21
But the peopleוַ הָעָםtookיִּקַּחfrom the spoilמֵהַשָּׁלָלanimals of the flockצֹאןand herd,וּבָקָרthe firstfruitsרֵאשִׁיתof what was devoted to destruction,הַחֵרֶםto sacrificeלִזְבֹּחַto YHWHלַיהוָהyour Elohimאֱלֹהֶיךָin Gilgal.”בַּגִּלְגָּל
1 Samuel 15:21
Study it in the app“But the people took from the spoil animals of the flock and herd, the firstfruits of what was devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to YHWH your Elohim in Gilgal.””
With the Hebrew beneath
1 Samuel 15:21, word by word
- But the peopleעָםam
crowd
The people gathered in a place: the crowd, or the troops that go out to war.
Where else “am” appears- tookיִּקַּחyikach
take
To grasp something in the hand to carry or use it.
Where else “yikach” appears- from the spoilשָּׁלָלshalal
spoil, plunder
Spoil: what is taken from a defeated enemy.
Where else “shalal” appears- animals of the flockצֹאןtson
flock
A flock of sheep and goats.
Where else “tson” appears- and herdבָקָרvakar
cattle, herd
Cattle: cows, oxen, bulls; a herd.
Where else “vakar” appears- the firstfruitsרֵאשִׁיתreshit
firstfruits
The earliest part of the harvest, for YHWH.
Where else “reshit” appears- of what was devoted to destructionחֵרֶםcherem
devoted thing
What was given wholly to God and no one could keep for himself.
Where else “cherem” appears- to sacrificeזְבֹּחַzeboach
sacrifice
To kill an animal as a gift to God or other gods.
Where else “zeboach” appears- to YHWHיהוָהyhva
YHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
Where else “yhva” appears- your Elohimאֱלֹהֶיelohe
Elohim
The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.
Where else “elohe” appears- in Gilgalגִּלְגָּלgilgal
Gilgal
See it on the mapWhere else “gilgal” appears
Places in this verse
Gilgal ?
Today: disputed; near Jericho, West Bank
A place near Jericho in the Jordan valley; the exact site is not certain.
Israel camped there after crossing the Jordan and set up twelve stones (Josh 4:19-20). Saul was confirmed as king there (1 Sam 11:15).
The context
20Saul said to Samuel, “Yes, I have listened to the voice of YHWH, and I went on the way on which YHWH sent me; and I have brought Agag king of Amalek, and Amalek I have devoted to destruction.
21 · This verse (above)
22Samuel said, “Does YHWH have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in listening to the voice of YHWH? Look, to listen is better than sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams.