1 Samuel 21

^I “David” = David. From the same as dod (beloved, love, uncle); the root may mean to boil, which is used figuratively to describe love. So, this implies someone you love such as a friend, a lover, or a close family member like an uncle. David’s name likely means something like “beloved one.”
^II “came” = halak. This is go, come, walk. It is walk literally and figuratively and includes people and animals. It can be used figuratively for one’s moral life – how we walk according to God’s way or against it. It can also refer to the walk of life as in the course one’s life takes, the choices we make, etc.
^III “Nob” = Nob. 6x in OT. From naar (to abandon, reject) OR from the same as nob (fruit, praise; that which is generated in a literal or figurative sense); {from nub (to bear fruit, increase, flourish; also used for speaking words)} OR from nabah (to be high). This is Nob, a place whose name may mean “fruit, “height,” or “high place.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Nob.html

^IV “priest” = kohen. This is literally the one who officiates i.e. the priest. This is where the Jewish last name “Cohen” (and its variants) comes from.
^V “Ahimelech” = Achimelek. 17x in OT. From ach (brother, kindred, another, other, like) + melek (king, royal). This is Ahimelech, meaning “brother of a king.” It is a name used by Israelites and Hittites.
^VI “came trembling” = charad. This is trembling, being afraid, or being terrified. It can also refer to moving quickly due to anxiety.
^VII “meet” = qara. This is to meet, befall, happen upon. It can be to encounter by chance or for aggression.

^VIII “said” = amar. This is to speak, say, answer, command, promise, report.
^IX “why” = maddua. From mah (what, how long) + yada (to know, be aware, see and so understand – includes observation, care, recognition; can also be used as a euphemism). This is why or how.
^X “alone” = bad. From badad (to divide or be separated; alone, solitary, lonely, isolated, straggler). This is apart, alone, separation, body part, tree branch, except. It can also be a city’s chief.
^XI “no” = ayin. Perhaps from a word that means to be nothing. This means nothing, none, non-existent. It can also simply mean not or are not.
^XII “one” = ish. Perhaps from enosh (human, humankind, mortal); from anash (to be weak, sick, or frail). This is man, husband, another, or humankind.

^XIII “king” = melek. Related to “Ahimelech”” in v1. See note V above.
^XIV “charged” = tsavah. This is to charge, command, order, appoint, or enjoin. This is the root that the Hebrew word for “commandment” comes from (mitsvah).
^XV “matter” = dabar. From dabar (to speak, declare, discuss). This is speech, a word, a matter, an affair, charge, command, message, promise, purpose, report, request. It is a word, which implies things that are spoken of in a wide sense.

^XVI “know” = yada. Related to “why” in v1. See note IX above.
^XVII “anything” = meumah. From the same as mum (defect – an ethical one or a literal bodily one). Its root may mean to stain. This can mean a speck or fault. More broadly, it can also refer to anything or nothing.
^XVIII “send” = shalach. This is to send out, away, send for, forsake. It can also mean to divorce or set a slave free.
^XIX “made an appointment” = yada. Same as “know” in v2. See note XVI above.

^XX “young men” = naar. May be from na’ar (to shake, toss up and down, tumble around). This is a child or a servant. It is a child in their active years so they could be aged anywhere from infancy to adolescence.
^XXI “such and such” = peloni + almoni. Note: in all three places these words appear, they appear together. Peloni is 3x in OT. From palah (to distinguish in a literal or figurative sense; to sever, set apart, or show self to be marvelous). This is such or a certain person. Almoni is 3x in NT. From alam (to hide, conceal, a dissembler; to conceal in a literal or figurative sense). This is such or someone – a way of referring to someone without specifying their identity or where they are.
^XXII “place” = maqom. From qum (to arise, stand, accomplish, establish, abide; rising against, getting up after being sick or asleep, arising from one state to another, becoming powerful, or rising for action; standing in a figurative sense). This is a standing, which is to say a spot or space a place. It can also refer to a locality or a physical/mental condition. HaMaqom is also a Jewish name for God – the place, i.e. the Omnipresent One.

