1 Samuel

1 Samuel 4:11–18

11The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

12That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. 13When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God.

When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out.

14Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?”

So the man hurried over and reported to Eli. 15Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.

16“I have just come from the battle,” the man said to Eli. “I fled from there today.”

“What happened, my son?” Eli asked.

17The messenger answered, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”

18As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward from his chair by the city gate, and being old and heavy, he broke his neck and died. And Eli had judgedc Israel forty years.

Footnotes

  • c 4:18 Or governed or led

Read all of 1 Samuel 4

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

1 Samuel 4:11

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
The arkוַאֲר֥וֹןwa·’ă·rō·wnConjunctive waw; Noun - common singular constructH727 chest, ark
of Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîmNoun - masculine pluralH430 God
was capturedנִלְקָ֑חnil·qāḥVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH3947 take
and Eli’sעֵלִי֙‘ê·lîNoun - proper - masculine singularH5941 Eli
twoוּשְׁנֵ֤יū·šə·nêConjunctive waw; Number - masculine dual constructH8147 two
sonsבְנֵֽי־ḇə·nê-Noun - masculine plural constructH1121 son
Hophniחָפְנִ֖יḥā·p̄ə·nîNoun - proper - masculine singularH2652 Chophni
and Phinehasוּפִֽינְחָֽס׃ū·p̄î·nə·ḥāsConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH6372 Pinechas
diedמֵ֔תוּmê·ṯūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH4191 die

1 Samuel 4:12

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
That sameהַה֑וּאha·hūArticle; Pronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH3117 day
a Benjamiteבִּנְיָמִן֙bin·yā·minNoun - proper - masculine singularH1144 Binjamin
ranוַיָּ֤רָץway·yā·rāṣConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH7323 run
from the battle lineמֵהַמַּ֣עֲרָכָ֔הmê·ham·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāhPreposition-m, Article; Noun - feminine singularH4634 row, rank, battle-line
all the wayוַיָּבֹ֥אway·yā·ḇōConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
to Shilohשִׁלֹ֖הši·lōhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7887 Shiloh
with his clothesוּמַדָּ֣יוū·mad·dāwConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH4055 measure
tornקְרֻעִ֔יםqə·ru·‘îmVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine pluralH7167 tear
and dirtוַאֲדָמָ֖הwa·’ă·ḏā·māhConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singularH127 ground, land
onעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
his headרֹאשֽׁוֹ׃rō·šōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH7218 head

1 Samuel 4:13

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
When he arrivedוַיָּב֗וֹאway·yā·ḇō·wConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
thereוְהִנֵּ֣הwə·hin·nêhConjunctive waw; InterjectionH2009 lo! behold!
was Eliעֵ֠לִי‘ê·lîNoun - proper - masculine singularH5941 Eli
sittingיֹשֵׁ֨בyō·šêḇVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH3427 sit, remain, dwell
onעַֽל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
his chairהַכִּסֵּ֜אhak·kis·sêArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3678 seat
besideיַךְyaḵNoun - feminine singular constructH3197 a hand, side
the roadדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙de·reḵNoun - common singularH1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
watchingמְצַפֶּ֔הmə·ṣap·pehVerb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularH6822 look out or about, spy, keep watch
becauseכִּֽי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
his heartלִבּוֹ֙lib·bōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH3820 inner man, mind, will, heart
trembledחָרֵ֔דḥā·rêḏAdjective - masculine singularH2730 trembling
forעַ֖ל‘alPrepositionH5921 height
the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wnNoun - common singular constructH727 chest, ark
of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH430 God
When the manוְהָאִ֗ישׁwə·hā·’îšConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singularH376 man
enteredבָּ֚אbāVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
the cityבָּעִ֔ירbā·‘îrPreposition-b, Article; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
to give a reportלְהַגִּ֣ידlə·hag·gîḏPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructH5046 be conspicuous
the wholeכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
cityהָעִֽיר׃hā·‘îrArticle; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
cried outוַתִּזְעַ֖קwat·tiz·‘aqConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH2199 cry, cry out, call

1 Samuel 4:14

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Eliעֵלִי֙‘ê·lîNoun - proper - masculine singularH5941 Eli
heardוַיִּשְׁמַ֤עway·yiš·ma‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH8085 hear
the outcryק֣וֹלqō·wlNoun - masculine singular constructH6963 sound, voice
and askedוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Whyמֶ֛הmehInterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
thisהַזֶּ֑הhaz·zehArticle; Pronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that
commotionהֶהָמ֖וֹןhe·hā·mō·wnArticle; Noun - masculine singularH1995 sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance
So the manוְהָאִ֣ישׁwə·hā·’îšConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singularH376 man
hurried overמִהַ֔רmi·harVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4116 hasten
and reportedוַיַּגֵּ֥דway·yag·gêḏConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5046 be conspicuous
to Eliלְעֵלִֽי׃lə·‘ê·lîPreposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine singularH5941 Eli

1 Samuel 4:15

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Now Eliוְעֵלִ֕יwə·‘ê·lîConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH5941 Eli
was ninety-eightתִּשְׁעִ֥יםtiš·‘îmNumber - common pluralH8673 ninety
years oldבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
and his gazeוְעֵינָ֣יוwə·‘ê·nāwConjunctive waw; Noun - cdc; third person masculine singularH5869 eye
was fixedקָ֔מָהqā·māhVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularH6965 arise, stand up, stand
because he could notוְלֹ֥אwə·lōConjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
seeלִרְאֽוֹת׃lir·’ō·wṯPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH7200 see

