King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:4 in the King James Version says “And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 14:4 · KJV


Context

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

6

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The detailed topography - 'a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side' named Bozez and Seneh - emphasizes the impossible terrain Jonathan must negotiate. The Hebrew shen ('tooth' or 'sharp rock') pictures jagged cliffs. This geographic specificity serves theological purposes: God receives glory because human capability cannot explain the victory. Faith confronts impossible circumstances directly rather than seeking easier alternatives. The named rocks become witnesses to divine deliverance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The pass of Michmash was carved by the Wadi Suweinit, creating dramatic cliff faces. Archaeological surveys confirm this terrain matches the biblical description. The names Bozez ('shining') and Seneh ('thorny') may describe physical characteristics of the rock formations.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture sometimes provide detailed descriptions of impossible obstacles before deliverance?
  2. How do 'named witnesses' in your life testify to God's power over impossible situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וּבֵ֣ין1 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַֽמַּעְבְּר֗וֹת2 of 23

And between the passages

H4569

a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e., (figuratively) overwhelming

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 23
H834

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

בִּקֵּ֤שׁ4 of 23

sought

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

יֽוֹנָתָן֙5 of 23

by which Jonathan

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

לַֽעֲבֹר֙6 of 23

to go over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עַל7 of 23
H5921

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

מַצַּ֣ב8 of 23

garrison

H4673

a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים9 of 23

unto the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְשֵׁן10 of 23

and a sharp

H8127

a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff

הַסֶּ֥לַע11 of 23

rock

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר12 of 23

on the one side

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

מִזֶּ֔ה13 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְשֵׁן14 of 23

and a sharp

H8127

a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff

הַסֶּ֥לַע15 of 23

rock

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר16 of 23

on the one side

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

מִזֶּ֑ה17 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְשֵׁ֥ם18 of 23

and the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הָֽאֶחָ֖ד19 of 23

of the one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בּוֹצֵ֔ץ20 of 23

was Bozez

H949

botsets, a rock near michmash

וְשֵׁ֥ם21 of 23

and the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הָֽאֶחָ֖ד22 of 23

of the one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

סֶֽנֶּה׃23 of 23

Seneh

H5573

seneh, a crag in palestine


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 14:4 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 14:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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