1 Samuel 17:21

וַתַּֽעֲרֹ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים מַֽעֲרָכָ֖ה לִקְרַ֥את מַֽעֲרָכָֽה
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וַ תַּֽעֲרֹ֤ךְ
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
תַּֽעֲרֹ֤ךְ
Root word array, order, value, expert, estimate, …
Dictionary form: עָרַךְ · aw-RAHK

וַ
Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person feminine singular simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

In the KJV here: had put the battle in array
in array ×7 in order ×5 expert ×3 order ×3 and put them in array ×2 and put themselves in array ×2 equal ×2 put themselves in array ×2
More options
arrange — Best general choice; covers ordering troops or objects.
set in order — Slightly more formal; good for ritual or liturgical contexts.
draw up — Preferred for military deployment of forces.
prepare — Use when the focus is readiness rather than sequence.
assess — Best when the sense is valuing or estimating worth.
compare — Use when two things are being set alongside each other.

BDB6381 H6186

BDB6380 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6382

עָרַךְ verb arrange or set in order (Late Hebrew id.; also roll dough, ᵑ7 עֲרַךְ id.; Phoenician ערכת CIS No. 132, 4 valuation, Bloch, but dubious; Arabic III. contend in battle, , battleground); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ע Job 32:14; 2Chr 13:3, ׳וְע consecutive Lev 1:12; Lev 6:5 עָרַכְתִּי Num 23:4 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַעֲרֹךְ Exod 27:21 +, etc.; Imperative עֶרְכָה Job 33:5, עִרְכוּ Jer 46:3; Jer 50:14 Infinitive absolute עָרֹךְ Isa 21:5 construct עֲרֹךָ Judg 20:22 +; Participle active plural עֹרְכִים Isa 65:11, etc.; passive עָרוּךְ Jer 6:23 +, construct עֱרוּךְ Joel 2:5, etc.; — not in D; —
1. a. arrange in order, seven altars Num 23:4, i.e. I have built seven altars in a row (compare בנה vNum 23:1), flax-stalks Josh 2:6 (both J E); especially
  b. set or lay in order, as wood Gen 22:9 (E), 1Kgs 18:33, compare Tophet Isa 30:33; Lev 1:7 offerings Lev 1:8; Lev 1:12; Lev 6:5 lamp(s) Exod 27:21; Lev 24:3; Lev 24:4 (all P), lamp (figurative of dynasty) Ps 132:17 'shew'-bread Exod 40:4; Exod 40:23 (upon [עַל] sacred שֻׁלְחָן both with accusative of congnate meaning with verb), Lev 24:8 (P).
  c. in common life (compare RS Sem i. 189 f., 2nd ed. 200 f.), arrange a table (i.e. dishes in order upon it), שֻׁלְחָן Isa 21:5; Prov 9:2 (figurative of wisdom), Ezek 23:41 (of Jerusalem in figure); Ps 23:5; Ps 78:19 (figurative; subject God); in idolatrous worship Isa 65:11.
  d. arrange a battle, i.e. draw up in battle order, מִלְחָמָה Judg 20:22; 1Sam 17:8 2 Sam 10:8> = 1Chr 19:9; 1Chr 12:37 (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:36), 2Chr 14:9, עֹרְכֵי מִלְחָמָה 1Chr 12:34; 1Chr 12:36 (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:33 v.1Chr 12:35); ׳עֱרוּךְ מ Joel 2:5 + אֵת with, i.e. against Judg 20:20; Gen 14:8, עִם 2Chr 13:8 + לִקְרַאת 1Sam 17:2; 1Chr 19:17 b; מַעֲרָכָה לִקְרַאת ׳ע 1Sam 17:21 לַמִּלְחָמָה עָרוּךְ כְּאִישׁ Jer 6:23; Jer 50:42 object omitted Judg 20:22; Judg 20:23, + לִקְרַאת 1Sam 4:2; 2Sam 10:9; 2Sam 10:10 = 1Chr 19:10; 1Chr 19:11; 2Sam 10:17 + אֶל against Judg 20:30; Jer 50:14; 1Chr 19:17 a, לְ against Jer 50:9>; — Job 6:4 read יַעַכְרוּנִי Di Bu Du.
  e. arrange weapons of army in order for battle Jer 46:3; 1Chr 12:9 (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:8). feminine arrange words (מִלִּין) Job 32:14 ( + אֶל against), so (object omitted) Job 33:5 ( + לְפָנַי), Job 37:19; Ps 5:4 (probably; > of arranging a sacrifice); compare recount things in order, יַעְרְכֶהָ לִי Isa 44:7.
  g. state in order, set forth a legal case Job 13:18; Job 23:4, so probably (object omitted) of God Ps 50:21 ( + לְעֵינֶיךָ), and (passive of בְּרִית) 2Sam 23:5 (compare Dr). — הֲיַעֲרֹךְ שׁועך Job 36:19 is difficult: Di will he set thy cry (שַׁוְעֲךָ) in order? Bi (for לֹא) לוֺ ׳הֲיֵעָרֵךְ שׁ shall thy cry be set in order unto him? (sense good, although Niph`al not found); see al. in Di.
2. a. compare (as result of arranging in order): לֿוֺ׳מַהדְּֿמוּת תַּע Isa 40:18 what likeness will ye compare to him? אֵין עֲרֹךְ אֵלֶיךָ Ps 40:6.
  b. intransitive be comparable, with לְ, Ps 89:7 (|| דָּמָה), with suffix of thing compared Job 28:17; Job 28:19.

