King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 11:2 Mean?

1 Samuel 11:2 in the King James Version says “And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.”

1 Samuel 11:2 · KJV

Context

1

Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead : and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

2

And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

3

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. Give: Heb. Forbear us

4

Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.

Read 1 Samuel 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

Nahash's demand to gouge out every right eye served dual purposes: marking them permanently as conquered vassals and rendering them militarily useless, since ancient warriors held shields with their left hands, covering the left eye while aiming with the right. His intent to bring 'reproach upon all Israel' reveals this was not merely local aggression but a calculated assault on the covenant community's honor and their God's reputation. The Hebrew word cherpah (reproach) carries connotations of spiritual disgrace.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Eye-gouging was practiced by various ancient Near Eastern peoples as a form of punishment and subjugation. The Philistines would later blind Samson (Judges 16:21). Such mutilation served as a permanent, visible reminder of defeat and shame.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do enemies of the faith today seek to 'blind' believers and bring reproach upon God's people?
  2. What does Nahash's cruelty reveal about the nature of those who oppose God's purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

“answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם2 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נָחָשׁ֙3 of 17

“And Nahash”

H5176

nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite

הָֽעַמּוֹנִ֔י4 of 17

“the Ammonite”

H5984

an ammonite or (the adjective) ammonitish

בְּזֹאת֙5 of 17

“them On this”

H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֶכְרֹ֣ת6 of 17

“condition will I make”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לָכֶ֔ם7 of 17
H0
בִּנְק֥וֹר8 of 17

“a covenant with you that I may thrust out”

H5365

to bore (penetrate, quarry)

לָכֶ֖ם9 of 17
H0
כָּל10 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵ֣ין11 of 17

“eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יָמִ֑ין12 of 17

“all your right”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

וְשַׂמְתִּ֥יהָ13 of 17

“and lay”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

חֶרְפָּ֖ה14 of 17

“it for a reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

עַל15 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל16 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃17 of 17

“upon all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 11:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 11:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 17:26Genesis 34:14Numbers 16:14Judges 16:212 Kings 18:31Jeremiah 39:7

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 11 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes