1 Samuel 11:2
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
Original Language Analysis
נָחָשׁ֙
And Nahash
H5176
נָחָשׁ֙
And Nahash
Strong's:
H5176
Word #:
3 of 17
nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite
הָֽעַמּוֹנִ֔י
the Ammonite
H5984
הָֽעַמּוֹנִ֔י
the Ammonite
Strong's:
H5984
Word #:
4 of 17
an ammonite or (the adjective) ammonitish
אֶכְרֹ֣ת
condition will I make
H3772
אֶכְרֹ֣ת
condition will I make
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
6 of 17
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בִּנְק֥וֹר
a covenant with you that I may thrust out
H5365
בִּנְק֥וֹר
a covenant with you that I may thrust out
Strong's:
H5365
Word #:
8 of 17
to bore (penetrate, quarry)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵ֣ין
eyes
H5869
עֵ֣ין
eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
11 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יָמִ֑ין
all your right
H3225
יָמִ֑ין
all your right
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
12 of 17
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
וְשַׂמְתִּ֥יהָ
and lay
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֥יהָ
and lay
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 17
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
1 Samuel 17:26And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?Genesis 34:14And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:Numbers 16:14Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
Historical Context
Eye-gouging was practiced by various ancient Near Eastern peoples as a form of punishment and subjugation. The Philistines would later blind Samson (Judges 16:21). Such mutilation served as a permanent, visible reminder of defeat and shame.
Questions for Reflection
- How do enemies of the faith today seek to 'blind' believers and bring reproach upon God's people?
- What does Nahash's cruelty reveal about the nature of those who oppose God's purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
Nahash's demand to gouge out every right eye served dual purposes: marking them permanently as conquered vassals and rendering them militarily useless, since ancient warriors held shields with their left hands, covering the left eye while aiming with the right. His intent to bring 'reproach upon all Israel' reveals this was not merely local aggression but a calculated assault on the covenant community's honor and their God's reputation. The Hebrew word cherpah (reproach) carries connotations of spiritual disgrace.