Original Word: פָגַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pagar
Pronunciation: pah-GAHR
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-gar')
KJV: be faint
NASB: exhausted
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to relax, i.e. become exhausted

be faint

A primitive root; to relax, i.e. Become exhausted -- be faint.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be exhausted or faint
NASB Translation
exhausted (2).

[מָּגַר] verb Pi`el be exhausted, faint (ᵑ7 מְּגַר derived species tear down, destroy; Assyrian pagru, body, corpse; Late Hebrew מֶּגֶר = Biblical Hebrew; Aramaic מַּגְרָא, ; Palmyrene פגר; Mandean פאגרא Nö^{M § 89}); — Perfect3plural מִּגְּרוּ מִן they were too faint to go, etc. 1 Samuel 30:10,21.

Scriptural Occurrences

פָגַר appears only twice, both in the narrative of David’s pursuit of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30). In each instance it describes the physical state of two hundred of David’s men who were “too exhausted” to continue the chase:
• 1 Samuel 30:10 – “but David and four hundred men continued the pursuit, while two hundred men who were too exhausted to cross the Brook Besor remained behind.”
• 1 Samuel 30:21 – “When David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who had stayed at the Brook Besor, they came out to meet David and the troops with him. David greeted them warmly.”

Historical Context

The crisis at Ziklag followed a three-day march from the Philistine front lines. On arrival, David’s company discovered the town burned and their families taken captive. Setting out immediately meant another punishing trek southward toward Egypt in a single day—over thirty miles of rough terrain. The men who faltered at the seasonal wadi Besor were veterans of the wilderness years, but they had already reached the limits of human endurance. Their exhaustion adds realism to the narrative and heightens the drama of David’s faith-filled leadership.

Themes and Theological Insights

1. Human Frailty. Scripture often balances accounts of heroic faith with reminders of bodily weakness. פָגַר underscores that even valiant warriors have limits.
2. Compassionate Leadership. David “greeted them warmly” (verse 21) and later defended them against accusations of freeloading (verse 23). Shepherd leadership values people above performance.
3. Shared Reward. David’s ordinance that “the share of the one who remains with the supplies shall be the same as the share of the one who goes down to battle” (1 Samuel 30:24) anticipates the New Testament principle that every member of the body is honored (1 Corinthians 12:22-26).
4. Divine Providence. Although half the fighting force stopped, the mission succeeded. Victory was ultimately the Lord’s, not the product of human strength alone.
5. Rest as Covenant Mercy. The Sabbath command teaches that rest is holy (Exodus 20:8-11). פָגַר reminds readers that rest is sometimes forced by circumstance, but it still functions within God’s providential care.

Davidic Leadership and Compassion

David’s response offers a template for spiritual authority:
• He refused to shame the weary.
• He affirmed their value to the community.
• He codified equity, turning a moment of crisis into lasting policy for Israel (1 Samuel 30:25).

These actions magnify the heart of the future king and prefigure the righteous reign promised in the Davidic covenant.

Principles for Ministry

1. Recognize Limits. Churches and ministries must acknowledge physical and emotional boundaries. Over-extension endangers both mission and people.
2. Protect the Weary. Just as the supplies at Besor were guarded, vulnerable believers require safeguarding rather than criticism.
3. Celebrate Every Contribution. Intercessors, senders, and logisticians share equally in kingdom reward with frontline workers.
4. Model Grace. Leaders who mirror David’s gracious greeting cultivate unity and prevent factionalism.

Biblical Call to Rest and Renewal

The Old Testament often connects exhaustion with divine invitation to rest (Deuteronomy 33:12, Psalm 127:2). In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills this motif: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The vocabulary differs, yet the theological thread is the same: God’s servants may grow faint, but God Himself supplies renewal.

Related Scripture Connections

• Judges 8:4-5 – Gideon’s men are “exhausted yet still in pursuit,” highlighting a recurring wartime tension between mission urgency and human limitation.
• Isaiah 40:29-31 – The prophet promises renewed strength for those who hope in the Lord, offering a divine answer to the condition that פָגַר describes.
• Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not grow weary in doing good,” linking physical tiredness with moral perseverance.

Concluding Reflections

פָגַר’s brief appearance serves as a strategic reminder that even warriors after God’s own heart need rest, mercy, and equitable treatment. Christian communities that honor these lessons reflect the character of their Shepherd-King, who “does not grow weary” (Isaiah 40:28) yet tenderly cares for those who do.

פִּגְּר֔וּ פִּגְּר֣וּ ׀ פגרו pig·gə·rū piggeRu piggərūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts