King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:3 in the King James Version says “And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, weari... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. Ahiah: called Ahimelech

1 Samuel 14:3 · KJV


Context

1

Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side . But he told not his father. it came: or, there was a day

2

And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;

3

And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. Ahiah: called Ahimelech

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.

5

The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. forefront: Heb. tooth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

The genealogy of Ahijah connects back to Eli's doomed house - he is 'I-chabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli.' The ephod he wears represents legitimate priestly access to divine guidance through Urim and Thummim. Yet Saul's consultation of this priest will prove problematic (verses 18-19). The notation that 'the people knew not that Jonathan was gone' emphasizes the secret, individual nature of Jonathan's faith venture. Corporate Israel was unaware of the deliverance being initiated.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ahijah's connection to Eli's house is significant given God's judgment on that family (1 Samuel 2:27-36). The ephod contained the Urim and Thummim, used for obtaining divine guidance through yes/no questions. Saul's relationship with this priestly line would prove increasingly problematic.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes use individuals acting alone to deliver the larger community?
  2. What does Jonathan's secrecy suggest about his assessment of his father's spiritual state?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַֽאֲחִיָּ֣ה1 of 20

And Ahiah

H281

achijah, the name of nine israelites

בֶּן2 of 20

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲחִט֡וּב3 of 20

of Ahitub

H285

achitub, the name of several priests

אֲחִ֡י4 of 20

brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אִֽיכָב֣וֹד׀5 of 20

Ichabod's

H350

ikabod, a son of phineas

בֶּן6 of 20

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

פִּֽינְחָ֨ס7 of 20

of Phinehas

H6372

pinechas, the name of three israelites

בֶּן8 of 20

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֵלִ֜י9 of 20

of Eli

H5941

eli, an israelite highpriest

כֹּהֵ֧ן׀10 of 20

priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 20

the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּשִׁל֖וֹ12 of 20

in Shiloh

H7887

shiloh, a place in palestine

נֹשֵׂ֣א13 of 20

wearing

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֵפ֑וֹד14 of 20

an ephod

H646

a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image

וְהָעָם֙15 of 20

And the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לֹ֣א16 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדַ֔ע17 of 20

knew

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֥י18 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הָלַ֖ךְ19 of 20

was gone

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

יֽוֹנָתָֽן׃20 of 20

not that 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 14:3 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 14:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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