1 Samuel 20:41

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

When the boy had gone, David got up from the south side and fell facedown on the ground. He bowed three times, and then they kissed each other and wept together—David weeping the most.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

הַנַּעַר֮ בָּא֒ וְדָוִ֗ד קָ֚ם מֵאֵ֣צֶל הַנֶּ֔גֶב וַיִּפֹּ֨ל לְאַפָּ֥יו אַ֛רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ פְּעָמִ֑ים וַֽיִּשְּׁק֣וּ ׀ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֗הוּ וַיִּבְכּוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֔הוּ עַד־דָּוִ֖ד הִגְדִּֽיל׃

Transliteration

The naʿar bāʾ, and Dāwid qām from beside the negeb, and wayyippōl to his ʾappāyw ʾarṣāh and wayyištaḥû šālōš pəʿāmîm; and wayyiššəqû ʾîš ʾet-his rēʿēhû, and wayyibkû ʾîš ʾet-his rēʿēhû, until-Dāwid higdîl.

Grammar Details

• *naʿar*: noun, masculine singular with definite article - the boy/servant
• *bāʾ*: qal perfect 3ms - came/went
• *Dāwid*: proper noun - David
• *qām*: qal perfect 3ms - arose/got up
• *negeb*: noun, masculine singular with definite article - the south/Negev
• *wayyippōl*: waw consecutive + qal imperfect 3ms - and he fell
• *ʾappāyw*: noun, masculine dual + 3ms suffix - his face/nostrils
• *ʾarṣāh*: noun, feminine singular + directional he - to the ground
• *wayyištaḥû*: waw consecutive + hishtaphel imperfect 3ms - and he bowed down
• *šālōš*: numeral, feminine - three
• *pəʿāmîm*: noun, feminine plural - times
• *wayyiššəqû*: waw consecutive + qal imperfect 3mp - and they kissed
• *ʾîš*: noun, masculine singular - man/each
• *rēʿēhû*: noun, masculine singular + 3ms suffix - his friend/neighbor
• *wayyibkû*: waw consecutive + qal imperfect 3mp - and they wept
• *higdîl*: hiphil perfect 3ms - he made great/exceeded

Word Meanings

• *negeb*: south/Negev/southern region (here a location marker)
• *wayyippōl ləʾappāyw ʾarṣāh*: fell on his face to the ground (idiom for prostration)
• *wayyištaḥû*: bowed down/prostrated himself/worshipped
• *ʾîš ʾet-rēʿēhû*: each his friend/one another/each other
• *higdîl*: exceeded/did more/wept more

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And as soon as the lad{H5288} was gone,{H935} David{H1732} arose{H6965} out of [a place] toward{H681} the South,{H5045} and fell{H5307} on his face{H639} to the ground,{H776} and bowed{H7812} himself three{H7969} times:{H6471} and they kissed{H5401} one{H376} another,{H7453} and wept{H1058} one{H376} with another,{H7453} until David{H1732} exceeded.{H1431}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And as soon as the lad{H5288} was gone{H935}{(H8802)}, David{H1732} arose{H6965}{(H8804)} out of a place toward{H681} the south{H5045}, and fell{H5307}{(H8799)} on his face{H639} to the ground{H776}, and bowed{H7812}{(H8691)} himself three{H7969} times{H6471}: and they kissed{H5401}{(H8799)} one{H376} another{H7453}, and wept{H1058}{(H8799)} one{H376} with another{H7453}, until David{H1732} exceeded{H1431}{(H8689)}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And whan the boy was gone, Dauid arose from the place towarde the south, and fell vpon his face to the groude, and worshipped thre tymes, and they kissed one another, and wepte together. But Dauid most specially.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Assoone as the boy was gone, Dauid arose out of a place that was towarde the South, and fel on his face to the ground, and bowed him selfe three times: and they kissed one another, and wept both twaine, till Dauid exceeded.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And assoone as the lad was gone, Dauid arose out of a place that was towarde the south, & fel on his face to the ground, & bowed him selfe three times, And they kissed either other, and wept together, so long till Dauid exceeded.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  [And] as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of [a place] toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  As soon as the boy was gone, David arose out of [a place] toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  The youth hath gone, and David hath risen from Ezel, at the south, and falleth on his face to the earth, and boweth himself three times, and they kiss one another, and they weep one with another, till David exerted himself;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of `a place' toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of [a place] toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And when the boy had gone, David came from his secret place by the hill, and falling to the earth went down on his face three times: and they gave one another a kiss, weeping together, till David's grief was the greater.

• World English Bible (2000)

  As soon as the boy was gone, David arose out of [a place] toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another, and wept one with another, and David wept the most.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  When the servant had left, David got up from beside the mound, knelt with his face to the ground, and bowed three times. Then they kissed each other and they both wept, especially David.

Referenced Verses

• 1 Sam 18:3 : 3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as he loved his own life.
• 1 Sam 25:23 : 23 When Abigail saw David, she hurriedly dismounted from her donkey, fell facedown at David’s feet, and bowed to the ground with deep respect.
• 2 Sam 1:26 : 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more than the love of women.
• 2 Sam 9:6 : 6 When Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "At your service," he replied.
• 2 Sam 19:39 : 39 The king said, "Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you desire. And anything you request of me, I will do for you."
• Acts 20:37 : 37 They all wept loudly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
• Gen 29:11 : 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.
• Gen 29:13 : 13 When Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, he ran to meet him, embraced him, kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban everything that had happened.
• Gen 43:28 : 28 They replied, "Your servant our father is well. He is still alive." And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him.
• Gen 45:15 : 15 Joseph kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward, his brothers talked with him.
• 1 Sam 10:1 : 1 Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you as ruler over His inheritance?'