BDB6383 H6186

BDB6382 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6384

[עָרַךְ] verb denominative Hiph`il value (for taxation), tax (from עֵרֶח

2.); — Perfect 3 masculine singular הֶעֶרִיח אֶתהָֿאָרֶץ 2Kgs 23:35 in P, ׳וְהֶע consecutive, with accusative of person Lev 27:8; Lev 27:12 with suffix vLev 27:14 Imperfect. יַעֲרִיח vLev 27:14 suffix יַעֲרִיכֶנּוּ vLev 27:8.

array, order, value, expert, estimate, …
ʿārak
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
  • to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare
    • (Qal)
      • to arrange or set or lay in order, arrange, state in order, set forth (a legal case), set in place
        • "to compare, be comparable
    (Hiphil) to value, tax

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Root word a name — transliterate it ("For israel")
Dictionary form: יִשְׂרָאֵל · yis-raw-ALE

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: for israel
of israel ×1594 israel ×543 in israel ×84 and israel ×55 o israel ×28 against israel ×19 for israel ×15 from israel ×13
More options
Israel — Standard modern rendering for the nation or people.
the Israelites — Use when referring to the people collectively as a group.
the people of Israel — Emphasizes communal identity; good for narrative contexts.
the nation of Israel — Highlights political or national dimension.
the land of Israel — Use only when geographic territory is clearly in view.
Jacob — Poetic/prophetic synonym; use where parallelism demands it.

BDB3770 H3478

BDB3769 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3771

יִשְׂרָאֵל proper name and derivatives, see below I. שׂרה.

BDB8317 H3478

BDB8316 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8318

יִשְׂרָאֵל2507 proper name, masculine and of a people Israel (El persisteth, persevereth (or jussive Let El persist) [usually contendeth (NesEg.60 ff.) or Let El contend (GrayProp. N. 218), but see DrHast. DB JACOB 530]; on vocalization see LagBN 131 f. Kit1Chr 4:16 (Hpt); MI5, + 5 t. ישראל; in Egyptian Y-si-r-'l SteindZAW xvi (1896), 331, compare BreastedBib. World ix (1897), 62 ff. PatonSyr. and Pal. 134; Assyrian Sir-'-lai (= יִשְׂרְאֵלִי) SchrKG 356 ff., 364; COT Gen 36:31; 1Kgs 16:29. — On a possibly relation of ׳יִשׂ to proper name שָׂרַי, שָׂרָה see RSK 257, 2nd ed. 34; — compare שְׂרָיָה(וּׅ; — Ισραηλ:

