1 Samuel 14 27

1 Samuel 14:27 kjv

But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

1 Samuel 14:27 nkjv

But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened.

1 Samuel 14:27 niv

But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

1 Samuel 14:27 esv

But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright.

1 Samuel 14:27 nlt

But Jonathan had not heard his father's command, and he dipped the end of his stick into a piece of honeycomb and ate the honey. After he had eaten it, he felt refreshed.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 27 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:27 describes an unintended transgression by Jonathan. Unaware of his father Saul's severe oath forbidding eating until evening, Jonathan dipped his staff into wild honeycomb and ate, resulting in his immediate physical refreshment and renewed vigor, indicated by his "brightened eyes." This act highlights his ignorance of the oath and his immediate relief from severe fatigue.

1 Samuel 14 27 Context

This verse is situated during a fierce battle between Israel, led by King Saul, and the Philistines. The Israelites had been significantly weakened by Saul's ill-advised and impulsive oath: "Cursed be the man who eats food until evening comes and I am avenged on my enemies!" (1 Sam 14:24). This vow, made out of Saul's eagerness for immediate victory and perhaps a misunderstanding of divine warfare, deprived his already exhausted army of crucial nourishment. The people, driven by hunger, were struggling in the pursuit of the Philistines. Jonathan, leading a significant portion of the army and engaging the enemy with great valor, was not present when Saul made this pronouncement. Therefore, his subsequent action of eating honey was done in complete ignorance of his father's oath, setting the stage for significant conflict and revealing the deep spiritual issues within Saul's kingship.

1 Samuel 14 27 Word analysis

• But Jonathan: יְהוֹנָתָן (Yehonatan), meaning "the Lord has given." His name contrasts with his father's often self-serving actions. He acts here out of innocence and physical need, yet his actions expose Saul's folly.

• had not heard: שָׁמַע (shama'), meaning "to hear," often implying "to understand" or "to obey." Jonathan's lack of knowledge is key to understanding his blamelessness in this immediate context; his actions were unintentional sin, mitigating his guilt under Mosaic law.

• when his father charged: הִשְׁבִּיעַ (hishbi'a), "made to swear" or "put under oath." This emphasizes Saul's authoritative decree, effectively binding the entire army to a divinely invoked curse, though ill-conceived.

• the people with an oath: שְׁבוּעָה (sh'vu'ah). A solemn promise or vow, typically invoking a divine curse if broken. Saul's use of a herem-like (devoted thing, here implying an anathema or curse on non-compliance) oath on common food was an extreme measure, poorly timed and detrimental to his forces.

• so he put out the tip: יֶשַׁט (yeshaṭ), "to stretch out" or "extend." A simple, spontaneous action by Jonathan to satisfy his immediate hunger.

• of the staff that was in his hand: מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh), "rod" or "staff." A common implement for shepherds or travelers, highlighting the practicality and immediate availability of his tool.

• and dipped it: טָבַל (ṭabal), "to dip" or "immerse." A direct action, signifying consumption.

• in the honeycomb: יַעֲרַת דְּבַשׁ (ya'arat devash), "forest of honey" or "honeycomb of honey." Wild honey was a known food source in ancient Israel, symbolizing natural bounty. Its availability underscores God's provision even amidst human-imposed hardship.

• and put his hand to his mouth: A common action of eating. It emphasizes the direct and immediate consumption.

• and his eyes brightened: אֹרוּ (ʾoru), "became light," "shone," "lit up." This is a classic Hebrew idiom for revitalization, renewal of strength, clarity of vision, and a return to vigor after weakness, especially due to hunger. It graphically portrays Jonathan's immediate physical recovery.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But Jonathan had not heard when his father charged the people with an oath": This phrase introduces a critical dramatic irony and provides the necessary context for Jonathan's "sin." His ignorance removes the culpability of willful disobedience. It highlights Saul's leadership flaw: making a decree that negatively impacts his unconsulted and effective commander.
  • "so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb": This passage illustrates Jonathan's practicality and his body's desperate need for nourishment. The imagery of a warrior pausing to eat wild honey with a simple staff emphasizes the natural, life-sustaining act against the backdrop of Saul's unnatural, life-threatening oath.
  • "and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened": This immediate consequence showcases the honey's restorative power and contrasts sharply with the famished state of the rest of the army. It serves as a visual testament to the body's physical need and validates the necessity of sustenance, highlighting the absurdity and harm caused by Saul's ill-conceived vow.

1 Samuel 14 27 Bonus section

The legal implication of Jonathan's action is significant in ancient Israelite law. Since his violation of the oath was unwitting (done without knowledge of the specific prohibition), it falls under the category of unintentional sin. Such sins typically required a specific sin offering or other means of atonement as described in Leviticus and Numbers, differing from willful rebellion. The subsequent divine response to Saul's inquiry to God ("He did not answer him that day," 1 Sam 14:37) subtly hints that something was amiss in Israel, eventually leading to the discovery of Jonathan's 'sin'. The "brightening of the eyes" is a known physiological response to sugar intake after hypoglycemia and extreme fatigue, grounding this biblical idiom in common experience. The narrative uses this natural occurrence to amplify the spiritual and moral dilemma.

1 Samuel 14 27 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:27 provides a pivotal moment in the narrative, revealing not only Jonathan's unintentional breaking of an oath but also highlighting Saul's failing leadership. Saul's impulsive oath was spiritually misdirected, born of his own zeal and desire for an unqualified victory rather than reliance on divine wisdom. By forbidding eating, he weakened his own army, hindering the very pursuit he sought to enhance. Jonathan, in stark contrast, is portrayed as a capable and divinely favored warrior, whose physical restoration from honey underscores the ill-effects of Saul's command. Jonathan's pure motive and his ignorance of the oath elevate his character while further exposing Saul's rashness and legalistic rigidity that disregarded the immediate well-being of his soldiers. This episode dramatically illustrates the difference between burdensome, man-made rules and practical wisdom necessary for the good of God's people.