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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 13:21 The charge was a pim for sharpening a plowshare or mattock, a third of a shekel for sharpening a pitchfork or an axe, and a third of a shekel for repointing an oxgoad.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/13-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/09_1Sa_13_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 13:21 - Israel Without Weapons" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The charge was a pim for sharpening a plowshare or mattock, a third of a shekel for sharpening a 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class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The charges were as follows: a quarter of an ounce of silver for sharpening a plowshare or a pick, and an eighth of an ounce for sharpening an ax or making the point of an ox goad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The charge was a pim for sharpening a plowshare or mattock, a third of a shekel for sharpening a pitchfork or an axe, and a third of a shekel for repointing an oxgoad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to fix the cattle goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to fix the hoes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to fix the hoes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to fix the goad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The fee [for sharpening] was a pim (two-thirds of a shekel) for the plowshares, the picks, the pitchforks, and the axes, and to straighten the goads (cattle prods).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The price was two-thirds of a shekel for plows and mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for pitchforks and axes, and for putting a point on a cattle prod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The price was two-thirds of a shekel for plows and mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for pitchforks and axes, and for putting a point on an oxgoad. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The price was a pim for plow blades and mattocks, and one-tenth of an ounce of silver to sharpen a mattock or set a metal point on a cattle-prod. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />the charge was one small coin for sharpening axes and for fixing goads, and two coins for sharpening plows or hoes.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The charge was one pin for plows, mattocks, three pronged forks, and axes, or for setting the goads. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The charge was a pim for sharpening a plowshare or mattock, a third of a shekel for sharpening a pitchfork or an axe, and a third of a shekel for repointing an oxgoad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They charged two-thirds of a shekel to sharpen plowshares and cutting instruments, and a third of a shekel to sharpen picks and axes, and to set ox goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and the charge was one payim for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and three shekels for picks and axes and to set the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the colters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The price was one payim each to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and there has been the file for mattocks, and for coulters, and for three-pronged rakes, and for the axes, and to set up the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and there hath been the file for mattocks, and for coulters, and for three-pronged rakes, and for the axes, and to set up the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there was a notching of mouths for the plough-shares, and for the coulters, and for the three-pronged, and for the axes, and for setting the goads.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So that their shares, and their spades, and their forks, and their axes were blunt, even to the goad, which was to be mended. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For their plow blades, and pick axes, and pitch forks, and axes had become blunt, and even the handles needed to be repaired.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The price for the plowshares and mattocks was two thirds of a shekel, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the ox-goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And there was a broad file for the sickle and for the ploughshare and for mattocks and for the axe and to sharpen the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And there was a wide file for the sickle and for the spike and for the pickax and for the ax and for the repair of goads<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the price of the filing was a pim for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks with three teeth, and for the axes; and to set the goads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it was near the time of vintage: and their tools were <i>valued at</i> three shekels for a plough-share, and there was the same rate for the axe and the sickle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=3349" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Israel Without Weapons</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6477.htm" title="6477: hap·pə·ṣî·rāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Perhaps bluntness. From patsar; bluntness.">The charge</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p̄îm (N-ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">a pim</a> <a href="/hebrew/4281.htm" title="4281: lam·ma·ḥă·rê·šōṯ (Prep-l, Art:: N-fp) -- A plowshare. From charash; probably a pick-axe.">for sharpening a plowshare</a> <a href="/hebrew/855.htm" title="855: wə·lā·’ê·ṯîm (Conj-w, Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- A hoe, other digging implement. Of uncertain derivation; a hoe or other digging implement.">or mattock,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: wə·liš·lōš (Conj-w, Prep-l:: Number-fsc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">a third of a shekel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7053.htm" title="7053: qil·lə·šō·wn (N-ms) -- Perhaps fine point. From an unused root meaning to prick; a prong, i.e. Hay-fork.">for sharpening a pitchfork</a> <a href="/hebrew/7134.htm" title="7134: ū·lə·haq·qar·dum·mîm (Conj-w, Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- An axe. Perhaps from qadam in the sense of striking upon; an axe.">or an axe,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5324.htm" title="5324: ū·lə·haṣ·ṣîḇ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To take one's stand, stand. A prim root; to station, in various applications.">and a third of a shekel for repointing</a> <a href="/hebrew/1861.htm" title="1861: had·dā·rə·ḇān (Art:: N-ms) -- A goad. (also dor-bawn'); of uncertain derivation; a goad.">an oxgoad.