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.

◄ 1 Samuel 17:1 ►

New International Version
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah.

New Living Translation
The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim.

English Standard Version
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

King James Bible
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.

New King James Version
Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim.

New American Standard Bible
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

NASB 1995
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

NASB 1977
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the Philistines gathered their camps for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Amplified Bible
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle and were assembled at Socoh, which belongs to Judah; and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Christian Standard Bible
The Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

American Standard Version
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Contemporary English Version
The Philistines got ready for war and brought their troops together to attack the town of Socoh in Judah. They set up camp at Ephes-Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.

English Revised Version
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Philistines assembled their armies for war. They assembled at Socoh, which is in Judah, and camped between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes Dammim.

Good News Translation
The Philistines gathered for battle in Socoh, a town in Judah; they camped at a place called Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.

International Standard Version
The Philistines assembled their army for battle. They were assembled at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

NET Bible
The Philistines gathered their troops for battle. They assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped in Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.

New Heart English Bible
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now the Philistines collected their armies to battle, and were assembled at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and encamped between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

World English Bible
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephesdammim.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the Philistines gather their camps to battle, and are gathered to Shochoh, which [is] to Judah, and encamp between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-Dammim;

Young's Literal Translation
And the Philistines gather their camps to battle, and are gathered to Shochoh, which is to Judah, and encamp between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-Dammim;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the rovers will gather together their camps for war, and they will gather together at Shocoth, which is to Judah, and they will encamp between Shocoth and between Azekah, in the end of Damim.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now the Philistines gathering together their troops to battle, assembled at Socho of Juda, and camped between Socho and Azeca in the borders of Dommim.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the Philistines, gathering their troops for battle, assembled at Socoh of Judah. And they made camp between Socoh and Azekah, within the borders of Dammim.

New American Bible
The Philistines rallied their forces for battle at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes-dammim.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
NOW the Philistines gathered together their armies for battle, and were massed at the border of Judah, and they encamped between the border and Arka in Epher-samin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Philistines gathered their camps for battle and they contended at the border of Yehuda and camped between the border and Arqa in Aphirsmin

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Philistines gather their armies to battle, and gather themselves to Socchoth of Judaea, and encamp between Socchoth and Azeca Ephermen.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Goliath's Challenge
1Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. 2Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Joshua 15:33-36
These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, / Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam, / Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, ...

2 Chronicles 11:10
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, the fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.

Judges 15:9
Then the Philistines went up, camped in Judah, and deployed themselves near the town of Lehi.

2 Samuel 21:18-22
Some time later at Gob, there was another battle with the Philistines. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, a descendant of Rapha. / Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. / And there was also a battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha, ...

1 Chronicles 11:13-14
He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place with a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. / But Eleazar and David stationed themselves in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 5:18-25
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” / So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. ...

1 Chronicles 20:4-8
Some time later, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued. / Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. / And there was also a battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha, ...

2 Samuel 23:9-12
Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / 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. / And after him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines had banded together near a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. ...

1 Chronicles 14:9-16
Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.” / So David and his men went up to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, God has burst out against my enemies by my hand.” So they called that place Baal-perazim. ...

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.

Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ...

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Treasury of Scripture

Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongs to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.

gathered

1 Samuel 7:7
And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 13:5
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.

1 Samuel 14:46,52
Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place…

Shochoh

Joshua 15:35
Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,

Socoh

2 Chronicles 11:7
And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,

Shoco

1 Samuel 28:18
Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

Shocho

Joshua 10:10,11
And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah…

Joshua 15:35
Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,

Jeremiah 34:7
When the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah.

Ephes-dammim.

1 Chronicles 11:13
He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.

Pas-dammim

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Armies Assembled Azekah Aze'kah Battle Belongeth Belongs Camp Camped Collected Dammim Encamp Encamped Judah Philistines Pitched Position Socoh Together War

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Armies Assembled Azekah Aze'kah Battle Belongeth Belongs Camp Camped Collected Dammim Encamp Encamped Judah Philistines Pitched Position Socoh Together War

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

Berean Study Bible

Now the Philistines
The Philistines were a significant and persistent enemy of Israel throughout the Old Testament. Originating from the Aegean region, they settled along the coastal plains of Canaan. Their presence in the biblical narrative often symbolizes the worldly opposition to God's people. The Philistines were known for their advanced military technology, including the use of iron, which gave them a strategic advantage over Israel. This historical context sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation that follows.

