1 Samuel 13:19
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמָּצֵ֔א
found
H4672
יִמָּצֵ֔א
found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
3 of 15
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
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֶ֣רֶץ
throughout all the land
H776
אֶ֣רֶץ
throughout all the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
5 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
for the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
for the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
9 of 15
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
פֶּ֚ן
H6435
פֶּ֚ן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יַֽעֲשׂ֣וּ
make
H6213
יַֽעֲשׂ֣וּ
make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הָֽעִבְרִ֔ים
Lest the Hebrews
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִ֔ים
Lest the Hebrews
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
12 of 15
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
חֶ֖רֶב
them swords
H2719
חֶ֖רֶב
them swords
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
13 of 15
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
2 Kings 24:14And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.Jeremiah 24:1The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.Judges 5:8They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
Historical Context
Iron-working technology was a closely guarded secret in the ancient Near East. The Philistines, possibly descendants of Aegean peoples, possessed advanced metallurgy that gave them significant military advantage. This iron monopoly explains Philistine military dominance during this period.
Questions for Reflection
- How do oppressive powers use economic and technological control to maintain dominance?
- What does God's deliverance despite technological disadvantage teach about trusting Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
The narrator explains Israel's military weakness: 'there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel.' Philistine control of iron-working technology created complete dependence and military vulnerability. This technological subjugation ('Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears') reveals the depth of Israel's oppression. The situation parallels modern economic and technological colonialism. Yet God would deliver Israel despite this disadvantage, demonstrating that victory depends not on superior technology but on divine power.