1 Samuel 13:5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

◄ 1 Samuel 13:5 ►

New International Version
The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven.

New Living Translation
The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven.

English Standard Version
And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

King James Bible
And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

New King James Version
Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven.

New American Standard Bible
Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

NASB 1995
Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

NASB 1977
Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

Amplified Bible
Now the Philistines gathered to fight against Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and troops in multitude, like sand on the seashore. They came up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

Christian Standard Bible
The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: 3,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

American Standard Version
And the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth-aven.

Contemporary English Version
The Philistines called their army together to fight Israel. They had 3,000 chariots, 6,000 cavalry, and as many foot soldiers as there are grains of sand on the beach. They went to Michmash and set up camp there east of Beth-Aven.

English Revised Version
And the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward of Beth-aven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Philistines assembled to fight against Israel. They had 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and as many soldiers as the sand on the seashore. They camped at Michmash, east of Beth Aven.

Good News Translation
The Philistines assembled to fight the Israelites; they had thirty thousand war chariots, six thousand cavalry troops, and as many soldiers as there are grains of sand on the seashore. They went to Michmash, east of Bethaven, and camped there.

International Standard Version
The Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and people as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And they advanced and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

NET Bible
For the battle with Israel the Philistines had amassed 3,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven.

New Heart English Bible
The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, and brought up against Israel three thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude: and they came up, and camped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.

World English Bible
The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel: thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the Philistines have been gathered to fight with Israel; thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and a people as the sand which [is] on the seashore for multitude; and they come up and encamp in Michmash, east of Beth-Aven.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Philistines have been gathered to fight with Israel; thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and a people as the sand which is on the sea-shore for multitude; and they come up and encamp in Michmash, east of Beth-Aven.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the rovers were gathered together to war with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is upon the lip of the sea for multitude: and they will come up and encamp in Michmash, east of the House of Nothing.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
The Philistines also were assembled to fight against Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and a multitude of people besides, like the sand on the sea shore for number. And going up they camped in Machmas at the east of Bethaven.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Philistines gathered to do battle against Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and the remainder of the common people, who were very many, like the sand that is on the shore of the sea. And ascending, they encamped at Michmash, toward the east of Bethaven.

New American Bible
The Philistines also assembled for battle against Israel, with thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and foot soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They came up and encamped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

New Revised Standard Version
The Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude; they came up and encamped at Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, three thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude; and they came up and encamped in Michmash, east of Beth-el.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Philistines were gathered to fight with Israel, three thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand that is upon the shore of the sea, an exceeding multitude. And they came up and they camped in Mekmas from the east of Bayth Eil

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude; and they came up, and pitched in Michmas, eastward of Beth-aven.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Philistines gather together to war with Israel; and then come up against Israel thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand by the seashore for multitude: and they come up, and encamp in Machmas, opposite Baethoron southward.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

War with the Philistines
…4And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. 5Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven. 6Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Judges 7:12
Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Joshua 11:4
So these kings came out with all their armies, a multitude as numerous as the sand on the seashore, along with a great number of horses and chariots.

Judges 6:5
For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it.

Judges 14:5
Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him,

1 Samuel 17:1
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

2 Samuel 5:18
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 5:22
Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

1 Kings 4:30
Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 10:26
Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1:14
Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Jeremiah 46:4
Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor!

Ezekiel 38:4
I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.

Matthew 24:6
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Luke 14:31
Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

Treasury of Scripture

And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

as the sand

Genesis 22:17
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Joshua 11:4
And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

Beth-aven

1 Samuel 14:23
So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.

Joshua 7:2
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

Joshua 18:12
And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.

Jump to Previous

Abundance Assembled Aven Beth Bethaven Chariots Eastward Encamped Horsemen Israel Michmas Michmash Multitude Philistines Pitched Sand Sea Seashore Sea-Shore Shore Six Themselves Thirty Thousand Together

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1 Samuel 13

1. Saul's select band
3. He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines
5. The Philistines' great army
6. The distress of the Israelites
8. Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices
11. Samuel reproves him
17. The three raiding parties of the Philistines
19. The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel

Berean Study Bible

Now the Philistines assembled
The Philistines were a formidable sea-faring people, often at odds with Israel. The Hebrew root for "assembled" (קָבַץ, qavats) implies a gathering for a specific purpose, often for war. This assembly signifies a deliberate and organized effort to confront Israel, highlighting the Philistines' strategic and military prowess. Historically, the Philistines were known for their advanced iron technology, which gave them a significant advantage in warfare.

to fight against Israel
The phrase underscores the ongoing conflict between the Philistines and the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "fight" (לָחַם, lacham) conveys a sense of engaging in battle or warfare. This conflict is not just physical but also spiritual, as Israel's battles often reflect their relationship with God. The Philistines' opposition to Israel can be seen as a challenge to God's chosen people and His divine plan.

with three thousand chariots
Chariots were a symbol of military strength and technological advancement in ancient warfare. The mention of "three thousand chariots" emphasizes the overwhelming military superiority of the Philistines. In the ancient Near East, chariots were akin to modern-day tanks, providing mobility and power on the battlefield. This detail highlights the dire situation for Israel, who lacked such resources.

six thousand horsemen
Horsemen, or cavalry, added speed and maneuverability to the Philistine forces. The Hebrew term for "horsemen" (פָּרָשִׁים, parashim) indicates trained riders, skilled in combat. The presence of such a large cavalry force further underscores the military might of the Philistines and the daunting challenge faced by the Israelites.

and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore
This hyperbolic expression is a common biblical idiom used to describe an innumerable multitude. It conveys the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Philistine forces. The imagery of "sand on the seashore" evokes a sense of vastness and insurmountability, emphasizing the seemingly impossible odds against which Israel must stand.

They went up and camped at Michmash
Michmash was a strategic location in the hill country of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem. The act of "camping" (חָנָה, chanah) suggests preparation for a prolonged engagement. Archaeological evidence indicates that Michmash was a fortified site, making it a significant military stronghold. The Philistines' choice of this location demonstrates their tactical acumen and intent to control key areas.

east of Beth-aven
Beth-aven, meaning "house of wickedness" in Hebrew, was near Bethel, a place of historical and spiritual significance for Israel. The mention of "east of Beth-aven" provides geographical context, situating the Philistine encampment in relation to known landmarks. This detail not only grounds the narrative in a real-world setting but also foreshadows the spiritual and moral challenges Israel faces, as Beth-aven symbolizes idolatry and deviation from God's path.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel.--The figures here, again, of the numbers of this vast army are perfectly untrustworthy. In the rolls of ancient armies (and we possess many a one in the sacred records) the number of war chariots is always smaller than that of the horsemen; here the chariots are represented as four times as numerous. In the rolls of the most famous armies there never appear anything like this number. For instance, Jabin (Judges 4:3) had 900 chariots. Pharaoh pursued Israel with 600. When David defeated Syria, the great Syrian army had 40,000 horsemen and 700 chariots. King Solomon is only reported (1Kings 10:26) to have possessed 1,400 chariots. Zerah the Ethiopian had but 300 in his vast army, and the Pharaoh Shishak 1,200. Here the more probable reading would be "300" not 30,000. Bishop Wordsworth endeavours to explain the vast array by a reference to Josephus, who relates that this Philistine force was composed of various nations; but this would never account for the incredible number of chariots. The Philistines evidently lost no time. While Saul was endeavouring to rally at Gilgal a Hebrew army, Philistia at once, with the aid of foreign allies, took the field, and with a large army--for it is clear their host on this occasion was very large--encamped no great distance from Gilgal, evidently determined once and for all to crush their enemies and their recently-elected daring king.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - Long before Saul could gather Israel the Philistines had completed their preparations, and invaded the country in overwhelming numbers; but thirty thousand chariots compared with six thousand horsemen is out of all proportion. Possibly the final l in Israel has been taken by some copyists for a numeral, and as it signifies thirty, it his changed 1000 into 30,000. Or, simpler still, shin, the numeral for 300, has been read with two dots, and so changed into 30,000. They came up, and pitched in Michmash. Saul had withdrawn eastward to Gilgal, and the Philistines had thus placed themselves between him and Jonathan. There is a difficulty, however, in the words eastward from Beth-aven; for as this, again, was east of Bethel, it puts the Philistines' camp too much to the east. As it is not, however, the regular phrase for eastward, some commentators render, "in front of Beth-avon." "It means 'the house of naught,' and was the name originally given to the desert east of Bethel, because of its barren character" (Conder, 'Tent Work,' 2:108). The Philistines, however, had come in such numbers that their camp must have occupied a large extent of ground.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now the Philistines
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֞ים (ū·p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

assembled
נֶאֶסְפ֣וּ ׀ (ne·’es·p̄ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

to fight
לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

with three
שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים (šə·lō·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth

thousand
אֶ֤לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

chariots,
רֶ֙כֶב֙ (re·ḵeḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone

six
וְשֵׁ֤שֶׁת (wə·šê·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

thousand
אֲלָפִים֙ (’ă·lā·p̄îm)
Number - masculine plural
Strong's 505: A thousand

horsemen,
פָּרָשִׁ֔ים (pā·rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6571: A steed, a driver, cavalry

and troops
וְעָ֕ם (wə·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

as numerous
לָרֹ֑ב (lā·rōḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

as the sand
כַּח֛וֹל (ka·ḥō·wl)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2344: Sand

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the seashore.
שְׂפַֽת־ (śə·p̄aṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

They went up
וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

and camped
וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ (way·ya·ḥă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

at Michmash,
בְמִכְמָ֔שׂ (ḇə·miḵ·māś)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4363: Michmash -- a city in Benjamin

east
קִדְמַ֖ת (qiḏ·maṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6926: The forward part, East

of
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 0: 0

Beth-aven.
אָֽוֶן׃ (’ā·wen)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1007: Beth-aven -- between

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OT History: 1 Samuel 13:5 The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)