King James Version
1 Samuel 17:21 in the King James Version says “For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.”
1 Samuel 17:21 · KJV
Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. trench: or, place of the carriage fight: or, battle array, or, place of fight
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. his carriage: Heb. the vessels from upon him saluted: Heb. asked his brethren of peace
And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion , the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“had put the battle in array”
H6186to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
“For Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
“against”
H7125an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
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.
1 Samuel 17:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.