1 Samuel 4:16

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Iאָֽנֹכִי֙’ā·nō·ḵîPronoun - first person common singularH595 I
have just comeהַבָּ֣אhab·bāArticle; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
fromמִן־min-PrepositionH4480 out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
the battleהַמַּעֲרָכָ֔הham·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4634 row, rank, battle-line
the manהָאִ֜ישׁhā·’îšArticle; Noun - masculine singularH376 man
saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
Eliעֵלִ֗י‘ê·lîNoun - proper - masculine singularH5941 Eli
Iוַאֲנִ֕יwa·’ă·nîConjunctive waw; Pronoun - first person common singularH589 I
fledנַ֣סְתִּיnas·tîVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularH5127 flee, escape
fromמִן־min-PrepositionH4480 out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
there todayהַמַּעֲרָכָ֖הham·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4634 row, rank, battle-line
Whatמֶֽה־meh-InterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
happenedהָיָ֥הhā·yāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
my sonבְּנִֽי׃bə·nîNoun - masculine singular construct; first person common singularH1121 son
Eli askedוַיֹּ֛אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say

1 Samuel 4:17

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
The messengerהַֽמְבַשֵּׂ֜רham·ḇaś·śêrArticle; Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularH1319 bear tidings
answeredוַיַּ֨עַןway·ya·‘anConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH6030 answer, respond
Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙yiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
has fledנָ֤סnāsVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5127 flee, escape
beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nêPreposition-l; Noun - common plural constructH6440 face, before
the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםp̄ə·liš·tîmNoun - proper - masculine pluralH6430 Philistine
andוְגַ֛םwə·ḡamConjunctionH1571 also, moreover, yea
there has beenהָיְתָ֣הhā·yə·ṯāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
a greatגְדוֹלָ֖הḡə·ḏō·w·lāhAdjective - feminine singularH1419 great
slaughterמַגֵּפָ֥הmag·gê·p̄āhNoun - feminine singularH4046 blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence
among the peopleבָעָ֑םḇā·‘āmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
Your twoשְׁנֵ֨יšə·nêNumber - masculine dual constructH8147 two
sonsבָנֶ֜יךָḇā·ne·ḵāNoun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine singularH1121 son
Hophniחָפְנִי֙ḥā·p̄ə·nîNoun - proper - masculine singularH2652 Chophni
and Phinehasוּפִ֣ינְחָ֔סū·p̄î·nə·ḥāsConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH6372 Pinechas
are both deadמֵ֗תוּmê·ṯūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH4191 die
and the arkוַאֲר֥וֹןwa·’ă·rō·wnConjunctive waw; Noun - common singular constructH727 chest, ark
of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH430 God
has been capturedנִלְקָֽחָה׃פnil·qā·ḥāhVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singularH3947 take

1 Samuel 4:18

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
As soon asוַיְהִ֞יway·hîConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
the arkאֲר֣וֹן’ă·rō·wnNoun - common singular constructH727 chest, ark
of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֗יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH430 God
was mentionedכְּהַזְכִּיר֣וֹ׀kə·haz·kî·rōwPreposition-k; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct; third person masculine singularH2142 remember
Eli fellוַיִּפֹּ֣לway·yip·pōlConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5307 fall, lie
backwardאֲחֹ֨רַנִּ֜ית’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯAdverbH322 backwards
fromמֵֽעַל־mê·‘al-Preposition-mH5921 height
his chairהַ֠כִּסֵּאhak·kis·sêArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3678 seat
byיַ֣דyaḏNoun - feminine singular constructH3027 hand
the city gateהַשַּׁ֗עַרhaš·ša·‘arArticle; Noun - masculine singularH8179 gate
and beingכִּֽי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
oldזָקֵ֥ןzā·qênVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH2204 be or become old
and heavyוְכָבֵ֑דwə·ḵā·ḇêḏConjunctive waw; Adjective - masculine singularH3515 heavy
he brokeוַתִּשָּׁבֵ֤רwat·tiš·šā·ḇêrConjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH7665 break, break in pieces
his neckמַפְרַקְתּוֹ֙map̄·raq·tōwNoun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH4665 neck
and diedוַיָּמֹ֔תway·yā·mōṯConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
Andוְה֛וּאwə·hūConjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
had judgedשָׁפַ֥טšā·p̄aṭVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH8199 judge, govern
Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
fortyאַרְבָּעִ֥ים’ar·bā·‘îmNumber - common pluralH705 forty
yearsשָׁנָֽה׃šā·nāhNoun - feminine singularH8141 year

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

1 Samuel 4:11 1 Samuel 2:34 · Psalm 78:64 · Isaiah 3:11 · 1 Samuel 2:32

1 Samuel 4:12 Joshua 7:6 · 2 Samuel 15:32 · Job 2:12 · 2 Samuel 1:2 · Nehemiah 9:1

1 Samuel 4:13 1 Samuel 1:9 · 1 Samuel 4:18

1 Samuel 4:15 1 Samuel 3:2

1 Samuel 4:16 2 Samuel 1:4

1 Samuel 4:18 1 Samuel 4:21–22 · 1 Peter 4:17–18 · Psalm 69:9

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.