1 Samuel 25:22
So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹ֣ה
So
H3541
וְכֹ֣ה
So
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַעֲשֶׂ֧ה
also do
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂ֧ה
also do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְכֹ֣ה
So
H3541
וְכֹ֣ה
So
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יֹסִ֑יף
and more
H3254
יֹסִ֑יף
and more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
7 of 16
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 16
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אַשְׁאִ֧יר
if I leave
H7604
אַשְׁאִ֧יר
if I leave
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַד
of all that pertain to him by
H5704
עַד
of all that pertain to him by
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
13 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַבֹּ֖קֶר
the morning
H1242
הַבֹּ֖קֶר
the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
Cross References
1 Kings 14:10Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.1 Samuel 3:17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.1 Samuel 20:13The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.1 Kings 21:21Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,Ruth 1:17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Historical Context
Self-curse oaths were binding commitments invoking divine punishment for failure to fulfill. The idiom about males was crude but common in Hebrew texts. David's oath to kill all males represented total household destruction, since women and children without male protection faced severe consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- How can righteous anger cross the line into sinful oath-making?
- What does David's extreme oath teach about the dangers of acting in anger?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
David's oath reveals how far anger has carried him. The self-curse formula 'so and more also do God' (Hebrew 'koh ya'aseh elohim') invokes divine punishment on himself if he fails to execute vengeance. The crude phrase 'any that pisseth against the wall' is a Hebrew idiom for males—David swore to kill every male in Nabal's household. This total destruction oath echoes cherem warfare against Canaanites. The phrase 'by the morning light' establishes deadline for completed massacre. David, who spared Saul when God delivered him into his hand, now swore to slaughter an entire household over insults. Anger had transformed the man after God's heart into potential mass murderer. Only Abigail's intervention would prevent this disaster.