^XXIII “now then” = attah. Perhaps from et (a period or season; whenever or continually); probably from anah (to answer, sing, announce); from ad (forever, all, old); from adah (to pass on, advance, decorate oneself). This is now, from now on.
^XXIV “have” = yesh. This is being, existence, or substance.
^XXV “at” = tachat. This is underneath, below, the bottom, instead of.
^XXVI “hand” = yad. This is hand, ability, power. Hand in a literal sense, but also what one can do or the means by which one does it.

^XXVII “give” = natan. This is to give, put, set, offer. It is to give literally or figuratively.
^XXVIII {untranslated} = yad. Same as “hand” in v3. See note XXVI above.
^XXIX “five” = chamesh. This is five.
^XXX “loaves of bread” = lechem. From lacham (to eat, feed on). This is bread, food, loaf. It can refer to food more generally for people or for animals.
^XXXI “is here” = matsa. This is to find, catch or acquire. It can also mean to come forth or appear. Figuratively, this can mean to meet or be together with.

^XXXII “answered” = anah. Related to “now then” in v3. See note XXIII above.
^XXXIII {untranslated} = amar. Same as “said” in v1. See note VIII above.
^XXXIV “no” = ayin. Same as “no” in v1. See note XI above.
^XXXV “ordinary” = chol. 7x in OT. From chalal (to defile, pollute). This is profaneness or common use. Literally, it is exposed and therefore profane.
^XXXVI “bread” = lechem. Same as “loaves of bread” in v3. See note XXX above.
^XXXVII “at” = tachat. Same as “at” in v3. See note XXV above.

^XXXVIII “holy” = qodesh. This is set apart and so sacred. God is different from us and so God is holy/set apart. Things we dedicate to God’s service are set apart for God and so they, too, are holy, etc.
^XXXIX “have” = yesh. Same as “have” in v3. See note XXIV above.
^XL “kept” = shamar. This is to keep, watch, or preserve. It means to guard something or to protect it as a thorny hedge protects something.
^XLI “from” = ak. Related to aken (surely, truly, nevertheless); from kun (properly, in a perpendicular position; literally, to establish, fix, fasten, prepare; figuratively, it is certainty, to be firm, faithfulness, render sure or prosperous). This is a positive statement – surely, also, certainly, alone, only.
^XLII “women” = ishshah. Related to “one” in v1. From ish (see note XII above). This is woman, wife, or female.

^XLIII {untranslated} = amar. Same as “said” in v1. See note VIII above.
^XLIV “kept” = atsar. To inclose, restrain, keep, hold back, or prevail. It can also mean to maintain, rule, or gather together.
^XLV “always” = temol + shilshom. Temol may be from ethmol (formerly, before, yesterday, time); {from et (with, among, beside, including, toward, near); from anah (to meet, happen, approach)} + mul (front, opposite, toward); {from mul (to cut short, circumcise, blunt, destroy)}. This is ago, recently, yesterday, past. Shilshom is from shalash (to make triplicate, do a third time); from the same as shalosh (three, fork, three times). This is three days ago, before, yesterday in the past.
^XLVI “go on an expedition” = yatsa. This is to go or come out, bring forth, appear. It is to go out in a literal or figurative sense.

^XLVII “vessels” = keli. From kalah (to end, be finished, complete, prepare, consume, spent, or completely destroyed). This is something that was prepared – any implement, utensil, article, vessel, weapon, or instrument. Also includes jewels, weapons, bags, carriages, and furniture.
^XLVIII “are” = hayah. This is to be or become, to happen.
^XLIX “common” = chol. Same as “ordinary” in v4. See note XXXV above.
^L “journey” = derek. From darak (to tread, march, to walk. Can also mean affixing a string to a box since one needs to step on it to bend it in the process; so also an archer). This is a road as a thing that is walked on. Can be used figuratively for the path that one’s life takes or how one chooses to live one’s life.

