1 Samuel 17:52
New International Version
Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

New Living Translation
Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.

English Standard Version
And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

King James Bible
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

New King James Version
Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron.

New American Standard Bible
Then the men of Israel and Judah rose up and shouted, and they pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the Philistine dead lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.

NASB 1995
The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.

NASB 1977
And the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay fallen along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.

Amplified Bible
The men of Israel and Judah stood with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and the gates of Ekron. And the [fatally] wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron.

Christian Standard Bible
The men of Israel and Judah rallied, shouting their battle cry, and chased the Philistines to the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Philistine bodies were strewn all along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The men of Israel and Judah rallied, shouting their battle cry, and chased the Philistines to the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Philistine bodies were strewn all along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

American Standard Version
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou comest to Gai, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

Contemporary English Version
But the soldiers of Israel and Judah let out a battle cry and went after them as far as Gath and Ekron. The bodies of the Philistines were scattered all along the road from Shaaraim to Gath and Ekron.

English Revised Version
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou comest to Gai, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the soldiers of Israel and Judah rose up, shouted a battle cry, and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines lay on the road to Shaaraim and all the way to Gath and Ekron.

Good News Translation
The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them, pursuing them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.

International Standard Version
The men of Israel and Judah got up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

NET Bible
Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward, shouting a battle cry. They chased the Philistines to the valley and to the very gates of Ekron. The Philistine corpses lay fallen along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

New Heart English Bible
The men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued them as far as Gath, and to the gates of Ekron. The wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron.

World English Bible
The men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as Gai and to the gates of Ekron. The wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and to Ekron.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the men of Israel rise—also Judah—and shout, and pursue the Philistines until you enter the valley, and to the gates of Ekron, and the wounded of the Philistines fall in the way of Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron,

Young's Literal Translation
And the men of Israel rise -- also Judah -- and shout, and pursue the Philistines till thou enter the valley, and unto the gates of Ekron, and the wounded of the Philistines fall in the way of Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men of Israel and Judah will rise and shout, and pursue the rovers till thy coming to the valley, and even to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the rovers will fall in the way of the gates, and even to Gath, and even to Ekron.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the men of Israel and Juda rising up shouted, and pursued after the Philistines till they came to the valley and to the gates of Accaron, and there fell many wounded of the Philistines in the way of Saraim, and as far as Geth, and as far as Accaron.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the men of Israel and Judah, rising up, shouted and pursued after the Philistines, even until they arrived at the valley and as far as the gates of Ekron. And many wounded among the Philistines fell on the way of Shaaraim, and as far as Gath, and as far as Ekron.

New American Bible
Then the men of Israel and Judah sprang up with a battle cry and pursued them to the approaches of Gath and to the gates of Ekron, and Philistines fell wounded along the road from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.

New Revised Standard Version
The troops of Israel and Judah rose up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and as far as the valley of Ekron. And the slain of the Philistines fell by the way of Shaarain, even to Gath and to Ekron.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men of Israel and of Yehuda rose up, and they took heart and they pursued the Philistines unto the entrance of the valley and unto the valley of Aqroon, and the slain of the Philistines fell in the way of Sharin and unto Gath and unto Akrun
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou comest to Gai, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men of Israel and Juda arose, and shouted and pursued them as far as the entrance to Geth, and as far as the gate of Ascalon: and the slain men of the Philistines fell in the way of the gates, both to Geth, and to Accaron.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Slays Goliath
51David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him; and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53When the Israelites returned from their pursuit of the Philistines, they plundered their camps.…

Cross References
Joshua 10:10-11
And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. / As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites.

Judges 7:21-23
Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. / And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. / Then the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and they pursued the Midianites.

2 Samuel 23:10
but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

2 Kings 7:7-8
Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives. / When the lepers reached the edge of the camp, they went into a tent to eat and drink. Then they carried off the silver, gold, and clothing, and went and hid them. On returning, they entered another tent, carried off some items from there, and hid them.

Exodus 14:25
He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”

Judges 4:15-16
And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. / Then Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left.

2 Chronicles 20:22-24
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. / When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

Isaiah 37:36-37
Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

1 Samuel 14:20-23
Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor. / And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps to join the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. / When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit. ...

2 Samuel 22:38-39
I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

Psalm 18:37-38
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

Psalm 44:5
Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.

Psalm 60:12
With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.

Psalm 118:10-12
All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. / They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. / They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.


