1 Samuel 28:24
New International Version
The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast.

New Living Translation
The woman had been fattening a calf, so she hurried out and killed it. She took some flour, kneaded it into dough and baked unleavened bread.

English Standard Version
Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it,

Berean Standard Bible
The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

King James Bible
And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

New King James Version
Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it.

New American Standard Bible
Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; then she took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it.

NASB 1995
The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it.

NASB 1977
And the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly sacrificed it; and she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it.

Amplified Bible
The woman had a fattened calf in the house; she quickly killed it, and took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread.

Christian Standard Bible
The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

American Standard Version
And the woman had a fatted calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

Contemporary English Version
At once the woman killed a calf that she had been fattening up. She cooked part of the meat and baked some thin bread.

English Revised Version
And the woman had a fatted calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The woman immediately butchered a fattened calf that she owned. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked some unleavened bread.

Good News Translation
The woman quickly killed a calf which she had been fattening. Then she took some flour, prepared it, and baked some bread without yeast.

International Standard Version
The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

Majority Standard Bible
The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

NET Bible
Now the woman had a well-fed calf at her home that she quickly slaughtered. Taking some flour, she kneaded bread and baked it without leaven.

New Heart English Bible
The woman had a fattened calf in the house. She hurried and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the woman had a fat calf in the house: and she hasted and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it.

World English Bible
The woman had a fattened calf in the house. She hurried and killed it; and she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the woman has a calf of the stall in the house, and she hurries and slaughters it, and takes flour, and kneads, and bakes it [into] unleavened things,

Young's Literal Translation
And the woman hath a calf of the stall in the house, and she hasteth and slaughtereth it, and taketh flour, and kneadeth, and baketh it unleavened things,

Smith's Literal Translation
And to the woman a calf of the stall in the house; she will haste and sacrifice it, and take flour and knead and bake it unleavened.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she made haste and killed it: and taking meal kneaded it, and baked some unleavened bread,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hurried and killed it. And taking meal, she kneaded it, and she baked unleavened bread.

New American Bible
The woman had a stall-fed calf in the house, which she now quickly slaughtered. Then taking flour, she kneaded it and baked unleavened bread.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house. She quickly slaughtered it, and she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened cakes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house; and she made haste and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the woman had a fattened calf in her house and she hurried to slaughter it, and she took flour and kneaded and baked unleavened bread
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the woman had a fatted calf in the house; and she made haste, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the woman had a fat heifer in the house; and she hasted and slew it; and she took meal and kneaded it, and baked unleavened cakes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul and the Medium of Endor
23Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed. 24The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. 25She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.…

Cross References
Genesis 18:6-8
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.” / Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. / Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate.

Judges 6:19
So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread and an ephah of flour. He placed the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot and brought them out to present to Him under the oak.

1 Kings 17:12-15
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ...

2 Kings 4:8-10
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”

2 Kings 4:38-41
When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.” / One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. / And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. ...

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

1 Samuel 9:24
So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 25:18
Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys

1 Samuel 30:11-12
Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat— / a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights.

2 Samuel 17:27-29
When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. / They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, / honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

1 Kings 19:5-8
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” / And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. / A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” ...

Matthew 14:17-21
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

Matthew 15:34-38
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. / Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

Mark 6:38-44
“Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” / Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. / So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ...

Mark 8:5-9
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd. / They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hurried, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

a fat calf

Genesis 18:7,8
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it…

Luke 15:23
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

Jump to Previous
Bake Baked Baketh Bread Butchered Calf Cow Death Haste Hasted Hasteth House Hurried Killed Kneaded Kneadeth Meal Mixed Once Quickly Slaughtered Slaughtereth Stall Straight Thereof Unleavened Yeast Young
Jump to Next
Bake Baked Baketh Bread Butchered Calf Cow Death Haste Hasted Hasteth House Hurried Killed Kneaded Kneadeth Meal Mixed Once Quickly Slaughtered Slaughtereth Stall Straight Thereof Unleavened Yeast Young
1 Samuel 28
1. Achish puts confidence in David
3. Saul having destroyed the witches
4. and now in his fear forsaken of God
7. has recourse to a witch
8. who, encouraged by Saul, raises up Samuel
15. Saul hearing his ruin, faints
21. The woman and his servants refresh him with meat














Now the woman
This phrase refers to the medium of Endor, a woman who played a significant role in this narrative. In the historical context, mediums were often sought for their supposed ability to communicate with the dead, despite the clear prohibitions against such practices in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 19:31). Her presence in the account highlights the desperation of King Saul, who had previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land (1 Samuel 28:3).

had a fattened calf
The "fattened calf" symbolizes wealth and hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture. It was customary to reserve such an animal for special occasions or honored guests. The Hebrew word for "fattened" (מְרִיא, meri) indicates an animal that has been well-fed and prepared for a significant event. This detail underscores the urgency and importance of Saul's visit, as well as the woman's willingness to provide for him despite the risks involved.

at her house
The setting of the woman's house is significant. It was a private place, away from the public eye, which was necessary given the clandestine nature of Saul's visit. In ancient Israel, homes were often simple structures, but they served as the center of family life and hospitality. The woman's willingness to host Saul in her home reflects the cultural norms of hospitality and the seriousness of the situation.

and she quickly slaughtered it
The act of slaughtering the calf "quickly" indicates the urgency of the moment. In Hebrew, the word for "quickly" (מַהֵר, maher) suggests haste and immediacy. This reflects the tension in the narrative, as Saul was in a dire situation, seeking guidance before an impending battle. The woman's prompt action also demonstrates her compliance and respect for Saul's authority, despite his fallen state.

She took flour, kneaded it
The process of taking flour and kneading it to make bread was a common domestic task in ancient Israel. The Hebrew word for "kneaded" (לָשׁ, lash) implies a thorough mixing, which was necessary to prepare the dough. This act of preparing bread signifies sustenance and life, providing physical nourishment to Saul. It also reflects the woman's role as a provider, even in a time of spiritual and national crisis.

and baked unleavened bread
Unleavened bread, or matzah, is bread made without yeast. In the Hebrew tradition, unleavened bread is significant, especially during Passover, symbolizing purity and the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt (Exodus 12:39). In this context, the unleavened bread may symbolize the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action. It also serves as a reminder of God's past deliverance, contrasting with Saul's current state of disobedience and desperation.

(24) Unleavened bread.--There was no time to be lost; so she did not wait to leaven the dough, but at once baked it, and set it before the king.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The woman
וְלָאִשָּׁ֤ה (wə·lā·’iš·šāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

had a fattened
מַרְבֵּק֙ (mar·bêq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4770: A stall

calf
עֵֽגֶל־ (‘ê·ḡel-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5695: A, calf, one nearly grown

at her house,
בַּבַּ֔יִת (bab·ba·yiṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

and she quickly
וַתְּמַהֵ֖ר (wat·tə·ma·hêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4116: To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly

slaughtered it.
וַתִּזְבָּחֵ֑הוּ (wat·tiz·bā·ḥê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

She also took
וַתִּקַּח־ (wat·tiq·qaḥ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

flour,
קֶ֣מַח (qe·maḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7058: Flour, meal

kneaded it,
וַתָּ֔לָשׁ (wat·tā·lāš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3888: To knead

and baked
וַתֹּפֵ֖הוּ (wat·tō·p̄ê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 644: To cook, to bake

unleavened bread.
מַצּֽוֹת׃ (maṣ·ṣō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4682: Sweetness, sweet, an unfermented cake, loaf, the festival of Passover


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OT History: 1 Samuel 28:24 The woman had a fattened calf (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 28:23
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