King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, [thou wast] slain in thine high places.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"How the heroes have fallen in the heat of battle, Y'honatan killed on your high places!
Berean Standard Bible:
How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
American Standard Version:
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
How are the mighty{H1368} fallen{H5307} in the midst{H8432} of the battle{H4421}! O Jonathan{H3083}, thou wast slain{H2491} in thine high places{H1116}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Samuel 1:19
- The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
2 Samuel 1:27
- How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
Judges 5:18
- Zebulun and Naphtali [were] a people [that] jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
1 Samuel 14:13
- And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
1 Samuel 14:15
- And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
Lamentations 5:16
- The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Samuel 1:25
2 Samuel 1:25 is a poignant lament uttered by David upon hearing the news of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. The verse captures the grief and disbelief at the loss of these mighty warriors, focusing particularly on Jonathan, who was not only Saul's son but also David's close friend. The historical context is set during the tumultuous period of transition between Saul's reign and David's future kingship. The Philistines were at war with Israel, and in the battle at Mount Gilboa, Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, were killed.
The theme of this verse is the tragic fall of the mighty and the sorrow that accompanies the loss of those who were once strong and vibrant. It speaks to the vulnerability of life and the suddenness with which death can alter the course of history. David's lament reflects his personal anguish over the death of Jonathan, whose friendship he cherished deeply. The mention of Jonathan being slain "in thine high places" suggests not only a physical location where the battle took place but also symbolizes the high stature Jonathan held in David's heart and in the nation of Israel.
This verse is part of a larger poem known as the "Song of the Bow," which is a powerful expression of mourning and a tribute to the fallen. It encapsulates the human response to loss—shock, sorrow, and the recognition of the fleeting nature of human power and life. The verse also foreshadows the complex relationship between David's deep affection for Jonathan and the political implications of Saul's and Jonathan's deaths, which eventually pave the way for David's rise to the throne of a united Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1368
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּבּוֹר
Transliteration: gibbôwr
Pronunciation: ghib-bore'
Description: or גִּבֹּר; (shortened) intensive from the same as גֶּבֶר; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant; champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. - Strong's Number: H5307
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָפַל
Transliteration: nâphal
Pronunciation: naw-fal'
Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. - Strong's Number: H8432
There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
Transliteration: tâvek
Pronunciation: taw'-vek
Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). - Strong's Number: H4421
There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
Transliteration: milchâmâh
Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). - Strong's Number: H3083
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוֹנָתָן
Transliteration: Yᵉhôwnâthân
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-naw-thawn'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and נָתַן; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites; Jonathan. Compare יוֹנָתָן. - Strong's Number: H2491
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלָל
Transliteration: châlâl
Pronunciation: khaw-lawl'
Description: from חָלַל; pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted; kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded. - Strong's Number: H1116
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּמָה
Transliteration: bâmâh
Pronunciation: bam-maw'
Description: from an unused root (meaning to be high); an elevation; height, high place, wave.