2 Samuel 1:22
New International Version
“From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.

New Living Translation
The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work. They shed the blood of their enemies and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes.

English Standard Version
“From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Berean Standard Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

King James Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

New King James Version
From the blood of the slain, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.

New American Standard Bible
“From the blood of those slaughtered, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return unstained.

NASB 1995
“From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.

NASB 1977
“From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.

Legacy Standard Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.

Amplified Bible
“From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.

Christian Standard Bible
Jonathan’s bow never retreated, Saul’s sword never returned unstained, from the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jonathan’s bow never retreated, Saul’s sword never returned unstained, from the blood of the slain, from the bodies of the mighty.

American Standard Version
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Contemporary English Version
The arrows of Jonathan struck, and warriors died. The sword of Saul cut the enemy apart.

English Revised Version
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
From the blood of those killed and the fat of the warriors, Jonathan's bow did not turn away, nor did Saul's sword return unused.

Good News Translation
Jonathan's bow was deadly, the sword of Saul was merciless, striking down the mighty, killing the enemy.

International Standard Version
From the blood of the slain, from the blood of the valiant, Jonathan's bow would not retreat nor would Saul's sword return empty.

Majority Standard Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

NET Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors, the bow of Jonathan was not turned away. The sword of Saul never returned empty.

New Heart English Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan's bow did not retreat. Saul's sword did not return empty.

Webster's Bible Translation
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

World English Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
From the blood of the wounded, "" From the fat of the mighty, "" The bow of Jonathan "" Has not turned backward; And the sword of Saul does not return empty.

Young's Literal Translation
From the blood of the wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Hath not turned backward; And the sword of Saul doth not return empty.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the blood of the wounded and from the fat of the powerful, the bow of Jonathan drew not back in the rear, and the sword of Saul will not turn back empty.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the valiant, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the strong, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

New American Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the bodies of the warriors, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return unstained.

New Revised Standard Version
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return empty.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From the blood of the slain and from the fat of the mighty the bow of Yonathan was not turned back, and the sword of Shaul had not returned empty!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
From the blood of the slain, and from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan returned not empty; and the sword of Saul turned not back empty.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Song for Saul and Jonathan
21O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. 22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. 23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.…

Cross References
Judges 5:8
When they chose new gods, then war came to their gates. Not a shield or spear was found among forty thousand in Israel.

1 Samuel 18:7
And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 31:1-4
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. ...

Isaiah 34:6
The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Jeremiah 46:10
For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.

Ezekiel 21:9-11
“Son of man, prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished— / it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick. / The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be placed in the hand of the slayer.

Psalm 7:12-13
If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow. / He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire.

Psalm 45:3-5
Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor. / In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds. / Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.

Psalm 78:62-64
He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. / Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs. / His priests fell by the sword, but their widows could not lament.

Psalm 89:43
You have bent the edge of his sword and have not sustained him in battle.

Psalm 144:10
to Him who gives victory to kings, who frees His servant David from the deadly sword.

Habakkuk 3:9
You brandished Your bow; You called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers.

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


Treasury of Scripture

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

the bow

1 Samuel 14:6-14
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few…

1 Samuel 18:4
And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

Isaiah 34:6,7
The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea…

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Backward Blood Bow Dead Empty Fat Flesh Jonathan Jonathan's Mighty Saul Saul's Slain Strong Sword Turn Turned Unused Wounded
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Backward Blood Bow Dead Empty Fat Flesh Jonathan Jonathan's Mighty Saul Saul's Slain Strong Sword Turn Turned Unused Wounded
2 Samuel 1
1. The Amalekite who accused himself of Saul's death is slain
17. David laments Saul and Jonathan with a song














From the blood of the slain
This phrase evokes the imagery of battle and the cost of war. The Hebrew word for "blood" (דָּם, dam) often signifies life and sacrifice. In the context of ancient Israel, blood was both a symbol of life and a necessary element in sacrificial offerings to God. The "slain" refers to those who have fallen in battle, highlighting the reality of death in the pursuit of defending the nation and upholding God's covenant. This phrase sets the stage for understanding the valor and sacrifice of Jonathan and Saul.

from the flesh of the mighty
The "mighty" (גִּבּוֹרִים, gibborim) were renowned warriors, often seen as heroes in Israelite society. The term "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar) here emphasizes the physicality and humanity of these warriors. Despite their strength and prowess, they were still mortal. This phrase underscores the bravery and the ultimate vulnerability of even the strongest individuals, reminding us of the transient nature of human strength compared to the eternal power of God.

the bow of Jonathan did not turn back
Jonathan, the son of Saul, is celebrated for his loyalty and courage. The "bow" (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet) symbolizes his skill and determination in battle. The phrase "did not turn back" suggests unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of the enemy. Jonathan's bow is a metaphor for his steadfastness and dedication to his people and his God. This imagery inspires believers to remain resolute in their faith and duties, regardless of the challenges they face.

and the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied
The "sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev) of Saul represents his role as the anointed king and protector of Israel. The phrase "did not return unsatisfied" implies that Saul's efforts in battle were effective and fulfilled their purpose. Despite Saul's personal failings, this acknowledgment of his prowess in battle serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty in using imperfect individuals to accomplish His divine plans. It encourages believers to trust in God's ability to work through their weaknesses for His glory.

Verse 22. - From the blood of the slain. In old time, Saul and Jonathan had been victorious warriors, who had returned from the battlefield stained with the blood of their enemies: from this battle they return no more, and their weapons have lost their old renown.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
From the blood
מִדַּ֣ם (mid·dam)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

of the slain,
חֲלָלִ֗ים (ḥă·lā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted

from the fat
מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙ (mê·ḥê·leḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2459: Fat, richest, choice part

of the mighty,
גִּבּוֹרִ֔ים (gib·bō·w·rîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

the bow
קֶ֚שֶׁת (qe·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

of Jonathan
יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

did not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

retreat,
נָשׂ֖וֹג (nā·śō·wḡ)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7734: To retreat

and the sword
וְחֶ֣רֶב (wə·ḥe·reḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

of Saul
שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

did not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

return
תָשׁ֖וּב (ṯā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

empty.
רֵיקָֽם׃ (rê·qām)
Adverb
Strong's 7387: Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly


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OT History: 2 Samuel 1:22 From the blood of the slain (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 1:21
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