gathered their forces for war
This phrase indicates a deliberate and organized military campaign. The Philistines were not merely raiding or skirmishing; they were preparing for a significant battle. This gathering of forces reflects the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines, a struggle that is both physical and spiritual. The Hebrew root for "gathered" (קָבַץ, qavats) implies a purposeful assembly, highlighting the Philistines' intent to challenge Israel's sovereignty and, by extension, the sovereignty of God.

and assembled at Socoh in Judah
Socoh was a town in the territory of Judah, indicating that the Philistines had penetrated deep into Israelite land. This encroachment into Judah, the tribe from which King David would arise, underscores the threat to the very heart of Israel. The historical and geographical context here is crucial, as it sets the stage for David's emergence as a leader who would defend and unify the nation under God's guidance.

They pitched camp at Ephes-dammim
Ephes-dammim, meaning "boundary of blood," is a location that signifies conflict and confrontation. The name itself foreshadows the impending battle and the bloodshed that will occur. This site, strategically chosen by the Philistines, was likely intended to intimidate the Israelites and assert dominance. The choice of location reflects the Philistines' aggressive strategy and their confidence in their military prowess.

between Socoh and Azekah
The mention of these specific locations provides a geographical framework for the narrative. Azekah, like Socoh, was a fortified city in Judah, and its mention here highlights the strategic importance of the area. The positioning of the Philistine camp between these two locations suggests a tactical advantage, as they could control the surrounding region and threaten the Israelite settlements. This geographical detail emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the need for divine intervention, which will come through David's faith and courage.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle.--There is nothing to tell us how long a time had elapsed since the victory of Saul over Amalek and the other events related in the last chapter. The compiler of the book is henceforth mainly concerned with the story of David, and how he gradually rose in popular estimation. The history does not profess to give anything like a consecutive account of the reign and wars of Saul. It was evidently compiled from documents of the time, but put into its present shape long afterwards. "Probably," writes Dean Payne Smith, "at each prophetic school there would be stored up copies of Psalms written for their religious services, ballads such as those in the Book of Jashar, and in the book of the wars of the Lord, narratives of stirring events like this before us, and histories both of their own chiefs, such as was Samuel (the original founder of these famous educational centres), and afterwards Elijah and Elisha, and also of their kings."

Pitched between Shochoh and Azekah.--The locality was some twelve or fifteen miles southwest of Jerusalem, and nine or ten from Bethlehem, the home of the family of Jesse. The name Ephes-dammim, the "boundary of blood," is suggestive, and tells of the constant border warfare which took place in this neighbourhood.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - The Philistines gathered together their armies. As the object of the historian is not to give us an account of the Philistine wars, but only to record the manner of David's ripening for the kingly office, nothing is said as to the space of time which had elapsed between Saul's victory at Michmash and the present invasion. We are, however, briefly told that "there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul" (1 Samuel 14:52), and apparently this inroad took place very many years after Saul's establishment upon the throne. The Philistine camp was at Ephes-dammim, called Pas-dammim in 1 Chronicles 11:13. The best explanation of the word gives as its meaning the boundary of blood, so called from the continual fighting which took place there upon the borders. Shochoh, spelt more correctly Socoh in Joshua 15:35, was one of fourteen villages enumerated there as lying in the Shephelah, described by Conder ('Tent Work,' 2:156) as a region of "low hills of limestone, frowning a distinct district between the plain and the watershed mountains." In this district Socoh lay northeast of Eleutheropolis (Beth-jibrin), midway between it and Beth-shemesh, from each of which places it was distant about eight or nine miles. It is now called Shuweikeh. For Azekah see Joshua 10:10.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

gathered
וַיַּאַסְפ֨וּ (way·ya·’as·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

their forces
מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙ (ma·ḥă·nê·hem)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

for war
לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

at Socoh
שֹׂכֹ֖ה (śō·ḵōh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7755: Socoh -- two places in Judah

in Judah
לִיהוּדָ֑ה (lî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and camped
וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ (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

between
בֵּין־ (bên-)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Socoh
שׂוֹכֹ֥ה (śō·w·ḵōh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7755: Socoh -- two places in Judah

and Azekah
עֲזֵקָ֖ה (‘ă·zê·qāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5825: Azekah -- a place in Judah

in Ephes-dammim.
דַּמִּֽים׃ (dam·mîm)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 658: The two extremities (the soles of the feet or the ankles)

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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)