1 Samuel 22:19
And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֵ֨ת
H853
וְאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עִיר
the city
H5892
עִיר
the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
of the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
of the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 18
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הִכָּ֣ה
smote
H5221
הִכָּ֣ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
לְפִי
he with the edge
H6310
לְפִי
he with the edge
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
6 of 18
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
חָֽרֶב׃
of the sword
H2719
חָֽרֶב׃
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
7 of 18
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
מֵאִישׁ֙
both men
H376
מֵאִישׁ֙
both men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
12 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
Nob's destruction eliminated an entire religious center. The totality of slaughter—including nursing infants and livestock—matches the pattern of cherem warfare typically reserved for pagan enemies. This act represented unprecedented violence against Israelite religious infrastructure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Saul's destruction of Nob mirror and invert his failure with Amalek?
- What does this massacre teach about the trajectory of rejecting God's word?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
The total destruction of Nob employs cherem (ban) language—the complete annihilation vocabulary reserved for God's enemies like the Canaanites. The Hebrew phrase 'lefi cherev' (edge of the sword) appears twice for emphasis. The listing 'men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep' echoes the Amalekite destruction Saul was commanded to execute but refused (15:3). The terrible irony burns: Saul would not destroy Israel's enemies but utterly destroys Israel's priests. He practiced holy war against God's servants while sparing God's enemies. This inversion marks the complete moral collapse of Saul's reign.