1 Samuel 20:22
New International Version
But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away.

New Living Translation
But if I tell him, ‘Go farther—the arrows are still ahead of you,’ then it will mean that you must leave immediately, for the LORD is sending you away.

English Standard Version
But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away.

Berean Standard Bible
But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away.

King James Bible
But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

New King James Version
But if I say thus to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you’—go your way, for the LORD has sent you away.

New American Standard Bible
But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, because the LORD has sent you away.

NASB 1995
“But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the LORD has sent you away.

NASB 1977
“But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the LORD has sent you away.

Legacy Standard Bible
But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for Yahweh has sent you away.

Amplified Bible
But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away.

Christian Standard Bible
But if I say this to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you! ’ then go, for the LORD is sending you away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if I say this to the youth: ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you!’ then go, for the LORD is sending you away.

American Standard Version
But if I say thus unto the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way; for Jehovah hath sent thee away.

Contemporary English Version
But if it isn't safe, I'll say to the boy, "The arrows are farther away!" This will mean that the LORD wants you to leave, and you must go.

English Revised Version
But if I say thus unto the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee: go thy way; for the LORD hath sent thee away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if I tell the boy, 'The arrows are next to you,' then go, because the LORD has sent you away.

Good News Translation
But if I tell him, 'The arrows are on the other side of you,' then leave, because the LORD is sending you away.

International Standard Version
But if I say this to the young man: 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go, for the LORD has sent you away.

Majority Standard Bible
But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away.

NET Bible
But if I say to the boy, "Look, the arrows are on the other side of you,' get away. For in that case the LORD has sent you away.

New Heart English Bible
But if I say this to the boy, 'Look, the arrow is beyond you;' then go your way; for the LORD has sent you away.

Webster's Bible Translation
But if I say thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

World English Bible
But if I say this to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if thus I say to the young man, Behold, the arrows [are] beyond you—go, for YHWH has sent you away;

Young's Literal Translation
And if thus I say to the young man, Lo, the arrows are beyond thee, -- go, for Jehovah hath sent thee away;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if saying thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows from thee, and forward; go: for Jehovah sent thee away.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If I shall say to the boy: Behold the arrows are on this side of thee, take them up: come thou to me, because, there is peace to thee, and there is no evil, as the Lord liveth. But if I shall speak thus to the boy: Behold the arrows are beyond thee: go in peace, for the Lord hath sent thee away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If I will say to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are before you, take them up,’ you shall approach before me, because there is peace for you, and there is nothing evil, as the Lord lives. But if I will have spoken to the boy in this way, ‘Behold, the arrows are away from you,’ then you shall go away in peace, for the Lord has released you.

New American Bible
But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrow is beyond you,’ go, for the LORD sends you away.

New Revised Standard Version
But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go; for the LORD has sent you away.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if I say thus to the lad, Behold, the arrows are beyond you; then go your way; for the LORD has sent you away.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if I say thus to the boy: ‘Behold, the arrows are beside you and beyond!’ Go, because LORD JEHOVAH is sending you away
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if I say thus unto the boy: Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way; for the LORD hath sent thee away.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If I should expressly say to the lad, The arrow is here, and on this side of thee, take it; then come, for it is well with thee, and there is no reason for fear, as the Lord lives: but if I should say thus to the young man, The arrow is on that side of thee, and beyond; go, for the Lord hath sent thee away.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
21Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them,’ then come, because as surely as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. 22But if I say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, for the LORD has sent you away. 23And as for the matter you and I have discussed, the LORD is a witness between you and me forever.”…

Cross References
Genesis 31:49
It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.

2 Kings 6:23
So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:10
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

Jeremiah 9:4
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.

Jeremiah 20:10
For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Matthew 26:48-49
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

John 15:13-15
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. / You are My friends if you do what I command you. / No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

John 18:15-16
Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. / But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

Acts 9:25
One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.


Treasury of Scripture

But if I say thus to the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond you; go your way: for the LORD has sent you away.

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1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














But if I say to the young man
This phrase introduces a conditional statement, indicating a potential scenario. In the Hebrew context, the word "young man" (נַעַר, na'ar) often refers to a servant or a youth. Jonathan, the speaker, is using this phrase to communicate a secret message to David. The use of a young man as a messenger highlights the innocence and unawareness of the servant in the larger scheme of events, emphasizing the clandestine nature of Jonathan and David's communication.

‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’
The phrase "the arrows are beyond you" serves as a coded message. In the historical context, archery was a common skill, and the use of arrows here is symbolic. The Hebrew word for "beyond" (הָלְאָה, hal'ah) suggests something that is further away or out of reach. This phrase is a prearranged signal between Jonathan and David, indicating danger and the need for David to flee. The use of such a signal underscores the perilous situation and the need for discretion due to King Saul's hostility towards David.

then you must go
This directive is clear and urgent. The Hebrew verb for "go" (לֵךְ, lekh) is an imperative, conveying a sense of immediacy and necessity. Jonathan is instructing David to leave without delay, highlighting the seriousness of the threat posed by Saul. This command reflects Jonathan's loyalty and concern for David's safety, even at the risk of his own relationship with his father, Saul.

for the LORD has sent you away
This phrase attributes the situation to divine intervention. The use of "the LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) emphasizes the belief in God's sovereignty and guidance. In the conservative Christian perspective, this reflects the understanding that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, directing their paths according to His will. The phrase "has sent you away" suggests that David's departure is not merely a result of human circumstances but is orchestrated by God for a greater purpose. This underscores the theme of divine providence and protection throughout David's life, as God prepares him for future leadership over Israel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I say
אֹמַר֙ (’ō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the young man,
לָעֶ֔לֶם (lā·‘e·lem)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5958: Something kept out of sight, a lad

‘Look,
הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

the arrows [are]
הַחִצִּ֖ים (ha·ḥiṣ·ṣîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2678: An arrow

beyond you,’
מִמְּךָ֣ (mim·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

then
וָהָ֑לְאָה (wā·hā·lə·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 1973: To the distance, far away, thus far

you must go,
לֵ֕ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has sent you away.
שִֽׁלַּחֲךָ֖ (šil·la·ḥă·ḵā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say thus to (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:21
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