^LI “how much more” = aph. This is also, furthermore, even.
^LII “today” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.
^LIII “be holy” = qadash. Related to “holy” in v4. From qodesh (see note XXXVIII above). This is set apart, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified. This is something or someone that is set apart for a holy purpose or use – ceremonially or morally clean.

^LIV “Presence” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
^LV “removed” = sur. This is to turn aside in a literal or figurative sense – to depart, decline, rebel, remove, or withdraw.
^LVI “from before” = paneh. Same as “Presence” in v6. See note LIV above.
^LVII “Lord” = YHVH. Related to “are” in v5. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (see note XLVIII above). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.

^LVIII “replaced” = sim. This is to put or place in a literal or figurative sense. It can be appoint, care, change, make, and may other things.
^LIX “hot” = chom. 14x in OT. From chamam (to be warm, heat; to be hot in a literal or figurative sense; to mate). This is hot or warmth.
^LX “day” = yom. Same as “today” in v5. See note LII above.
^LXI “taken away” = laqach. This is to take, accept, carry away, receive. It can also have the sense of take a wife or take in marriage.

^LXII “certain man” = ish. Same as “one” in v1. See note XII above.
^LXIII “servants” = ebed. From abad (to work, serve, compel; any kind of work; used causatively, can mean to enslave or keep in bondage). This is a servant, slave, or bondservant.
^LXIV “Saul” = Shaul. From shaal (to ask, inquire, beg, borrow, desire, request; can also mean demand). This is Saul or Shaul, meaning “asked of the Lord.”
^LXV “detained” = atsar. Same as “kept” in v5. See note XLIV above.
^LXVI “before” = paneh. Same as “Presence” in v6. See note LIV above.
^LXVII “Lord” = YHVH. Related to “are” in v5 & “Lord” in v6. From the same as YHVH (see note LVII above). This is a secondary spelling of the Lord, the name of the God of Israel. It has the same meaning.

^LXVIII “name” = shem. Related to “replaced” in v6. May be from sim (see note LVIII above). This is name, fame, renown. A name was thought to indicate something essential about a person – something about their individuality. So, this word can also mean honor, authority, or character.
^LXIX “Doeg” = Doeg. 6x in OT. From daag (to fear, be worried, sorrow, be concerned, be anxious, be sorry). This is Doeg, “anxious.”
^LXX “Edomite” = Adomi. 11x in OT. From Edom (Edom or Idumaea); from adom (to be red or flushed). This is Edomite, meaning “red.”
^LXXI “chief” = abbir. 17x in OT. From abir (strong, mighty); from abar (to fly, soar). This is mighty or valiant. It could refer to a mighty one broadly, an angel, or a bull.
^LXXII “shepherds” = roi. 11x in OT. From raah (to graze, tend a flock, keep company with; to pasture in a literal or figurative sense). This is pastoral or a shepherd.

^LXXIII “is there” = yesh. Same as “have” in v3. See note XXIV above.
^LXXIV “is…no” = in. Related to “no” in v1. 1x in OT. Perhaps shortened from ayin (see XI above). This is not – only when asking a question.
^LXXV “spear” = chanith. From chanah (to decline, bending down, or living in tents; can be camping to create a home or camping as a part of battle). This is a spear or lance as a weapon that is thrust in the same way one pitches a tent.

^LXXVI “sword” = chereb. From charab (to attack, slay). This is any sharp instrument like a sword, dagger, axe, or mattock.
^LXXVII “with you” = tachat + yad. Literally, “on hand.” Tachat is the same as “at” in v3. See note XXV above. Yad is the same as “hand” in v3. See note XXVI above.
^LXXVIII {untranslated} = gam. This is also, moreover, again.
^LXXIX “bring” = laqach. Same as “taken away” in v6. See note LXI above.

