1 Kings 20:27

And the children of Israel were numbered [lit; numbered themselves . Hith-pael], and were all present [Rather, and were provided with food, כוּל = to nourish. The Alex. LXX . inserts καὶ διοικήθησαν . Vulgate accepetis cibariis . Marg . were victualled . This word of itself suggests that they were at a distance from their capital or other city], and went against them [Heb. to meet them]: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks חֲשִׂיף strictly means separated. It is rightly translated " little flocks" (not "flocks," Rawlinson ), because the idea is that of two bands of stragglers separated from the main body of the flock. So the Vulgate, duo parvi greges caprarum ; but LXX ; δύο ποίμνια άγῶν . Ewald thinks the " two flocks" points to an an auxiliary fores furnished by Jehoshaphat, fighting with Israel. He also thinks goats are mentioned to convey the exalted position of the camp upon the hills. Flocks of goats as a rule are smaller than those of sheep, the former being more given to straying] of kids [lit; she-goats . "These flocks pasture mostly on the cliffs, and are smaller than the flocks of sheep" (Bähr)]; but the Syrians filled the country. [The whole plain swarmed with their legions in striking contrast to the two insignificant Bodies of Israelites.]