1 Samuel 21:7
New International Version
Now one of Saul’s servants was there that day, detained before the LORD; he was Doeg the Edomite, Saul’s chief shepherd.

New Living Translation
Now Doeg the Edomite, Saul’s chief herdsman, was there that day, having been detained before the LORD.

English Standard Version
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s herdsmen.

Berean Standard Bible
Now one of Saul’s servants was there that day, detained before the LORD. And his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief shepherd for Saul.

King James Bible
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

New King James Version
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul.

New American Standard Bible
Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.

NASB 1995
Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.

NASB 1977
Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Yahweh; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.

Amplified Bible
Now one of Saul’s servants was there that day, detained before the LORD; his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.

Christian Standard Bible
One of Saul’s servants, detained before the LORD, was there that day. His name was Doeg the Edomite, chief of Saul’s shepherds.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One of Saul’s servants, detained before the LORD, was there that day. His name was Doeg the Edomite, chief of Saul’s shepherds.

American Standard Version
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Jehovah; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chiefest of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul.

Contemporary English Version
It so happened that one of Saul's officers was there, worshiping the LORD that day. His name was Doeg the Edomite, and he was the strongest of Saul's shepherds.

English Revised Version
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That same day one of Saul's servants who was obligated to stay in the LORD's presence was there. His name was Doeg. A foreman for Saul's shepherds, he was from Edom.

Good News Translation
Saul's chief herdsman, Doeg, who was from Edom, happened to be there that day, because he had to fulfill a religious obligation.)

International Standard Version
Now, Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul's officials, was there that day, detained in the LORD's presence. He was the chief of Saul's shepherds.

Majority Standard Bible
Now one of Saul?s servants was there that day, detained before the LORD. And his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief shepherd for Saul.

NET Bible
(One of Saul's servants was there that day, detained before the LORD. His name was Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul's shepherds.)

New Heart English Bible
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the best of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

World English Bible
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Yahweh; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the best of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there [is] a man of the servants of Saul detained before YHWH on that day, and his name [is] Doeg the Edomite, chief of the shepherds whom Saul has.

Young's Literal Translation
And there is a man of the servants of Saul on that day detained before Jehovah, and his name is Doeg the Edomite, chief of the shepherds whom Saul hath.

Smith's Literal Translation
The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for 1 Sam 21:8 And a man there from the servants of Saul in that day, withheld before Jehovah; and his name Doeg, the Edomite, a powerful one of the shepherds which were to Saul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, within the tabernacle of the Lord: and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of Saul's herdsmen.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now a certain man among the servants of Saul was there on that day, inside the tabernacle of the Lord. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the most powerful among the shepherds of Saul.

New American Bible
One of Saul’s servants was there that day, detained before the LORD; his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.

New Revised Standard Version
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priest gave to him the holy thing because there was no bread except the bread of the presence that was taken from before LORD JEHOVAH, to set hot bread on the day it is taken
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there was there on that day one of Saul's servants detained before the Lord, and his name was Doec the Syrian, tending the mules of Saul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Takes the Consecrated Bread
6So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there but the Bread of the Presence, which had been removed from before the LORD and replaced with hot bread on the day it was taken away. 7Now one of Saul’s servants was there that day, detained before the LORD. And his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief shepherd for Saul.

Cross References
Psalm 52:1-9
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. / Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah ...

1 Samuel 22:9-10
But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. / Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

1 Samuel 22:18-19
So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

1 Samuel 14:7
His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

1 Samuel 22:22
Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul. I myself am responsible for the lives of everyone in your father’s house.

1 Samuel 23:19
Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?

1 Samuel 26:1
Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”

1 Samuel 24:9
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?

1 Samuel 25:10
But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.

1 Samuel 30:15
“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.”

2 Samuel 23:37
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

2 Samuel 15:12
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

2 Samuel 16:23
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

2 Samuel 17:1-4
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” ...

2 Samuel 19:25-27
And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?” / “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me, / and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes.


Treasury of Scripture

Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the most chief of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul.

detained

Jeremiah 7:9-11
Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; …

Ezekiel 33:31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Amos 8:5
Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

doeg

1 Samuel 22:9
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

Psalm 52:1
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

herdmen

1 Samuel 11:5
And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

Genesis 13:7,8
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land…

Genesis 26:20
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.

Jump to Previous
Belonged Best Chief Chiefest Detained Doeg Do'eg Edomite E'domite Head Herdmen Herdsmen Kept Saul Saul's Servants Shepherd Shepherds Strongest
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Belonged Best Chief Chiefest Detained Doeg Do'eg Edomite E'domite Head Herdmen Herdsmen Kept Saul Saul's Servants Shepherd Shepherds Strongest
1 Samuel 21
1. David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread
7. Doeg is present
8. David takes Goliath's sword
10. David at Gath feigns himself insane














Now one of Saul’s servants
This phrase introduces us to a character who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative. The term "servants" in Hebrew is "עֲבָדִים" (avadim), which can also mean "officials" or "attendants." This indicates that Doeg held a position of some importance within Saul's court. In the broader biblical context, servants of a king often had significant influence and could impact the king's decisions, as seen in other narratives throughout the Old Testament.

