1 Samuel 13:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →No blacksmith could be found in Israel, for the Philistines had forbidden it lest the Hebrews forge weapons.
What Does 1 Samuel 13:19 Mean?
The narrator explains Israel's plight: the Philistines have suppressed all metalworking, so that no smith remains in the land. Their aim was to keep the Hebrews from making swords or spears.
A people stripped of the means to arm themselves stands utterly vulnerable. The detail deepens the sense of helplessness before the coming battle. It quietly prepares the heart to see that whatever victory follows cannot be claimed by Israel's craft or might, but only by the hand of God.
1 Samuel 13:19 in the Original Language
charash (חָרָשׁ), 'smith' -- a skilled craftsman in metal, wood, or stone; here the ironworker who forges weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 13:19
What does 1 Samuel 13:19 mean?
No blacksmith could be found in Israel, for the Philistines had forbidden it lest the Hebrews forge weapons.