Treasury of Scripture

And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until you come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron.

the men of Israel

1 Samuel 14:21,22
Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan…

Judges 7:23
And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

2 Samuel 23:10
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

valley

Joshua 15:33-36,45,46
And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, …

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Ekron Entrance Israel Judah Lay Philistines Pursued Shaaraim Shouted Slain Valley Way Wounded
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Ekron Entrance Israel Judah Lay Philistines Pursued Shaaraim Shouted Slain Valley Way Wounded
1 Samuel 17
1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle
4. Goliath challenges a combat
12. David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge
28. Eliab chides him
30. He is brought to Saul
32. shows the reason of his confidence
38. and slays the giant
55. Saul takes notice of David














Then the men of Israel and Judah arose
This phrase marks a pivotal moment of unity and action among the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "arose" is "קוּם" (qum), which signifies rising up, standing, or establishing oneself. This action follows David's victory over Goliath, symbolizing a collective awakening and empowerment among the Israelites. Historically, Israel and Judah were often divided, but here they are united in purpose, reflecting the power of faith and divine intervention to bring about unity.

shouted
The Hebrew word for "shouted" is "רָנַן" (ranan), which can mean to cry out, rejoice, or sing. This shout is not just a battle cry but an expression of triumph and renewed confidence. It signifies the Israelites' shift from fear to faith, inspired by David's trust in God. The shout is both a physical and spiritual declaration of victory, echoing throughout the valley as a testament to God's deliverance.

and pursued the Philistines
"Pursued" comes from the Hebrew "רָדַף" (radaph), meaning to chase or follow after. This pursuit indicates a complete reversal of roles; the once-dominant Philistines are now fleeing. It highlights the transformative power of faith and courage, as the Israelites, emboldened by David's example, take the offensive. This pursuit is not just a military action but a spiritual reclaiming of territory and identity.

to the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron
The "entrance of the valley" and "gates of Ekron" provide geographical markers that underscore the extent of the Israelites' victory. Ekron was one of the five major Philistine cities, and reaching its gates signifies a deep penetration into enemy territory. Archaeologically, Ekron is identified with modern Tel Miqne, and its gates symbolize both a physical and spiritual boundary being breached by the Israelites, demonstrating God's power to overcome formidable obstacles.

Their bodies were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron
The imagery of bodies "strewn" along the road paints a vivid picture of the Philistines' defeat. "Shaaraim" means "two gates" in Hebrew, possibly indicating a strategic location or a place of passage. The road to "Gath and Ekron" signifies the retreat path of the Philistines, leading back to their strongholds. This scene serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of opposing God's people and the fulfillment of divine justice. Historically, Gath was another major Philistine city, further emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the victory.

(52) To the valley.--More accurately, to a valley; there is no article in the Hebrew. This want of the article at once suggests that the "valley" here spoken of so indefinitely was not that well-known valley or ravine which divided the two armies; besides which, it is nowhere suggested that the Philistines had ever crossed the valley or ravine.

Keil remarks that it is strange that no further mention is made of this "valley of the pursuit. The LXX. render, instead of "to a valley," "to Gath." These Greek translators probably then had before them the true text: Gath, instead of gai, a valley. Gath is mentioned in the next sentence.

The way to Shaaraim.--This was a town in the lowlands of Judah (see Joshua 15:36); the name has probably been preserved in the modern Kefr Zakariya. The LXX., however," do not understand Shaaraim as a city at all, but render, instead of "by the way to Shaaraim," "in the way of the gates." The "gates" of Ekron are mentioned as one of the notable places of the flight in the preceding sentence.

If the LXX. interpretation be adopted, we must understand by this expression the space between the outer and the inner gates of Ekron.

Verses 52, 53. - To the valley. Hebrew, gai. As we have seen, there was a gai or ravine between the two armies, but in the Hebrew there is no article, and the Israelites must also cross this before any fighting began. The panic which struck the Philistines when they saw their champion fall enabled the Israelites to do so, but the pursuit only then commenced. The Septuagint reads Gath, a very probable emendation, for, as we saw in the passage quoted from Condor on ver. 2, Gath was situated at the mouth of the terebinth valley. The Syriac and Vulgate retain valley, but the former understands it of the mouth of the valley of Elah. Shaaraim was a town assigned to Judah (Joshua 15:36) in the Shephelah (see on ver. 1), but was now held by the Philistines. They spoiled their tents. More correctly, "their camp."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the men
אַנְשֵׁי֩ (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

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

and Judah
וִיהוּדָ֜ה (wî·hū·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

charged forward
וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ (way·yā·qu·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

with a shout
וַיָּרִ֗עוּ (way·yā·ri·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7321: To mar, to split the ears, shout

and pursued
וַֽיִּרְדְּפוּ֙ (way·yir·də·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

the Philistines
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (hap·pə·liš·tîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the entrance
בּוֹאֲךָ֣ (bō·w·’ă·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

of Gath
גַ֔יְא (ḡay)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1516: A valley

and to
וְעַ֖ד (wə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the gates
שַׁעֲרֵ֣י (ša·‘ă·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of Ekron.
עֶקְר֑וֹן (‘eq·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6138: Ekron -- a Philistine city

The bodies
חַֽלְלֵ֤י (ḥal·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted

of the Philistines
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

were strewn
וַֽיִּפְּל֞וּ (way·yip·pə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

along the Shaaraim
שַׁעֲרַ֔יִם (ša·‘ă·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8189: Shaaraim -- two cities in Israel

road
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ (bə·ḏe·reḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

to
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Gath
גַּ֖ת (gaṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city

and Ekron.
עֶקְרֽוֹן׃ (‘eq·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6138: Ekron -- a Philistine city


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:52 The men of Israel and of Judah (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 17:51
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