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1 Samuel 13:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 13:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads.
1 Samuel 13:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18and another company turned the way to Beth-horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looketh down upon the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
19Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
20but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock;
21yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads.
22So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
23And the garrison of the Philistines went out unto the pass of Michmash.
← 1 Samuel 13:201 Samuel 13:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, etc.] Those that would not go to the Philistines, or were not able, or thought it too much trouble, these kept files by them to sharpen those several instruments with upon occasion; though the words are by some rendered in connection with the preceding, to this sense, that they went to the Philistines to sharpen them, when the mouths, or edges, of the mattocks, coulters, etc. were dull; or “blunt” f258; and so needed sharpening; and even to sharpen the goads; with which they pricked and pushed on the oxen in ploughing, when sluggish and remiss.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yet they had a file--as a kind of privilege, for the purpose of sharpening sundry smaller utensils of husbandry. Next: 1 Samuel Chapter 14”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The best rendering of the passage is perhaps as follows: “But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen etc. 1 Samuel 13:21, whenever there was bluntness of edge to their shares and coulters and prong-forks and axes, and to point their goads.” Coulters and mattocks were cutting instruments of the type of the share. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a file: Heb. a file with mouths sharpen: Heb. set, Sa1 13:21 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 13:22”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification