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 14:6KJV
Know the Bible

1 Samuel 14:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 14:6 mean?

1 Samuel 14:6 shows Jonathan proposing a daring approach to a Philistine military post. He believes that the LORD is able to give victory even when the people fighting are few, though he leaves open whether the LORD will act on this occasion.

Jonathan speaks to the young man who carries his weapons. His words “come, and let us go over” invite the armour-bearer to join him, and the phrase “it may be” gives his proposal a note of uncertainty.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 14:6

  • “garrison” — מַצָּב (matstsav): The word refers to a military post or a group stationed there. Here it identifies the Philistine position Jonathan and his armour-bearer plan to approach.
  • “uncircumcised” — עָרֵל (ʿarel): The word describes males who have not undergone circumcision, the removal of the foreskin. Jonathan uses it to distinguish the Philistines from Israelites, whose males bore that physical mark.
  • “save” — יָשַׁע (yashaʿ): The word can mean to rescue or bring victory. In this military setting, Jonathan speaks of the LORD delivering people from an enemy.

Why 1 Samuel 14:6 matters

  • Jonathan distinguishes the LORD’s ability from his own expectations. “There is no restraint” expresses confidence in the LORD’s power, while “it may be” leaves the outcome of this particular venture open.
  • The armour-bearer’s response shows that Jonathan is not acting alone. In verse 7, the young man agrees to go with him, making Jonathan’s invitation the start of a shared action.
  • The contrast between “many” and “few” fits the situation facing Israel. Earlier in the passage, Saul’s men are described as vastly outnumbered by the Philistine forces.

Where else these words appear

“garrison” Hebrew H4673 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
  • 1 Samuel 14:1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
  • 1 Samuel 14:15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

“uncircumcised” Hebrew H6189 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • 1 Samuel 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
  • Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

“Jonathan” Hebrew H3083 · used in 73 verses

  • Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • 2 Samuel 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

“few” Hebrew H4592 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 1 Samuel 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
  • Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.