King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:21 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:21 in the King James Version says “Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the cou... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

1 Samuel 14:21 · KJV


Context

19

And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. noise: or, tumult

20

And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. assembled: Heb. were cried together

21

Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

22

Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.

23

So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

The 'Hebrews that were with the Philistines beforetime' - Israelites who had defected or served the enemy - now 'turned to be with the Israelites.' Military success attracts those who abandoned the cause in difficult times. The description of these turncoats 'which went up with them into the camp round about' suggests they opportunistically joined the winning side. God's victory draws even the faithless back, though their return reflects self-interest more than faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israelites serving Philistines was common during periods of Philistine dominance. Economic necessity, fear, or pragmatism led some to collaborate with occupying forces. Such collaborators commonly switched allegiance when power dynamics shifted.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should faith communities receive those who return after abandoning the cause during difficulty?
  2. What distinguishes genuine repentance from opportunistic return?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהָֽעִבְרִ֗ים1 of 19

Moreover the Hebrews

H5680

an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber

הָי֤וּ2 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לַפְּלִשְׁתִּים֙3 of 19

that were with the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

כְּאֶתְמ֣וֹל4 of 19

before

H865

heretofore; definitely yesterday

שִׁלְשׁ֔וֹם5 of 19

that time

H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָל֥וּ7 of 19

which went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עִמָּ֛ם8 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה9 of 19

with them into the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

סָבִ֑יב10 of 19

from the country round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְגַם11 of 19
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֗מָּה12 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לִֽהְיוֹת֙13 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִם14 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל15 of 19

even they also turned to be with the Israelites

H3478

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עִם17 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

שָׁא֖וּל18 of 19

that were with Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וְיֽוֹנָתָֽן׃19 of 19

and Jonathan

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites


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 14:21 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 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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