And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.

1 KINGS 20:27KJV
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1 Kings 20:27 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:27 mean?

1 Kings 20:27 describes how the Israelites gathered their troops and prepared to face the Syrians in battle. The verse paints a vivid picture: the Israelite army looked small and vulnerable, like two little flocks of goats, while the Syrian forces seemed to fill the whole countryside.

This verse comes in the middle of a story where Israel, under King Ahab, is about to fight the much larger Syrian army led by Ben-Hadad. The comparison highlights just how outnumbered and outmatched Israel appeared, setting up the tension for what happens next in the narrative.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:27

  • "children" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word, used for "children of Israel," emphasizes the idea of a group belonging to a family or nation, not just individuals.
  • "flocks" (עֶדְרֵי, edrei): This word means small groups of animals, often sheep or goats. Here, it stresses how tiny and exposed the Israelite army looked, especially compared to the Syrians.
  • "filled" (מָלֵא, male): Used for the Syrians "filled the country," this word suggests the overwhelming presence and sheer number of the Syrian forces, making the contrast with Israel even sharper.

Why 1 Kings 20:27 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Israel was a military equal to Syria at this point; the text goes out of its way to show how small and vulnerable Israel seemed.
  • The vivid imagery sets up the dramatic tension for the coming battle, making any victory for Israel seem surprising and significant.
  • Understanding this verse helps the reader see the broader theme in the chapter: Israel’s survival and success are not due to their own strength, but because of something beyond their numbers or might.

Where else these words appear

“present” Hebrew H3557 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 45:11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
  • 1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
  • Psalms 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

“kids” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 9:3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

“against” Hebrew H7125 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Judges 6:35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
  • 2 Samuel 19:25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?

“Syrians” Hebrew H758 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.