1 Samuel 13:17
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵ֧א
came out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֧א
came out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַמַּשְׁחִ֛ית
And the spoilers
H7843
הַמַּשְׁחִ֛ית
And the spoilers
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
2 of 15
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
מִמַּֽחֲנֵ֥ה
of the camp
H4264
מִמַּֽחֲנֵ֥ה
of the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
3 of 15
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
4 of 15
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
in three
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
in three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
5 of 15
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
הָרֹ֨אשׁ
companies
H7218
הָרֹ֨אשׁ
companies
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
6 of 15
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הָרֹ֨אשׁ
companies
H7218
הָרֹ֨אשׁ
companies
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
7 of 15
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
יִפְנֶ֛ה
turned
H6437
יִפְנֶ֛ה
turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
9 of 15
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
unto the way
H1870
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
unto the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
11 of 15
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
עָפְרָ֖ה
that leadeth to Ophrah
H6084
עָפְרָ֖ה
that leadeth to Ophrah
Strong's:
H6084
Word #:
12 of 15
ophrah, the name of an israelite and of two places in palestine
Historical Context
The three-pronged raiding strategy was standard ancient military practice for terrorizing occupied territory and preventing coordinated resistance. Ophrah was Gideon's hometown; Beth-horon controlled the main route to the coastal plain; the wilderness route threatened the Jordan valley settlements.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the consequences of leadership failure affect those under that leadership?
- What pattern do you see between spiritual unfaithfulness and practical vulnerability?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
The Philistine raiding parties operating 'in three companies' demonstrate complete military initiative. They strike in three directions: toward Ophrah (north), Beth-horon (west), and the wilderness (east) - systematically devastating Israelite territory while Saul remains passive. The Hebrew mashchit ('spoilers' or 'destroyers') emphasizes their intent not merely to raid but to devastate. This military humiliation resulted directly from Saul's spiritual failure at Gilgal - sin's consequences extend far beyond the individual.