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hands of the troops with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-14.htm">2 Kings 24:14</a></span><br />He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Isaiah 2:4</a></span><br />Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-10.htm">Joel 3:10</a></span><br />Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/21-9.htm">Ezekiel 21:9-11</a></span><br />“Son of man, prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished— / it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick. / The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be placed in the hand of the slayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Jeremiah 6:29</a></span><br />The bellows blow fiercely, blasting away the lead with fire. The refining proceeds in vain, for the wicked are not purged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/26-14.htm">2 Chronicles 26:14</a></span><br />Uzziah supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Nehemiah 4:17-18</a></span><br />who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. / And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-12.htm">Isaiah 44:12</a></span><br />The blacksmith takes a tool and labors over the coals; he fashions an idol with hammers and forges it with his strong arms. Yet he grows hungry and loses his strength; he fails to drink water and grows faint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48</a></span><br />you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Acts 7:39-41</a></span><br />But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. / They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ / At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32-34</a></span><br />And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Romans 6:13</a></span><br />Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11-17</a></span><br />Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. / Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">2 Corinthians 10:4</a></span><br />The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.</p><p class="hdg">a file [heb] a file with mouths </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Axes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Blades</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Blunted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-1.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-27.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/judges/3-16.htm">Edges</a> <a href="/joel/1-17.htm">Hoes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-12.htm">Instruments</a> <a href="/judges/4-13.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Mattocks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Ploughs</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Plowshares</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Points</a> <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Price</a> <a href="/judges/20-42.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/numbers/17-9.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/judges/18-5.htm">Setting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-8.htm">Shekel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Sickles</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-13.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-18.htm">Third</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-8.htm">Thirds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">Three</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-13.htm">Three-Pronged</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-8.htm">Two-Thirds</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/12-31.htm">Axes</a> <a href="/psalms/74-6.htm">Blades</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-29.htm">Blunted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-5.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-18.htm">Edges</a> <a href="/joel/1-17.htm">Hoes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">Instruments</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-7.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-6.htm">Mattocks</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">Ploughs</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Plowshares</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-33.htm">Points</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-14.htm">Price</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-13.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-30.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-12.htm">Setting</a> <a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">Shekel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Sickles</a> <a href="/job/4-10.htm">Teeth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-13.htm">Third</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-8.htm">Thirds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-13.htm">Three</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-13.htm">Three-Pronged</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-8.htm">Two-Thirds</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Saul's select band</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-3.htm">He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-5.htm">The Philistines' great army</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-6.htm">The distress of the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-8.htm">Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-11.htm">Samuel reproves him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">The three raiding parties of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm">The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The charge was a pim for sharpening a plowshare or mattock</b><br>In ancient Israel, the Philistines had a significant technological advantage over the Israelites, particularly in metallurgy. The term "pim" refers to a weight measure used in the context of commerce, roughly equivalent to two-thirds of a shekel. This indicates the cost imposed by the Philistines for sharpening agricultural tools, which were essential for farming. The Philistines' control over metalworking and their imposition of charges for tool maintenance highlight their dominance and the subjugation of the Israelites. This situation underscores the broader theme of Israel's struggle for independence and self-sufficiency during the time of Saul. The mention of specific tools like the plowshare and mattock emphasizes the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and their dependence on agriculture for survival.<p><b>a third of a shekel for sharpening a pitchfork or an axe</b><br>The reference to "a third of a shekel" further illustrates the economic burden placed on the Israelites by the Philistines. The shekel was a standard unit of weight and currency in the ancient Near East. By controlling the sharpening of essential tools like the pitchfork and axe, the Philistines maintained economic leverage over the Israelites. This control extended beyond mere military dominance, affecting daily life and labor. The pitchfork and axe were crucial for both agriculture and construction, indicating that the Philistines' influence permeated various aspects of Israelite society. This situation reflects the broader biblical theme of oppression and the need for deliverance, which is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament.<p><b>and a third of a shekel for repointing an oxgoad</b><br>The oxgoad was a tool used to drive oxen, essential for plowing fields. The mention of a charge for "repointing" suggests the maintenance of this tool was also under Philistine control. The economic exploitation through such charges highlights the Israelites' vulnerability and dependence on their oppressors. This scenario is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God's people face oppression and seek deliverance. The oxgoad itself is a symbol of labor and productivity, and its mention here underscores the Philistines' strategic control over the Israelites' ability to sustain themselves. This passage, while detailing a specific historical and economic situation, also points to the broader spiritual struggle and the need for divine intervention, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who is leading the Israelites during this time of conflict with the Philistines.