1 Samuel 14:4
And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
Original Language Analysis
וּבֵ֣ין
H996
וּבֵ֣ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
1 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַֽמַּעְבְּר֗וֹת
And between the passages
H4569
הַֽמַּעְבְּר֗וֹת
And between the passages
Strong's:
H4569
Word #:
2 of 23
a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e., (figuratively) overwhelming
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּקֵּ֤שׁ
sought
H1245
בִּקֵּ֤שׁ
sought
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
4 of 23
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
to go over
H5674
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
to go over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
6 of 23
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַצַּ֣ב
garrison
H4673
מַצַּ֣ב
garrison
Strong's:
H4673
Word #:
8 of 23
a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
unto the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
unto the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
9 of 23
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְשֵׁן
and a sharp
H8127
וְשֵׁן
and a sharp
Strong's:
H8127
Word #:
10 of 23
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
הַסֶּ֥לַע
rock
H5553
הַסֶּ֥לַע
rock
Strong's:
H5553
Word #:
11 of 23
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר
on the one side
H5676
מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר
on the one side
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
מִזֶּ֔ה
H2088
וְשֵׁן
and a sharp
H8127
וְשֵׁן
and a sharp
Strong's:
H8127
Word #:
14 of 23
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
הַסֶּ֥לַע
rock
H5553
הַסֶּ֥לַע
rock
Strong's:
H5553
Word #:
15 of 23
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר
on the one side
H5676
מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר
on the one side
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
מִזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
H8034
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
18 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
of the one
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
of the one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
H8034
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
21 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Historical Context
The pass of Michmash was carved by the Wadi Suweinit, creating dramatic cliff faces. Archaeological surveys confirm this terrain matches the biblical description. The names Bozez ('shining') and Seneh ('thorny') may describe physical characteristics of the rock formations.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture sometimes provide detailed descriptions of impossible obstacles before deliverance?
- How do 'named witnesses' in your life testify to God's power over impossible situations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
The detailed topography - 'a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side' named Bozez and Seneh - emphasizes the impossible terrain Jonathan must negotiate. The Hebrew shen ('tooth' or 'sharp rock') pictures jagged cliffs. This geographic specificity serves theological purposes: God receives glory because human capability cannot explain the victory. Faith confronts impossible circumstances directly rather than seeking easier alternatives. The named rocks become witnesses to divine deliverance.