21 Yet they had a file [1] for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 13:21

New International Version

21 The price was two-thirds of a shekelThat is, about 1/4 ounce or about 8 grams for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekelThat is, about 1/8 ounce or about 4 grams for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

English Standard Version

21 and the charge was two-thirds of a shekelHebrew was a pim for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekelA shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads.The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain

The Message

21 They charged a silver coin for the plowshares and mattocks, and half that for the rest.

New King James Version

21 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.

New Living Translation

21 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:21

Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:15-23

(Read 1 Samuel 13:15-23)

See how politic the Philistines were when they had power; they not only prevented the people of Israel from making weapons of war, but obliged them to depend upon their enemies, even for instruments of husbandry. How impolitic Saul was, who did not, in the beginning of his reign, set himself to redress this. Want of true sense always accompanies want of grace. Sins which appear to us very little, have dangerous consequences. Miserable is a guilty, defenceless nation; much more those who are destitute of the whole armour of God.