1 Samuel 11:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this [condition] will I make [a covenant] with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it [for] a reproach upon all Israel.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Nachash the 'Amoni replied, "I'll do it on this condition: that all your right eyes be gouged out and thus bring disgrace on all of Isra'el."

Berean Standard Bible:

But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”

American Standard Version:

And Nahash the Ammonite said unto them, On this condition will I make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Nahash^{H5176} the Ammonite^{H5984} answered^{H559} them, On this^{H2063} condition will I make^{H3772} a covenant with you, that I may thrust out^{H5365} all your right^{H3225} eyes^{H5869}, and lay^{H7760} it for a reproach^{H2781} upon all Israel^{H3478}.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 11:2

1 Samuel 11:2 is a verse set within the historical context of the early monarchy period in Israel, shortly after the anointing of Saul as the first king. The verse specifically addresses a conflict between the Israelites and the Ammonites, who were one of their neighboring enemies. Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, is depicted as imposing a harsh and humiliating condition for a proposed treaty with the Israelite city of Jabesh-gilead, which was under siege by his forces.

The theme of this verse is one of oppression and the testing of a people's resolve. Nahash's demand to gouge out the right eyes of the Israelites is not only a tactic of physical mutilation that would weaken their military capabilities but also a profound psychological blow, intended to bring shame and fear upon all of Israel. This act would have rendered the Israelites defenseless and symbolically blinded them, stripping them of their honor and autonomy.

The historical significance of this verse is that it sets the stage for Saul's rise to power and military leadership. Saul's immediate and decisive response to this crisis, as detailed in the subsequent verses, galvanizes the Israelites and leads to a significant victory over the Ammonites. This victory serves as a catalyst for Saul's acceptance as king and demonstrates the divine support believed to be behind his reign. The verse thus captures a moment of existential threat to Israel and the emergence of a new era under its first monarch.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5176
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָחָשׁ
   Transliteration: Nâchâsh
   Pronunciation: naw-khawsh'
   Description: the same as נָחָשׁ; Nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-Israelite; Nahash.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5984
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַמּוֹנִי
   Transliteration: ʻAmmôwnîy
   Pronunciation: am-mo-nee'
   Description: patronymically from עַמּוֹן; an Ammonite or (the adjective) Ammonitish; Ammonite(-s).
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2063
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֹאת
   Transliteration: zôʼth
   Pronunciation: zothe'
   Description: irregular feminine of זֶה; this (often used adverb); hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3772
   There are 280 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּרַת
   Transliteration: kârath
   Pronunciation: kaw-rath'
   Description: a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces); be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5365
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָקַר
   Transliteration: nâqar
   Pronunciation: naw-kar'
   Description: a primitive root; to bore (penetrate, quarry); dig, pick out, pierce, put (thrust) out.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3225
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָמִין
   Transliteration: yâmîyn
   Pronunciation: yaw-meen'
   Description: from יָמַן; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south; [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
9. Strong's Number: H7760
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׂוּם
   Transliteration: sûwm
   Pronunciation: soom
   Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2781
    There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֶרְפָּה
    Transliteration: cherpâh
    Pronunciation: kher-paw'
    Description: from חָרַף; contumely, disgrace, the pudenda; rebuke, reproach(-fully), shame.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3478
    There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
    Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
    Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
    Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.