1 Samuel 7:11
And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֨צְא֜וּ
went out
H3318
וַיֵּ֨צְא֜וּ
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
And the men
H582
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
And the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ
and pursued
H7291
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ
and pursued
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
6 of 13
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
8 of 13
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וַיַּכּ֕וּם
and smote
H5221
וַיַּכּ֕וּם
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
9 of 13
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
Beth-car's location remains debated - suggestions include modern Ain Karim or a site further into Philistine territory. The pattern of divine deliverance followed by human pursuit appears in Exodus 14:23-28, Joshua 10:10-11, and elsewhere. Mizpeh's elevation would have aided observation of retreating Philistines.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance waiting for God's initiative with actively pursuing what He has given?
- What victories has God won that you need to 'pursue' through faithful action?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
Israel's role was response to divine initiative. After God routed the enemy with supernatural thunder, 'the men of Israel went out' to pursue. The Hebrew 'radaph' (pursue) indicates aggressive chase of fleeing enemies. Their striking ('nakah') the Philistines transformed divine victory into territorial gain. Beth-car ('house of pasture' or 'house of the lamb') appears only here in Scripture, its location uncertain but likely marking significant distance from Mizpeh. The pursuit 'until' ('ad') this point suggests sustained military action completing what God's thunder began. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God delivers, people respond in faith-action. Neither passivity (expecting God to do everything) nor presumption (acting without divine initiative) characterizes biblical faith. Israel pursued because God had already given victory.