1. proper name, masculine second name of Jacob Gen 32:29 + 28 t. Genesis (JE), Exod 32:13 (JE), Hos 12:13; Judg 18:29; Exod 6:14; Num 1:20; Num 26:5 (all P), 2Kgs 17:34; 1Chr 1:34 + 8 t. Chronicles, Ps 105:23 ׳בֵּית יִשׂ Ruth 4:11 ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ (literal) Gen 42:5 + 3 t. E, 2 t. P + Exod 1:7 (P; transition to wider use), 1Kgs 18:31; 1Chr 2:1 +; = 12 tribes Exod 28:9 + 7 t. P; ׳אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיִשׂ 1Kgs 18:36; 1Chr 29:18; 2Chr 30:6.
2. proper name, of a people (usually masculineJudg 11:17f. but feminine 1Sam 17:21; 2Sam 24:9 [not || 1Chr 21:5], compare Dron the passage AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 57 f.): name of Hebrew nation; usually derived from 1, but ׳יִשׂ more common in early usage than ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ (see בֵּן p. 120:b):
  a. (1) undivided kingdom; ׳יִשׂ Gen 47:27 (J), Gen 49:7 (poem in J) + 108 t. J E, Deut 1:1; Deut 18:6; Deut 33:10 (poem) + 76 t. D, Gen 34:7; Exod 12:15 + 42 t. P; Judg 5:2; Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) + 104 t. Judges; often 1 and 2 Samuel; 1 Ki 1-12; ׳כָּליִֿשׂ of whole people 2Sam 8:15 +, of whole army 2Sam 11:1 +, opposed to Judah 2Sam 2:9 + (so also later). (2) ׳יִשׂ = Northern tribes, distinguished from Judah, even before disruption, 2Sam 2:9, compare v2Sam 2:10; 2Sam 3:10; 2Sam 4:1; 2Sam 5:5; 2Sam 12:7; 2Sam 20:1; 1Kgs 1:35; 1Kgs 4:20; 1Kgs 5:5 +; so at disruption 1Kgs 12:16 (3 t. in verse); 1Kgs 12:18; 1Kgs 12:19 then usually of Northern kingdom, till its fall, v1Kgs 12:28; 1Kgs 24:7; 1Kgs 24:10 + very often Kings, Amos 1:1; Amos 2:6; Amos 3:14 +, Hos 1:5; Hos 4:15 (twice in verse); Hos 5:3 (twice in verse); Hos 5:5 +, Mic 1:13, etc. (3) ׳יִשׂ of Southern kingdom, Judah, rarely before fall of Samaria Isa 1:3; Isa 8:18; Mic 1:14; Mic 1:15, so ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ 1Kgs 12:17 after fall of Samaria, ׳יִשׂ (less often ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ) occurs of entire people, in reference to past or future 2Kgs 21:8; 2Kgs 23:22; Isa 17:9; Ps 103:7; Jer 2:3; Jer 50:17; Jer 50:19 +; ׳יִשׂ also = Judah Jer 2:14; Jer 2:31; Jer 4:1 +, Ezek 13:2; Ezek 13:4; Ezek 13:16; Ezek 14:1; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9 +, Isa 40:27; Isa 41:8; Isa 42:24 +, Ezra 2:59 = Neh 7:61; Ezra 2:70; Ezra 3:11 +, Neh 10:34; Neh 10:3 +, Ps 14:7 (twice in verse) = Ps 53:7 (twice in verse), Ps 147:2; Ps 149:2 +, etc. (4) usage in Chronicles: ׳יִשׂ of whole people 1Chr 2:7 + 110 t., of Northern kingdom 2Chr 11:1 + 16 t., of Judah 2Chr 12:6; 2Chr 19:8 + 9 t. (5) ׳יִשׂ personified as ׳עֶבֶד י, Isa 44:1; Isa 44:21; Isa 49:3.
  b. ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ, (1) of undivided people Exod 1:12 (J), Exod 3:9 (E) + 72 t. J E, Deut 3:18; Deut 10:6 + 25 t. D, Gen 32:33 + 327 t. P; Judg 1:1 + 60 t. Judges; seldom 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Ki 1-12; in 1Kings 13—2Kings 25 passive in reference to older history (rarely otherwise). (2) seldom of Northern kingdom Amos 2:11 + 9 t. Amos, Hosea; 2Chr 13:12 + 7 t. Chronicles. (3) of Judah (late) Ezek 2:3; Neh 1:6 (twice in verse); Ezra 3:1; Joel 4:16 +, 2Chr 31:5.
  c. בֵּית ׳יִשׂ Exod 16:31; Exod 40:38 + 142 t. (see בַּיִת 5 d (δ); 81 t. Ezekiel, where = Judah; see especially Exod 37:16); ׳שְׁנֵי בָֽתֵּי יִשׂ Isa 8:14.
  d. other phrases, see sub אִישׁ, אֶרֶץ, בַּת, בְּתוּלָה, גְּבוּל, הַר, כִּסֵּא, מֶלֶךְ, (נטה) מַטֶּה, (יעד) עֵדָה, עַם, שֵׁבֶט; also (in epithet of ׳י) below אָבִיר, אוֺר, אֱלֹחִים, I. גָּוֺאל, מֶלֶךְ, מִקְוֶה (I. קוה), I. צוּר (V. צור), קָדוֺשׁ, I. רָעָה 1 d (3).
  e. ׳יִשׂ = the laity, opposed to priests, etc. (late): Ezra 10:25; Neh 11:3; 1Chr 9:2 ׳כָּליִֿשׂ Ezra 2:70; Ezra 10:5 ׳הָעָם יִשׂ Ezra 9:1 ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ Neh 10:40, compare ׳שְׁאָר יִשׂ Neh 11:20.