was there that day
The phrase "that day" situates the events in a specific time frame, emphasizing the immediacy and urgency of the situation. It suggests that Doeg's presence was not coincidental but divinely orchestrated. In the biblical narrative, timing often plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plans, reminding us of the providential nature of God's timing in our own lives.

detained before the LORD
The Hebrew word for "detained" is "עָצַר" (atsar), which can mean to restrain or hold back. This suggests that Doeg was not there by his own volition but was somehow compelled to remain. The phrase "before the LORD" indicates a religious or ritual context, possibly implying that Doeg was fulfilling a vow or participating in a religious observance. This highlights the intersection of divine providence and human action, a recurring theme in Scripture.

and his name was Doeg the Edomite
The name "Doeg" is derived from the Hebrew root "דּוֹאֵג" (doeg), meaning "anxious" or "fearful." This name may reflect his character or foreshadow his actions later in the narrative. As an Edomite, Doeg was a descendant of Esau, Jacob's brother, which historically placed him outside the covenant community of Israel. This background adds a layer of tension, as Edomites were often in conflict with Israel, highlighting the complexities of loyalty and identity.

the chief shepherd for Saul
The title "chief shepherd" indicates a position of authority and responsibility. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, shepherds were often used metaphorically to describe leaders and kings, as they were responsible for the welfare and guidance of their flock. Doeg's role as chief shepherd suggests he had significant influence and access to Saul, which would later have dire consequences for David and the priests of Nob. This serves as a reminder of the weight of leadership and the impact of one's actions on others.

(7) A certain man.--Among the personages who surround Saul in the Bible story appears incidentally the keeper of the royal mules, and chief of the household slaves, the "Comes stabuli," "the constable of the king," as appears in the later monarchy. "He is the first instance of a foreigner employed in a high function in Israel, being an Edomite, or Syrian, of the name of Doeg--according to Jewish tradition, the steward who accompanied Saul in his pursuit after the asses, who counselled him to send for David, and who ultimately slew him, according to the sacred narrative--a person of vast and sinister influence in his master's counsels." (Stanley, Lectures on the Jewish Church, Lect. 21) Some traditions affirm that the armour-bearer who slew Saul on Mount Gilboa was not Doeg, but Doeg's son.

The Hebrew words rendered in the English Version, "the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul," are translated in the LXX. by "feeding the mules of Saul;" and in accordance with this reading, in 1Samuel 22:9 also, they have changed "Saul's servants" into "Saul's mules." The Vulg. and the other versions, however, translate as the English Version, "potentissimus pastorum," although in some of the Vulg. MSS. there is an explanatory gloss, evidently derived from the singular interpretation of the LXX., "This (man) used to feed Saul's mules." There can be no foundation in tradition or otherwise for such a reading, as we never read until the days of King David of mules being used by royal princes. (See 2Samuel 13:29; 2Samuel 18:9.) Before David's time, the sons of princes used to ride on asses. (See Judges 10:4; Judges 12:14.) Ewald, disregarding the current Jewish tradition respecting the ancient connection of Doeg with the house of Kish, considers that this influential chieftain of the king probably came over to Saul in his war with Edom. . . .

Verse 7. - David's visit to Nob had probably been dictated simply by a desire to get food while a few attendants were being collected for him, and under ordinary circumstances would have remained unknown to Saul. Unfortunately there chanced to be a person present there who informed the king of it, and brought a second terrible catastrophe upon the house of Eli (see on 1 Samuel 2:33); by working too upon his jealousy he caused Saul to commit a crime which sets him before us as a hateful and remorseless tyrant. This man was Doeg, an Edomite, who had, it seems, long been in Saul's service, as he was his chief herdsman. According to the Septuagint he had charge of the king's mules, but the other versions agree with the Hebrew. As herds would form the main part of Saul's wealth, his chief herdsman would be a person of importance. He was detained before Jehovah. I.e. shut up in close seclusion within the precincts of the tabernacle, either for some vow, or for purification, or perhaps as suspected of leprosy (Leviticus 13:4), or, as some think, as a proselyte. Ephrem Syrus thinks he had committed some trespass, and was detained till he had offered the appointed sacrifice. David at once felt that Doeg's presence boded much ill (1 Samuel 22:22), and it probably was the cause of his taking the rash resolution to flee for refuge to Gath.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now one
אִישׁ֩ (’îš)
0
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Saul's
שָׁא֜וּל (šā·’ūl)
0
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

servants
מֵעַבְדֵ֨י (mê·‘aḇ·ḏê)
0
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

was there
וְשָׁ֡ם (wə·šām)
0
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

that
הַה֗וּא (ha·hū)
0
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day,
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
0
Strong's 3117: A day

detained
נֶעְצָר֙ (ne‘·ṣār)
0
Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
0
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
0
Strong's 3069: YHWH

And his name [was]
וּשְׁמ֖וֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
0
Strong's 8034: A name

Doeg
דֹּאֵ֣ג (dō·’êḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 1673: Doeg -- an Edomite

the Edomite,
הָאֲדֹמִ֑י (hā·’ă·ḏō·mî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 130: Edomite -- a descendant of Edom

the chief
אַבִּ֥יר (’ab·bîr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 47: Mighty, valiant

shepherd
הָרֹעִ֖ים (hā·rō·‘îm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7473: Pastoral, a shepherd

for
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Saul.
לְשָׁאֽוּל׃ (lə·šā·’ūl)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 21:6
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