1 Samuel 17:46
This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
Original Language Analysis
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֡ה
H2088
יְהוָ֨ה
will the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
will the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּיָדִ֜י
thee into mine hand
H3027
בְּיָדִ֜י
thee into mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 27
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
וְהִכִּיתִ֗ךָ
and I will smite
H5221
וְהִכִּיתִ֗ךָ
and I will smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
6 of 27
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹֽאשְׁךָ֙
thine head
H7218
רֹֽאשְׁךָ֙
thine head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
9 of 27
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜י
from thee and I will give
H5414
וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜י
from thee and I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
פֶּ֣גֶר
the carcases
H6297
פֶּ֣גֶר
the carcases
Strong's:
H6297
Word #:
12 of 27
a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image
מַֽחֲנֵ֤ה
of the host
H4264
מַֽחֲנֵ֤ה
of the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
13 of 27
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
14 of 27
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
לְע֥וֹף
unto the fowls
H5775
לְע֥וֹף
unto the fowls
Strong's:
H5775
Word #:
17 of 27
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of the air
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of the air
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
18 of 27
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וּלְחַיַּ֣ת
and to the wild beasts
H2416
וּלְחַיַּ֣ת
and to the wild beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
19 of 27
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙
may know
H3045
וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙
may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
21 of 27
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
24 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֵ֥שׁ
that there is
H3426
יֵ֥שׁ
that there is
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
25 of 27
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
Cross References
Isaiah 52:10The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.2 Kings 19:19Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.Joshua 4:24That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.1 Kings 8:43Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.Deuteronomy 28:26And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.Isaiah 37:20Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.Exodus 9:16And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.Daniel 2:47The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.Psalms 46:10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.1 Samuel 17:44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare was viewed as conflict between national deities. Victory for Israel meant vindication of Yahweh over Dagon. The universal scope of David's vision ('all the earth') reflects Israel's calling to be a light to nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How might your current struggles, if overcome by faith, display God's reality to others?
- What does David's missional understanding teach about the purpose of spiritual victory?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
David's prophetic declaration of victory before battle demonstrates faith's certainty about God's promises. His stated purpose - 'that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel' - frames the conflict missionally. The victory would not merely save Israel but reveal Yahweh to the nations. David understood his role in redemptive history as displaying God's reality to a watching world.