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A neighboring people who were often in conflict with Israel. They had superior technology, including ironworking, which they used to dominate the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, who were under the leadership of King Saul and were struggling against the Philistine oppression.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/geba.htm">Geba</a></b><br>A location in Israel where the Philistines had a garrison, indicating their control over the region.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/ironworking.htm">Ironworking</a></b><br>A significant technological advantage held by the Philistines, which they used to control and oppress the Israelites by limiting their access to metal tools and weapons.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_over_technology.htm">Dependence on God Over Technology</a></b><br>The Israelites' lack of iron tools and weapons highlights their vulnerability and dependence on God for deliverance. In our lives, we should prioritize reliance on God over material or technological advantages.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_oppression_of_sin.htm">The Oppression of Sin</a></b><br>Just as the Philistines oppressed the Israelites by controlling their access to tools, sin can control and oppress us. We must seek God's help to break free from sin's hold.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/resourcefulness_in_adversity.htm">Resourcefulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Despite the Philistines' control, the Israelites found ways to maintain their tools. This teaches us to be resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges, trusting God to provide solutions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_disobedience.htm">The Cost of Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul's disobedience earlier in the chapter led to God's judgment and the Israelites' precarious situation. Obedience to God is crucial for His blessing and protection.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/summarize_the_exodus_from_egypt..htm">What does the Bible say about gun confiscation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_sam_13_1-2_and_acts_13_21_align.htm">How does 1 Samuel 13:1-2 reconcile with Acts 13:21, which states Saul reigned for forty years?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_famine_years_for_david.htm">God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine? Seven (2 Samuel 24:13) Three (I Chronicles 21:12)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_goliath's_death_accounts.htm">How do we reconcile 2 Samuel 21:19 (attributing Goliath's death to Elhanan) with David's victory in 1 Samuel 17?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Yet they had a file for the mattocks . . .</span>--This translation, the sense of which is not very clear, is supported by the Targum and by many of the great Hebrew commentators--Rashi, for instance. Gesenius and the majority of modern scholars, however, render the word in the original translated "file" (<span class= "ital">p'tsirah</span>) by "bluntness." The passage then would run: "And there was bluntness (or dulness) of edge to the mattocks; "or," so that bluntness of the edges occurred to the mattocks." "The forks" were probably an instrument with three prongs, like our trident.<p><span class= "bld">And to sharpen the goads.</span>--The words from "and there was bluntness," &c. (English Version, "they had a file"), down to "axes," form a parenthesis.<p>"This parenthesis indicates that the result of the burthensome necessity of going to the Philistines was that many tools became useless by dulness, so that even these poorer sort of arms did the Israelites not much service at the breaking out of the war."--Bunsen.<p>The LXX. read this 21st verse with considerable changes: "And the vintage was ready to be gathered, and the tools were three shekels to the tooth to sharpen], and to the axe and to the scythe there was the same rate" (or, as the Greek has been rendered," tools cost three shekels apiece [to sharpen]").<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A file.</span> Margin, <span class="accented">a file with mouths.</span> The word only occurs here, and is translated a file on the authority of Rashi. Almost all modern commentators agree that it means <span class="accented">bluntness</span>, and that this verse should be joined on to the preceding, and the two be translated, "But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his sickle, and his ploughshare, and his axe, and his mattock, whenever the edges of the mattocks, and the ploughshares, and the forks, and the axes were blunt, and also to set (so the margin rightly) the goads." The Israelites were thus in a state of complete dependence upon the Philistines, even for carrying on their agriculture, and probably retained only the hill country, while their enemies were masters of the plains. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The charge</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפְּצִ֣ירָה</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pə·ṣî·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6477.htm">Strong's 6477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps bluntness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a pim</span><br /><span class="heb">פִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the plowshares</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמַּֽחֲרֵשֹׁת֙</span> <span class="translit">(lam·ma·ḥă·rê·šōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4281.htm">Strong's 4281: </a> </span><span class="str2">A plowshare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and mattocks,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָ֣אֵתִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·’ê·ṯîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_855.htm">Strong's 855: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hoe, other digging implement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a third [of a pim]</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלִשְׁלֹ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·liš·lōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the pitchforks</span><br /><span class="heb">קִלְּשׁ֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(qil·lə·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7053.htm">Strong's 7053: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps fine point</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and axes</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְהַקַּרְדֻּמִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·haq·qar·dum·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7134.htm">Strong's 7134: </a> </span><span class="str2">An axe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and for repointing</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְהַצִּ֖יב</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·haṣ·ṣîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5324.htm">Strong's 5324: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take one's stand, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an oxgoad.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּרְבָֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·rə·ḇān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1861.htm">Strong's 1861: </a> </span><span class="str2">A goad</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/13-21.htm">1 Samuel 13:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 13:21 Yet they had a file (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 13:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 13:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/13-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 13:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 13:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>