BDB9596 H3478 H3479

BDB9595 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9597

יִשְׂרָאֵל proper name, of a people Israel (Biblical Hebrew id., √ I. שָׂרָה); — ׳אֱלַהּ יִשׁ Ezra 5:1; Ezra 6:14; Ezra 7:15 ׳מֶלֶךְ לְיִשׂ Ezra 5:11 ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ Ezra 6:16, ׳עַמָּא יִשׂ Ezra 7:13.

israel, israelites, israels
yiśrāʾēl
God prevails
he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
  • the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel
    • "the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob
    • the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split
      • "the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah"the name of the nation after the return from exile

וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
Root word a name — transliterate it ("And the philistines")
Dictionary form: פְּלִשְׁתִּי · peh-lish-TEE

Noun — Gentilic, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"; a people-group name (like "Hittite")

In the KJV here: and the philistines
of the philistines ×100 the philistines ×80 and the philistines ×28 the philistine ×16 and the philistine ×6 philistine ×6 now the philistines ×4 when the philistines ×4
More options
Philistine — Standard singular form; use for individuals or as adjective.
Philistines — Standard plural; default choice for the collective people.
Philistine (adjective) — Modifies nouns, e.g. 'Philistine king' or 'Philistine army'.
the Philistines — Definite plural; use when referring to the nation as a whole.
the Philistine people — Adds clarity when ethnic or national identity needs emphasis.
the Philistine forces — Military context; makes collective reference concrete.

