1 Samuel 10:3
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
Original Language Analysis
וְחָֽלַפְתָּ֙
Then shalt thou go on
H2498
וְחָֽלַפְתָּ֙
Then shalt thou go on
Strong's:
H2498
Word #:
1 of 29
properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
מִשָּׁ֜ם
H8033
מִשָּׁ֜ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
2 of 29
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וָהָ֗לְאָה
forward
H1973
וָהָ֗לְאָה
forward
Strong's:
H1973
Word #:
3 of 29
to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far
וּבָ֙אתָ֙
from thence and thou shalt come
H935
וּבָ֙אתָ֙
from thence and thou shalt come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 29
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 29
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
תָּב֔וֹר
of Tabor
H8396
תָּב֔וֹר
of Tabor
Strong's:
H8396
Word #:
7 of 29
tabor, a mountain in palestine, also a city adjacent
וּמְצָא֤וּךָ
and there shall meet
H4672
וּמְצָא֤וּךָ
and there shall meet
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
שָּׁם֙
H8033
שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙
thee three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙
thee three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
10 of 29
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
men
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
11 of 29
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
עֹלִ֥ים
going up
H5927
עֹלִ֥ים
going up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 29
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
to God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
to God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 29
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
וְאֶחָ֥ד
and another
H259
וְאֶחָ֥ד
and another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
נֹשֵׂ֖א
carrying
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֖א
carrying
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
18 of 29
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙
thee three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙
thee three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
19 of 29
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
וְאֶחָ֥ד
and another
H259
וְאֶחָ֥ד
and another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
נֹשֵׂ֖א
carrying
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֖א
carrying
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
22 of 29
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙
thee three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙
thee three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
23 of 29
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
כִּכְּר֣וֹת
loaves
H3603
כִּכְּר֣וֹת
loaves
Strong's:
H3603
Word #:
24 of 29
a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l
לֶ֔חֶם
of bread
H3899
לֶ֔חֶם
of bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
25 of 29
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְאֶחָ֥ד
and another
H259
וְאֶחָ֥ד
and another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
26 of 29
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
נֹשֵׂ֖א
carrying
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֖א
carrying
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
27 of 29
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Cross References
Genesis 35:1And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.Genesis 35:3And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.Genesis 28:22And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.Genesis 28:19And he called the name of that place Beth-el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
Historical Context
Before Solomon's temple centralized worship in Jerusalem, multiple legitimate worship sites existed throughout Israel. Bethel held particular significance due to its patriarchal associations. The offerings described align with Levitical regulations for fellowship offerings, indicating continued religious observance despite the spiritual decline at Shiloh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does seeing God orchestrate the movements of multiple people strengthen your faith in His providence?
- What does the pilgrims' faithful worship during Israel's dark period teach about maintaining devotion in difficult times?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
The second sign involves an encounter with pilgrims traveling to Bethel for worship. The Hebrew 'elon' (translated 'plain') likely refers to the oak or terebinth of Tabor, a notable landmark. These three men carry the essential elements of sacrifice: kids (young goats) for the animal offering, bread as a grain offering accompaniment, and wine for the drink offering. Their journey 'up to God' (el-ha'elohim) reflects the theological understanding of worship as ascent into God's presence. Bethel, meaning 'house of God,' was where Jacob encountered God (Genesis 28) and remained a worship site before Jerusalem's centralization. This sign would demonstrate that God controls not only Saul's path but also the movements of all His people, weaving individual lives into His grand tapestry.