1 Samuel 14:13
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַל
climbed up
H5927
וַיַּ֣עַל
climbed up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָדָיו֙
upon his hands
H3027
יָדָיו֙
upon his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְלָ֔יו
and upon his feet
H7272
רַגְלָ֔יו
and upon his feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 16
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א
and his armourbearer
H5375
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א
and his armourbearer
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
7 of 16
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כֵלָ֖יו
H3627
כֵלָ֖יו
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
8 of 16
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃
after
H310
אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙
him and they fell
H5307
וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙
him and they fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
10 of 16
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א
and his armourbearer
H5375
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א
and his armourbearer
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
13 of 16
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כֵלָ֖יו
H3627
כֵלָ֖יו
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
14 of 16
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
Historical Context
The technique described - lead warrior wounding, following warrior killing - was efficient ancient combat method. Jonathan's ability to strike effectively while completing a difficult climb suggests supernatural enablement. The garrison's inability to repel two climbing attackers indicates divine confusion among the defenders.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God multiply effectiveness when we act in faith-driven obedience?
- What impossible 'climbs' is God calling you to attempt?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
Jonathan's climb 'upon his hands and upon his feet' pictures the physical difficulty of the ascent. The immediate result - 'they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him' - describes devastating effectiveness. Jonathan strikes; his armor-bearer follows to finish the fallen. The climbing attack succeeds beyond any tactical explanation. God's power flows through human obedience, turning what should be slaughter of climbers into rout of defenders. Two men overthrow a garrison through faith.