BDB6674 H6430

BDB6673 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6675

פְּלִשְׁתִּי288 adjective, of a people Philistine, (οί) Φυλιστιειμ; and (not in Hexateuch) (ό) ἀλλόφυλος, (οί) ἀλλόφυλοι; — only as substantive: ׳הַפּ the Philistine (Goliath) slain by David 1Sam 17:8 + 27 t. 17, 1Sam 18:6; 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 21:10; 1Sam 22:10 one slain byAbishai 2Sam 21:17 elsewhere plural the Philistines,:255 usually פְּלִשְׁתִּים without article, rarely ׳הַפּ 1Sam 4:7; 1Sam 7:13 + (especially with preposition ׳בַּפּ v1Sam 7:13 +, and then perhaps due to punctuators), Gen 10:14 = 1Chr 1:12; Gen 26:14; Gen 26:15; Gen 26:18; Judg 3:31 + 33 t. Judges; 1Sam 4:1 (twice in verse) + 118 t. 1 Samuel; 2Sam 1:20 + 28 t. 2 Samuel +; ׳אֶרֶץ פ Gen 21:32; Gen 21:34 + 12 t.; ׳שְׂדֵה פ 1Sam 6:1; 1Sam 27:7; 1Sam 27:11 ׳מֶלֶךְ פ Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8 ׳שָׂרֵי פ 1Sam 18:30 + 5 t.; ׳סַרְנֵי פ Josh 13:3; Judg 3:3 + 13 t.; ׳יָם פ Exod 23:31 ׳אֱלֹהֵי פ Judg 10:6. — compare כְּרֵתִי, II. כַּפְתּוֺר. On Philistines see also WMMAs.u.Eur.387f. EvansCretan Pictographs, 100 ff. SchwZWT xxxiv. 103 f., 255.

philistines, philistine, philistim
pĕlištî
immigrants
a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
  • an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan

מַֽעֲרָכָ֖ה
מַֽעֲרָכָ֖ה
Root word army, armies, fight, order, place, …
Dictionary form: מַעֲרָכָה · ma-uh-raw-KAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: army
the armies ×5 army ×2 the army ×2 in the ordered place ×1 into the army ×1 of the armies ×1 of the army ×1 out of the army ×1
More options
battle line — Best for military contexts; vivid and precise.
formation — Fits both military and ordered arrangements broadly.
rank — Emphasizes structured rows or positions within a unit.
army — General collective sense; use when full force is meant.
array — Captures ordered arrangement; slightly formal but not archaic.
row — Prefer for non-military, physical arrangements in sequence.

BDB6385 H4634 H4630

BDB6384 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6386

מַעֲרָכָה noun feminine row, rank, battle-line; —

1. a. ׳מ battle-line 1Sam 4:2; 1Sam 4:12; 1Sam 4:16 (twice in verse); ׳וַיָּ֑רָץ הַמּ 1Sam 17:22 and he ran to the battle-line, so v1Sam 17:28 (on reference here to Israel's line of. HPS), ׳לפְרַאת מ ׳מ v1Sam 17:21 ׳עֹדְרֵי מ 1Chr 12:39 (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:38); nearly= battle הַחַיִל ׳הַאיּצֵא אֶלהַֿמּ 1Sam 17:20.
  b. plural ranks = army; construct ׳מַעַרְכוֺת יִשׂ 1Sam 17:10; 1Sam 17:45, ׳מַעַרְכֹת יִשׂ v1Sam 17:8 ׳מ אֱלּהִים חַיִּים v1Sam 17:26 v1Sam 17:36 פְּלִשְׁתִּים ׳מ 1Sam 23:3 and 1Sam 17:23 Qr, so ᵐ5A (v. omitted by B) Vulgate ᵑ7; singular ᵐ5L ᵑ6 (> Kt מערות).
2. נֵרוֺת הַמַּעֲרָכָה Exod 39:37 lamps of the row, i.e. arranged in a row.
**
3. order, arrangement: ׳בַּמּ Judg 6:26 in the (proper or usual) arrangement of an alter, compare עָרַךְ 1 a Num 23:4 of altar.

army, armies, fight, order, place, …
maʿărākâ
an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array
  • row, rank, battle-line
    • battle-line
      • "rank"row

