The Hebrew word Nôb, represented by H5011, identifies Nob, a place in Palestine. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. The word is consistently used to refer to a specific location, most notably as a city of priests central to a key event in the life of David and King Saul.
In the biblical narrative, Nôb H5011 is primarily known as "the city of the priests" 1 Samuel 22:19. It is the place where David came H935 to Ahimelech H288 the priest H3548 while fleeing from Saul 1 Samuel 21:1. This visit was witnessed by Doeg the Edomite, who reported to Saul that David had come to Nôb to see Ahimelech H288, the son of Ahitub H285 1 Samuel 22:9. In a furious response, Saul summoned all the priests from their house H1004 in Nôb 1 Samuel 22:11 and then ordered the city H5892 to be smote H5221 with the edge of the sword H2719 1 Samuel 22:19. Nôb is also mentioned in a prophecy concerning the advance on Jerusalem Isaiah 10:32 and is listed as a town in Nehemiah Nehemiah 11:32.
Several related words provide context for the events at Nob:
- H3548 kôhên (priest): This term for one who officiates is central to Nob's identity, as it is repeatedly referred to as "the city H5892 of the priests" 1 Samuel 22:19.
- H5892 ʻîyr (city): This word, meaning a guarded place or town, defines Nob's status as a settlement that was home to the priestly families 1 Samuel 22:19.
- H5221 nâkâh (to strike): This word marks the tragic fate of Nob. Saul commanded that the city of the priests be smote with the sword, leading to its utter destruction 1 Samuel 22:19.
- H288 ʼĂchîymelek (Ahimelech): Meaning "brother of (the) king," he was the priest H3548 at Nôb who provided aid to David, an act for which he and his father's house were killed 1 Samuel 21:1.
The narrative weight of H5011 is significant, highlighting key themes from the books of Samuel.
- A Priestly Sanctuary: Nôb is established as a significant religious center, identified as "the city H5892 of the priests H3548," where the high priest Ahimelech H288 resided (1 Samuel 21:1, 1 Samuel 22:19).
- A Site of Political Brutality: The story of Nôb serves as a stark example of King Saul's paranoia and cruelty. His order to smite H5221 the city resulted in the slaughter of its entire population, including men H376, women H802, children H5768, and sucklings H3243 1 Samuel 22:19.
- A Catalyst for Conflict: David's arrival H935 in Nôb directly leads to the confrontation between Saul and the priesthood, escalating the conflict and marking a tragic episode in David's flight from the king 1 Samuel 22:9.
In summary, Nôb H5011 is not merely a geographical marker but a place of profound narrative importance. Primarily remembered as the "city of the priests," its story is defined by the sanctuary it offered to a desperate David and the subsequent brutal massacre ordered by a jealous King Saul. Its few mentions in Scripture are tied to a pivotal and tragic event in Israel's history.
TRV