1 Samuel 17:21
New International Version
Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other.

New Living Translation
Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army.

English Standard Version
And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army.

Berean Standard Bible
And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other.

King James Bible
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

New King James Version
For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army.

New American Standard Bible
Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle formation, army against army.

NASB 1995
Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.

NASB 1977
And Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Israel and the Philistines arranged themselves in battle lines, battle line against battle line.

Amplified Bible
Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle formation, army against army.

Christian Standard Bible
Israel and the Philistines lined up in battle formation facing each other.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Israel and the Philistines lined up in battle formation facing each other.

American Standard Version
And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.

Contemporary English Version
The army of Israel and the Philistine army stood there facing each other.

English Revised Version
And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Israel and the Philistines formed their battle lines facing each other.

Good News Translation
The Philistine and the Israelite armies took positions for battle, facing each other.

International Standard Version
Israel and the Philistines moved into position for battle, battle line facing battle line.

Majority Standard Bible
And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other.

NET Bible
Israel and the Philistines drew up their battle lines opposite one another.

New Heart English Bible
And Israel and the Philistines lined up in battle formation, army against army.

Webster's Bible Translation
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

World English Bible
Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Israel and the Philistines set in array rank to meet rank.

Young's Literal Translation
and Israel and the Philistines set in array rank to meet rank.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Israel will arrange, and the rovers, array to meet array.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For Israel had put themselves in array, and the Philistines who stood against them were prepared.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For Israel had positioned their troops, but the Philistines also had prepared themselves against them.

New American Bible
The Israelites and the Philistines drew up opposite each other in battle array.

New Revised Standard Version
Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Israel and the Philistines put themselves in battle array, army against army.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Israel and the Philistines were lined up, row against row
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Accepts the Challenge
20So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him. He reached the camp as the army was marching out to its position and shouting the battle cry. 21And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other. 22Then David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were doing.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 17:1-3
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. / Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines. / The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:8-11
And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. / If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and work for us.” / Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!” ...

1 Samuel 17:24-25
When all the men of Israel saw Goliath, they fled from him in great fear. / Now the men of Israel had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.”

1 Samuel 17:45-47
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 14:22
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.

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.

2 Samuel 21:15-17
Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”

2 Chronicles 20:17
You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

Judges 7:1-8
Early in the morning Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the men with him camped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. ...

Joshua 10:24-25
When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. / “Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.”

Exodus 14:13-14
But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Numbers 10:9
When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.

Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ...

Psalm 27:3
Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

Psalm 46:9-11
He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire. / “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” / The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah


Treasury of Scripture

For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

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Army Array Battle Drawing Drew Israel Lines Meet Philistines Position Rank
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














And Israel
The term "Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who became the twelve tribes forming the nation of Israel. In this context, Israel represents God's chosen people, set apart to fulfill His divine purposes. Historically, Israel's identity was deeply rooted in their covenant relationship with God, which was central to their national and spiritual life. The Hebrew root for Israel, "Yisra'el," means "God contends" or "one who struggles with God," reflecting the nation's ongoing journey of faith and reliance on divine strength.

and the Philistines
The Philistines were a significant and persistent adversary of Israel throughout the Old Testament. They were a seafaring people, likely originating from the Aegean region, who settled along the coastal plains of Canaan. Archaeological findings, such as pottery and inscriptions, provide evidence of their advanced culture and military prowess. The Philistines' presence in the narrative highlights the constant spiritual and physical battles faced by Israel, symbolizing the struggle between God's people and the forces opposing His will.

arrayed in battle formation
This phrase indicates a strategic and organized preparation for warfare. The Hebrew word "arak" conveys the idea of setting in order or arranging, suggesting a deliberate and disciplined approach to the impending conflict. In the ancient Near Eastern context, battle formations were crucial for maintaining order and effectiveness in combat. Spiritually, this preparation can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's need to be spiritually equipped and ready to face the challenges and battles of life, relying on God's guidance and strength.

against each other
This phrase underscores the direct confrontation between the two opposing forces. It highlights the reality of conflict in the believer's life, where spiritual battles are inevitable. The historical context of Israel's frequent clashes with the Philistines serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual warfare that Christians face. Ephesians 6:12 (BSB) echoes this sentiment, reminding believers that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This verse calls Christians to be vigilant and steadfast, trusting in God's power to overcome the adversities they encounter.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

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

arrayed
וַתַּעֲרֹ֤ךְ (wat·ta·‘ă·rōḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

in formation
מַעֲרָכָ֖ה (ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4634: An arrangement, a pile, a military array

against
לִקְרַ֥את (liq·raṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7122: To encounter, befall

each other.
מַעֲרָכָֽה׃ (ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4634: An arrangement, a pile, a military array


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:21 Israel and the Philistines put the battle (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 17:20
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