And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

1 SAMUEL 17:8KJV
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1 Samuel 17:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 17:8 mean?

1 Samuel 17:8 describes Goliath, the Philistine champion, standing and loudly challenging the Israelite army to send out a single man to fight him in one-on-one combat. Goliath questions why the Israelites have come out to fight as an army, insisting that only one representative from each side should face off, and calls them servants of Saul.

Goliath is speaking directly to the Israelite soldiers, taunting them and trying to intimidate them by questioning their courage and their reason for assembling for battle. This moment sets the stage for the famous duel between David and Goliath, highlighting the tension and fear among the Israelites as they face a seemingly unbeatable opponent.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 17:8

  • "cried" (קָרָא, qara): This word means to call out loudly or proclaim, emphasizing that Goliath is not just speaking, but shouting his challenge in a way meant to be heard by all.
  • "battle" (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): This word refers to warfare or combat, and here it underscores Goliath’s challenge to the entire concept of a group battle, pushing instead for a single combat.
  • "choose" (בָּחַר, bachar): This word means to select or pick out, highlighting that Goliath wants the Israelites to deliberately pick their best fighter, making the challenge personal and direct.

Why 1 Samuel 17:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Goliath is not just a physical threat but also uses psychological tactics, trying to demoralize the Israelites by calling them "servants to Saul" and questioning their readiness for battle.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic tension for the coming story, showing why none of the Israelites initially step forward—Goliath’s challenge is meant to intimidate and single out their champion.
  • Understanding Goliath’s words helps explain the fear and hesitation among Saul’s army, making David’s later response even more significant in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“choose” Hebrew H1262 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
  • 2 Samuel 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

“armies” Hebrew H4634 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 39:37 The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
  • 1 Samuel 4:16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
  • 1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

“array” Hebrew H6186 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 14:8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela(the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
  • 1 Samuel 17:21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
  • Job 32:14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.