1 Samuel 14:27
But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֗ע
heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֗ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּהַשְׁבִּ֣יעַ
charged
H7650
בְּהַשְׁבִּ֣יעַ
charged
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
4 of 23
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
אָבִיו֮
not when his father
H1
אָבִיו֮
not when his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
5 of 23
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָם֒
the people
H5971
הָעָם֒
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח
wherefore he put forth
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח
wherefore he put forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 23
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּטֶּה֙
of the rod
H4294
הַמַּטֶּה֙
of the rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
11 of 23
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
H3027
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 23
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
אוֹתָ֖הּ
H853
אוֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּיַעְרַ֣ת
it in an honeycomb
H3295
בְּיַעְרַ֣ת
it in an honeycomb
Strong's:
H3295
Word #:
16 of 23
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
הַדְּבָ֑שׁ
H1706
וַיָּ֤שֶׁב
and put
H7725
וַיָּ֤שֶׁב
and put
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
18 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
H3027
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
19 of 23
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
פִּ֔יו
to his mouth
H6310
פִּ֔יו
to his mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
21 of 23
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Cross References
1 Samuel 30:12And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.1 Samuel 14:29Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.1 Samuel 14:43Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
Historical Context
The phrase 'his eyes were enlightened' indicates recovery from the faintness of exhaustion. Ancient warriors recognized that extreme hunger affected vision and mental clarity. Jonathan's refreshment demonstrates the practical folly of Saul's oath.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jonathan's experience of blessing through ignorance of bad rules suggest about such rules?
- How does physical refreshment sometimes picture deeper spiritual truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
Jonathan's ignorance of the oath - 'Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people' - creates dramatic tension. He takes honey freely, and 'his eyes were enlightened' - physical refreshment that pictures spiritual truth. The Hebrew phrase for enlightened eyes (va-ta'ornah einav) describes renewed energy and clarity. Jonathan receives what his father prohibited, experiences blessing his father's oath denied the army. The one who initiated victory through faith now unknowingly violates the king's command.