1 Samuel 14:21

Contextual Overview

¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and saw that the multitude melted away, and they went [here] and there. ¹⁶ Saul's lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight—the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction. ¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went [hither] and thither. ¹⁶ Saul's guards were at Gibeah in the land of Benjamin when they saw the Philistine soldiers running in every direction. ¹⁶ Saul's watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin looked on as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another. ¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down [one another]. ¹⁶ The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went [here] and there. ¹⁶Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away and they went here and there. ¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. ¹⁶ And aspyeris of Saul bihelden, that weren in Gabaa of Beniamyn, and lo! a multitude cast doun, and fleynge awei hidur and thidur.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the Hebrews: Probably such as they held in bondage, or who were their servants. Instead of (haivrim) "the Hebrews," the LXX evidently read haavdim, for they have ןי הןץכןי, "the slaves;" but this reading is not countenanced by any other version, nor by any manuscript 1 Samuel 29:4, Judges 7:23

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:52 - the men of Israel

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time,.... Who either were their servants and bondsmen they brought along with them, or such in whose cities they dwelt, or had taken as they came along, and forced into their army; or it may be some of them were renegades from the Israelites, deserters, who for safety and subsistence betook themselves to them as the stronger party. The Greek version reads,

"the servants that were with the Philistines:''

which went up with them into the camp [from the country] round about; either willingly or by force; the words, "from the country", are not in the text, wherefore some observe, as Kimchi and Abarbinel, that this respects their being round about the camp, and that they were not within it, but without it, that if possible they might escape fighting against the Israelites:

even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan; who were now joined; when they saw the dread and confusion in the camp of the Philistines, and them destroying one another, and the Israelites prevailing over them, victorious and pursuing, they took part with them, and assisted them in completing the victory.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 14:21. The Hebrews that were with the Philistines — We may understand such as they held in bondage, or who were their servants. Instead of Hebrews the Septuagint read, οι δουλοι, the slaves; from which it is evident that, instead of עברים Ibrim, Hebrews, they found in their text עבדים abadim, servants. But this reading is not countenanced by any other version, nor by any MS. yet discovered.