Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, July 24th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

JPS Old Testament

1 Samuel 17:3

And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side; and there was a valley between them.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Thompson Chain Reference - Bible Stories for Children;   Children;   Home;   Pleasant Sunday Afternoons;   Religion;   Stories for Children;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies;   Valleys;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Elah;   Goliath;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Philistia, philistines;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Encamp;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Elah, Valley of;   Encampment;   Vale;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - David;   Giant;   Mount, Mountain;   Samuel, Books of;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Goliath;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them.
Hebrew Names Version
The Pelishtim stood on the mountain on the one side, and Yisra'el stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
King James Version
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
Lexham English Bible
The Philistines were standing on the hill on one side and the army of Israel was standing on the hill on the other side with the valley between them.
English Standard Version
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
New Century Version
The Philistines controlled one hill while the Israelites controlled another. The valley was between them.
New English Translation
The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites on another hill, with the valley between them.
Amplified Bible
The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side and Israel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
New American Standard Bible
The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side, while Israel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the Philistims stoode on a mountaine on the one side, and Israel stoode on a mountaine on the other side: so a valley was betweene them.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now the Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
Complete Jewish Bible
The P'lishtim occupied a position on one hill and Isra'el a position on another hill, with a valley between them.
Darby Translation
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side; and the ravine was between them.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Philistines were on one hill. The Israelites were on the other hill. The valley was between them.
George Lamsa Translation
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, and the valley was between them.
Good News Translation
The Philistines lined up on one hill and the Israelites on another, with a valley between them.
Literal Translation
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on this side , and Israel stood on the mountain on that side , and the valley between them.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the Philistynes stode vpon a hyll on the one syde, and the Israelites vpon a hyll on the other syde, so that there was a valley betwene them.
American Standard Version
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
Bible in Basic English
The Philistines were stationed on the mountain on one side and Israel on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the Philistines stoode on a mountaine on the one syde, and Israel stoode on a mountaine on the other syde, and there was a valley betweene them.
King James Version (1611)
And the Philistines stood on a mountaine on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountaine on the other side: and there was a valley betweene them.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the Philistines stand on the mountain on one side, and Israel stands on the mountain on the other side, and the valley was between them.
English Revised Version
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
Berean Standard Bible
The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Filisteis stoden aboue the hil on this part, and Israel stood on the hil on the tother part of the valey, that was bitwixe hem.
Young's Literal Translation
And the Philistines are standing on the mountain on this side, and the Israelites are standing on the mountain on that side, and the valley [is] between them.
Update Bible Version
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and [there was] a valley between them.
World English Bible
The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
New King James Version
The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
New Living Translation
So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.
New Life Bible
The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
New Revised Standard
The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, the Philistines, were standing near the hill on one side, and, the Israelites, were standing near the hill on the other side, - while, the valley, was between them.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
Revised Standard Version
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.

Contextual Overview

1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched in the vale of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. 3 And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side; and there was a valley between them. 4 And there went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. 6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders. 7 And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. 8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them: 'Why do ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.' 10 And the Philistine said: 'I do taunt the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.'

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 21:21 - Shimeah

Cross-References

Genesis 17:17
Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart: 'Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?'
Genesis 17:18
And Abraham said unto God: 'Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!'
Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
Genesis 17:24
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Exodus 3:6
Moreover He said: 'I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Numbers 14:5
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
Numbers 16:22
And they fell upon their faces, and said: 'O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation?'
Numbers 16:45
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jps" data-ref="num.16.1" class="versetxt"> Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up in face of Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty men; they were princes of the congregation, the elect men of the assembly, men of renown; and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them: 'Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them; wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?' And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face. And he spoke unto Korah and unto all his company, saying: 'In the morning the LORD will show who are His, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto Him; even him whom He may choose will He cause to come near unto Him. This do: take you censors, Korah, and all his company; and put fire therein, and put incense upon them before the LORD to-morrow; and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy; ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.' And Moses said unto Korah: 'Hear now, ye sons of Levi: is it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them; and that He hath brought thee near, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee? and will ye seek the priesthood also? Therefore thou and all thy company that are gathered together against the LORD--; and as to Aaron, what is he that ye murmur against him?' And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said: 'We will not come up; is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, but thou must needs make thyself also a prince over us? Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards; wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.' And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD: 'Respect not Thou their offering; I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.' And Moses said unto Korah: 'Be thou and all thy congregation before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to-morrow; and take ye every man his fire-pan, and put incense upon them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his fire-pan, two hundred and fifty fire-pans; thou also, and Aaron, each his fire-pan.' And they took every man his fire-pan, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood at the door of the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron. And Korah assembled all the congregation against them unto the door of the tent of meeting; and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: 'Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.' And they fell upon their faces, and said: 'O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation?' And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Speak unto the congregation, saying: Get you up from about the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spoke unto the congregation, saying: 'Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be swept away in all their sins.' So they got them up from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side; and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, and their sons, and their little ones. And Moses said: 'Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works, and that I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, and be visited after the visitation of all men, then the LORD hath not sent Me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the ground open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down alive into the pit, then ye shall understand that these men have despised the LORD.' And it came to pass, as he made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground did cleave asunder that was under them. And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. So they, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit; and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the assembly. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them; for they said: 'Lest the earth swallow us up.' And fire came forth from the LORD, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.
Joshua 5:14
And he said: 'Nay, but I am captain of the host of the LORD; I am now come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said unto him: 'What saith my lord unto his servant?'
Judges 13:20
For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar; and Manoah and his wife looked on; and they fell on their faces to the ground.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, e.] Before the Israelites are said to encamp in or by the valley but here they are said to take the higher ground, and face the Philistines, who were on a mountain or hill on the other side over against them, which Kimchi reconciles thus; the whole or the grand army lay encamped in the valley, and, they that were set in array, or the first ranks, the first battalion, ascended the mountain to meet the Philistines. Vatablus takes it to be the same mountain, that on one part of it the Philistines formed their first battalion, and the rest of the army was in the valley; and on the other part of the mountain the Israelites pitched their camp:

and there was a valley between them; the same as in the preceding verse.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

(In the middle of the broad open valley 1 Samuel 17:2 is a deep trench 1 Samuel 17:3 with vertical sides, a valley within a valley: the sides and bed of the trench are strewn with water-worn pebbles. (Conder.))

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 17:3. The Philistines stood on a mountain — These were two eminences or hills, from which they could see and talk with each other.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile