1 Samuel 14:12
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲנוּ֩
answered
H6030
וַיַּֽעֲנוּ֩
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 26
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נֹשֵׂ֤א
and his armourbearer
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֤א
and his armourbearer
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
7 of 26
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כֵלָ֗יו
H3627
כֵלָ֗יו
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
8 of 26
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
עֲלֵ֣ה
Come up
H5927
עֲלֵ֣ה
Come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
10 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וְנוֹדִ֥יעָה
to us and we will shew
H3045
וְנוֹדִ֥יעָה
to us and we will shew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 26
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּבָ֑ר
you a thing
H1697
דָּבָ֑ר
you a thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
14 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
נֹשֵׂ֤א
and his armourbearer
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֤א
and his armourbearer
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
18 of 26
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כֵלָיו֙
H3627
כֵלָיו֙
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
19 of 26
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
עֲלֵ֣ה
Come up
H5927
עֲלֵ֣ה
Come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
20 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אַֽחֲרַ֔י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרַ֔י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נְתָנָ֥ם
hath delivered
H5414
נְתָנָ֥ם
hath delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
23 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֖ה
me for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
me for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
The Philistine phrase 'we will shew you a thing' likely meant 'we will teach you a lesson' - a threat of violence. Ancient Near Eastern warriors commonly exchanged taunts before combat. Jonathan hears divine confirmation where the enemy intended intimidation.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we hear God's voice even through hostile mockery?
- What does speaking of future deliverance in past tense reveal about the nature of faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
The garrison's mocking invitation - 'Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing' - provides the exact sign Jonathan sought. Their words drip with sarcasm, anticipating easy slaughter of the climbing Israelites. Jonathan's response - 'Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel' - transforms enemy mockery into prophetic confirmation. The Hebrew natan ('delivered' or 'given') treats the victory as already accomplished. Past tense faith claims future triumph.