^LXXX {untranslated} = gam. Same as {untranslated} in v8. See note LXXVIII above.
^LXXXI “weapons” = keli. Same as “vessels” in v5. See note XLVII above.
^LXXXII “with me” = yad. Literally “at hand.” Same as “hand” in v3. See note XXVI above.
^LXXXIII “business” = dabar. Same as “matter” in v2. See note XV above.
^LXXXIV “required” = hayah. Same as “are” in v5. See note XLVIII above.
^LXXXV “haste” = nachats. 1x in OT. This is urgent or needing haste.

^LXXXVI “Goliath” = Golyath. 6x in OT. From galah (to remove, bring, carry, lead, appear; to strip someone or something bare in a negative sense; captives were typically stripped before being sent into exile; figuratively, in a positive sense, to reveal, disclose, discover). This is Goliath, a name meaning “exposer,” “conspicuous,” or “exile.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Goliath.html
^LXXXVII “Philistine” = Pelishti. From Pelesheth (Philistia); from palash (to mourn, wallow, maybe roll in). This is Philistines. Their name may mean “griever” or “burrower” or “weakener.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Philistine.html.
^LXXXVIII “killed” = nakah. This is to hit whether lightly or severely. It can be used in a literal or figurative sense. So, this could be beat, punish, give wounds, kill, or slaughter.

^LXXXIX “valley” = emeq. From amoq (to be deep in a literal or figurative sense; profound). This is Vale or valley – frequently part of place names.
^XC “Elah” = Elah. 16x in OT. From elah (oak or terebinth; or some other kind of tree that is strong); from ayil (terebinth, oak); from the same as ulam (porch, hall); from the same as ul (mighty, strength, body, belly; root may mean to twist and that implies strength and power). This is Elah, a personal and place name that means “terebinth” or “oak.”
^XCI {untranslated} = hinneh. From hen (lo! Behold! If, though; an expression of surprise). This is to draw attention, show suddenness or surprise, or to emphasize the importance of the coming statement. See! Lo! Behold!

^XCII “wrapped” = lut. 3x in OT. This is to wrap or envelop tightly.
^XCIII “cloth” = simlah. Perhaps from semel (image, figure, likeness). This is mantle, clothes, wrapper.
^XCIV “behind” = achar. From achar (to remain behind, linger, continue, be behind, or delay; can also imply procrastination). This is after or the last part, following.
^XCV “ephod” = ephod. This is an ephod, shoulder piece – perhaps a breastplate or apron. It can refer specifically to a ritual garment worn by the high priest. Alternately, it can refer to an image.
^XCVI “take” = laqach. Same as “taken away” in v6. See note LXI above.
^XCVII “none” = ayin. Same as “no” in v1. See note XI above.
^XCVIII “except” = acher. Related to “behind” in v9. From achar (see note XCIV above). This is following, next, strange, other.

^XCIX “rose” = qum. Related to “place” in v2. See note XXII above.
^C “fled” = barach. This is to flee, drive away, hurry, to bolt.
^CI “from” = paneh. Same as “Presence” in v6. See note LIV above.
^CII “went” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
^CIII “Achish” = Akish. This is Achish or Akish. It may mean “he was afraid” or “majestic” or “angry” or “gift of God.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Achish.html
^CIV “Gath” = Gath. From the same as gath (wine press); {perhaps from nagan (to strike a stringed instrument, to pluck or play it)}. This is Gath, a Philistine city whose name means “wine press.” It shares a root with “Gethsemane.”

^CV “land” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.
^CVI “sing” = anah. Same as “answered” in v4. See note XXXII above.
^CVII “dances” = mecholah. 8x in OT. From machol (round dance); from chul (whirling around so dancing as in a circle or writhing in pain; used particularly for the pain of childbirth or from writhing due to fear; can also be falling in pain or waiting). This is a dance.
^CVIII {untranslated} = amar. Same as “said” in v1. See note VIII above.
^CIX “thousands” = eleph. Perhaps from the same as eleph (herd, cattle); from alaph (to learn, speak, associate with). This is thousand.
^CX “ten thousands” = rebabah. 16x in OT. From rabab (being many or much, abounding, increasing, multiplying; cast together and so the sense of increasing, generally in number). This is abundance, a myriad. It can be an indefinite large amount or mean ten thousand or a million.

