King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:33 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:33 in the King James Version says “Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye h...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. transgressed: or, dealt treacherously”

1 Samuel 14:33 · KJV

Context

31

And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

32

And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.

33

Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. transgressed: or, dealt treacherously

34

And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. with him: Heb. in his hand

35

And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD. the same: Heb. that altar he began to build unto the LORD

Read 1 Samuel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.

Saul receives report that 'the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood.' His response - 'Ye have transgressed' - blames the people without acknowledging his oath's role in their desperation. He commands a great stone for proper slaughter, attempting to manage the crisis his leadership created. Saul addresses symptoms without recognizing cause. His pattern of deflecting responsibility while maintaining religious appearance continues.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'great stone' would serve as a proper slaughtering location where blood could drain appropriately. Saul's provision of correct procedure demonstrates awareness of the law his oath had caused people to violate. His response is managerial rather than repentant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do leaders sometimes address symptoms of problems they caused without acknowledging their role?
  2. What is the difference between managing consequences and repenting of causes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ1 of 17

“Then they told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לְשָׁאוּל֙2 of 17

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר3 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֥ה4 of 17
H2009

lo!

הָעָ֛ם5 of 17

“Behold the people”

H5971

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

חֹטִ֥אים6 of 17

“sin”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לַֽיהוָ֖ה7 of 17

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל8 of 17

“in that they eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

עַל9 of 17
H5921

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

הַדָּ֑ם10 of 17

“with the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר11 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּגַדְתֶּ֔ם12 of 17

“Ye have transgressed”

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

גֹּלּוּ13 of 17

“roll”

H1556

to roll (literally or figuratively)

אֵלַ֥י14 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיּ֖וֹם15 of 17

“unto me this day”

H3117

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

אֶ֥בֶן16 of 17

“stone”

H68

a stone

גְּדוֹלָֽה׃17 of 17

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 14:33 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 14:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 2:1

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