Lexical Summary iyt: Bird of prey, vulture Original Word: עִיט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fly, rail A primitive root; to swoop down upon (literally or figuratively) -- fly, rail. Brown-Driver-Briggs [עִיט] verb scream, shriek (Arabic  ,  II. scream, scold, screaming, scolding, Frey Dozyii. 195; Syriac  anger, reviling); — only Qal Imperfect3masculine singular וַיָּ֫עַט בָּהֶם 1 Samuel 25:14 and he screamed at them (of Nabal). [עִיט] verb denominative dart greedily (like a bird of prey); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular וַיַּ֫עַט Qr (Kt:erroneous ויעשׂ) 1 Samuel 14:32 and the people darted greedily upon the spoil (אֶלהַֿשָּׁלָל, so 2 masculine singular וַתַּ֫עַט 1 Samuel 15:19 (on forms see Ges§ 72 f f.). Topical Lexicon Overviewעִיט pictures a sudden, predatory plunge—whether literal as a bird of prey or figurative as a human act of rapacious haste. The verb appears only twice, both in 1 Samuel, and on each occasion it exposes a heart that acts impulsively and selfishly, in direct contrast to a life ordered by the word of the Lord. Occurrences in Scripture “Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you rush headlong into the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?” “One of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, ‘Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he railed at them.’” (The servant literally says that Nabal “swooped upon” them.) Association with Predatory Imagery The root evokes the swoop of a vulture or hawk seizing prey—swift, noisy, unreflective, and driven by appetite. By applying this verb to human conduct, Scripture brands certain deeds as animal-like grabs for advantage, undertaken without reverence for God or regard for neighbor. Saul’s Disobedient Plunder (1 Samuel 15:19) After the victory over Amalek, Saul was commanded to devote everything to destruction. Instead, he and the people “rushed headlong into the plunder.” The vocabulary highlights three truths: Nabal’s Contemptuous Outburst (1 Samuel 25:14) When David’s men approached Nabal with a peaceful request, Nabal “swooped upon” them with scornful words. The servant’s choice of עִיט portrays Nabal’s tongue as a beak striking prey—sudden, harsh, and destructive. The term therefore extends beyond physical violence to verbal assault; the same predatory impulse can animate speech. Moral and Theological Themes 1. Impulsiveness vs. Obedience: Both accounts warn against acting before listening. Israel’s king ignored a clear command; a wealthy landowner ignored simple courtesy. Historical Background 1 Samuel records the turbulent transition from tribal confederation to monarchy. Military success, expanding wealth, and shifting social structures heightened opportunities for self-indulgence. The writer employs עִיט to expose a leadership culture prone to take rather than to serve, setting the stage for David’s contrasting ideal of a shepherd king. Practical and Ministry Implications • Leadership: Those entrusted with authority can quickly “swoop” on resources or people under the guise of success. Faithful leaders must cultivate deliberation and humility. Christological and Redemptive Thread Where Saul and Nabal grasped, Jesus “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6). He chose the path of self-giving, reversing the predatory model. Believers, united to Christ, are empowered to replace the swoop of selfish impulse with the steady flight of sacrificial love. Forms and Transliterations וַיָּ֥עַט וַתַּ֙עַט֙ ויעט ותעט vaiYaat vatTaat wat·ta·‘aṭ watta‘aṭ way·yā·‘aṭ wayyā‘aṭLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 15:19 HEB: בְּק֣וֹל יְהוָ֑ה וַתַּ֙עַט֙ אֶל־ הַשָּׁלָ֔ל NAS: of the LORD, but rushed upon the spoil KJV: of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, INT: the voice of the LORD rushed upon the spoil 1 Samuel 25:14 2 Occurrences |
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