^CXI “took” = sim. Same as “replaced” in v6. See note LVIII above.
^CXII “words” = dabar. Same as “matter” in v2. See note XV above.
^CXIII “heart” = lebab. May be related to labab (to encourage; properly, to be encased as with fat; used in a good sense, this means to transport someone with love; used in a bad sense, it can mean to dull one’s senses). This is the heart, courage, one’s inner self, the mind, or the will. Heart is only used in a figurative sense in the Old and New Testaments.

^CXIV “very much” = meod. Perhaps from the same as uwd (firebrand, a poker). This is very, greatly, exceedingly. It can also mean vehemence, force, abundance.
^CXV “was…afraid” = yare. This is to fear, be afraid, dreadful. It can also refer to fearful reverence – to fear in a moral sense is to say to revere, respect.
^CXVI {untranslated} = paneh. Same as “Presence” in v6. See note LIV above.

^CXVII “changed” = shanah. This is to fold, repeat, double, alter, or disguise.
^CXVIII “behavior” = taam. 13x in OT. From taam (to taste, perceive). This is taste, perception, discernment, decree, understanding, sanity.
^CXIX {untranslated} = ayin. This is eye in a literal or figurative sense so eye, appearance, favor, or a fountain (the eye of the landscape).

^CXX “pretended to be mad” = halal. This is to be clear – it originally referred to a sound, then a color. It was to shine and then make a show or boast then to rave. In a causative sense it came to mean celebrate, give glory, sing praise, or be worth of praise. Because of the celebratory nature of the word, it could also mean to give in marriage. This is where Hallelujah comes from.
^CXXI “presence” = yad. Same as “hand” in v3. See note XXVI above.
^CXXII “scratched marks” = tavah. 2x in OT. Perhaps from tav (a mark, signature); {from tavah (make a mark, imprint)} OR from ta’ah (draw a line, designate). This is to mark out, scribble, spin, or weave
^CXXIII “doors” = delet. From dalah (to draw, lift up; properly, to dangle; draw water; figuratively, to deliver). This is something that swings like a door, gate, leaf, lid, or other opening.

^CXXIV “gate” = shaar. May be related to sha’ar (to calculate or reckon; may come from a root that means to open up or split). This is a gate, door, or other opening like a port.
^CXXV “spittle” = rir. 2x in OT. Perhaps from rur (to drool spit, be poor; to have fluid come from one’s body) or a word that means to flow. This is some kind of discharge or things that look like a discharge. So, this could include music, saliva, egg whites, and so on.
^CXXVI “run down” = yarad. This is to go down, descend; going down in a literal or figurative sense. It can be going to the shore or a boundary, bringing down an enemy.
^CXXVII “beard” = zaqan. 19x in OT. Perhaps from zaqen (to grow old, an old person). This is beard, especially as referring to someone older.

^CXXVIII “look” = hinneh. Same as {untranslated} in v9. See note XCI above.
^CXXIX “see” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
^CXXX “man” = ish. Same as “one” in v1. See note XII above.
^CXXXI “is mad” = shaga. 7x in OT. This is to be crazy or to act like one who is demented.
^CXXXII “brought” = bo. Same as “went” in v10. See note CII above.

^CXXXIII “lack” = chaser. 19x in OT. From chaser (to lack, need, become empty, to fail). This is needy, lacking, without, void, or destitute. This is “I shall not want” from Psalm 23:1.
^CXXXIV “madmen” = shaga. Same as “is mad” in v14. See note CXXXI above.
^CXXXV “brought” = bo. Same as “went” in v10. See note CII above.
^CXXXVI “play the madman” = shaga. Same as “is mad” in v14. See note CXXXI above.
^CXXXVII “come” = bo. Same as “went” in v10. See note CII above.
^CXXXVIII “house” = bayit. Probably from banah (to build, make, set up, obtain children; to build literally or figuratively). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.