לִ קְרַ֥את
לִ
Prefix — preposition to, for
קְרַ֥את
Root word meet, against, met, seek, way, …
Dictionary form: קִרְאָה · kir-AW

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: against
to meet ×53 against ×34 to meet him ×5 met ×3 to meet them ×3 against him ×2 against he come ×1 against you ×1
More options
meet — Most direct and broadly applicable modern rendering.
encounter — Slightly more formal; good for planned or significant meetings.
confront — Use when the meeting carries hostility or opposition.
go out to — Captures the movement toward someone implied by the lemma.
receive — Fits welcoming or ceremonial contexts of coming to meet someone.
intercept — Best when the meeting is deliberate and blocking in nature.

BDB7557 H7122 H7125

BDB7556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7558

[קְרַאת], לִקְרַאת to meet, see II. קדא. p. 896.

meet, against, met, seek, way, …
qirʾâ
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
  • (n m) to encounter, befall, meet
    • (Qal)
      • to meet, encounter
        • "to befall (figuratively)

מַֽעֲרָכָֽה
מַֽעֲרָכָֽה
Root word army, armies, fight, order, place, …
Dictionary form: מַעֲרָכָה · ma-uh-raw-KAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: army
the armies ×5 army ×2 the army ×2 in the ordered place ×1 into the army ×1 of the armies ×1 of the army ×1 out of the army ×1
More options
battle line — Best for military contexts; vivid and precise.
formation — Fits both military and ordered arrangements broadly.
rank — Emphasizes structured rows or positions within a unit.
army — General collective sense; use when full force is meant.
array — Captures ordered arrangement; slightly formal but not archaic.
row — Prefer for non-military, physical arrangements in sequence.

BDB6385 H4634 H4630

BDB6384 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6386

מַעֲרָכָה noun feminine row, rank, battle-line; —

1. a. ׳מ battle-line 1Sam 4:2; 1Sam 4:12; 1Sam 4:16 (twice in verse); ׳וַיָּ֑רָץ הַמּ 1Sam 17:22 and he ran to the battle-line, so v1Sam 17:28 (on reference here to Israel's line of. HPS), ׳לפְרַאת מ ׳מ v1Sam 17:21 ׳עֹדְרֵי מ 1Chr 12:39 (van d. H. v.1Chr 12:38); nearly= battle הַחַיִל ׳הַאיּצֵא אֶלהַֿמּ 1Sam 17:20.
  b. plural ranks = army; construct ׳מַעַרְכוֺת יִשׂ 1Sam 17:10; 1Sam 17:45, ׳מַעַרְכֹת יִשׂ v1Sam 17:8 ׳מ אֱלּהִים חַיִּים v1Sam 17:26 v1Sam 17:36 פְּלִשְׁתִּים ׳מ 1Sam 23:3 and 1Sam 17:23 Qr, so ᵐ5A (v. omitted by B) Vulgate ᵑ7; singular ᵐ5L ᵑ6 (> Kt מערות).
2. נֵרוֺת הַמַּעֲרָכָה Exod 39:37 lamps of the row, i.e. arranged in a row.
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3. order, arrangement: ׳בַּמּ Judg 6:26 in the (proper or usual) arrangement of an alter, compare עָרַךְ 1 a Num 23:4 of altar.

army, armies, fight, order, place, …
maʿărākâ
an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array
  • row, rank, battle-line
    • battle-line
      • "rank"row

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וַתַּֽעֲרֹ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ Pashta — a lesser break וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים Zaqef Qatan — a strong break מַֽעֲרָכָ֖ה Tipeha — a lesser break לִקְרַ֥את מַֽעֲרָכָֽה Silluq — end of the verse

וַתַּֽעֲרֹךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּפְלִשְׁתִּים מַֽעֲרָכָה לִקְרַאת מַֽעֲרָכָֽה׃
21
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
1 Samuel 17:20
Read 1 Samuel 17
1 Samuel 17:22