What Does 1 Chronicles 19:14 Mean in the King James?
So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew for “drew nigh” means entering close encounter, so the hinge is proximity: as Joab’s side advances, the Syrians flee.
THE MEANING
Two movements meet in this scene: Joab and his people move toward battle, while the Syrians move away. The direction of a confrontation can turn; the force that stands before you is not immovable.
THE ROOT
וַיִּגַּשׁ
vayyiggash
GROWS FROM
נגשׁ
to approach, draw near, or enter into encounter
“drew nigh” in this verse is vayyiggash. This verb describes movement into close encounter. Its causative form can mean to bring or present something near, so the approach here is an active closing of distance toward the opposing army.
ALSO GROWS
nigash: approach, come near
נִגַּשׁ
This form shows the same root’s direct movement toward what stands before someone.
higgish: bring near, present
הִגִּישׁ
The causative form adds the sense of bringing something forward into an encounter.
וַיָּנֻסוּ
wayyanusu
GROWS FROM
נוס
to flee or escape
“fled” in this verse is wayyanusu. The root names physical movement away from danger. A related noun can mean both flight and refuge, keeping retreat tied to getting out of the threat’s reach.
ALSO GROWS
manos: refuge, escape
מָנוֹס
This related word names a place of escape, illuminating the direction of the Syrians’ flight.
menusah: flight, retreat
מְנוּסָה
This noun makes explicit the retreat already expressed by the verb in the verse.
THE PATTERN
When a confronting force is met directly, Scripture often depicts the balance reversing as opponents flee or scatter.
The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.THE THREAD
And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.“Come near” uses the same נגשׁ (n-g-sh) root as Joab’s “drew nigh.” Here it describes priests approaching the LORD; in Chronicles, it describes an army closing in on its enemies.
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