1 Samuel

1 Samuel 4:4–11

⁴So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

⁵When the ark of the covenant of the LORD entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a great shout that the ground shook.

⁶On hearing the noise of the shout, the Philistines asked, “What is this loud shouting in the camp of the Hebrews?”

And when they realized that the ark of the LORD had entered the camp, ⁷the Philistines were afraid. “The gods have entered^b their camp!” they said. “Woe to us, for nothing like this has happened before. ⁸Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. ⁹Take courage and be men, O Philistines! Otherwise, you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. Now be men and fight!”

¹⁰So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great — thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. ¹¹The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Footnotes

b 4:7 Or A god has entered

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 4:4

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So the people	הָעָם֙	hā·‘ām	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5971 people
sent	וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח	way·yiš·laḥ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7971 send
to Shiloh	שִׁלֹ֔ה	ši·lōh	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H7887 Shiloh
and they brought	וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ	way·yiś·’ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H5375 lift, take, carry
back	מִשָּׁ֗ם	miš·šām	Preposition-m; Adverb	H8033 there, thither
the ark	אֲר֧וֹן	’ă·rō·wn	Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of the covenant	בְּרִית־	bə·rîṯ-	Noun - feminine singular construct	H1285 covenant
of the LORD	יְהוָ֛ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
of Hosts	צְבָא֖וֹת	ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ	Noun - common plural	H6635 army, war, warfare
who sits enthroned	יֹשֵׁ֣ב	yō·šêḇ	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular	H3427 sit, remain, dwell
between the cherubim	הַכְּרֻבִ֑ים	hak·kə·ru·ḇîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H3742 cherub
And the two	שְׁנֵ֣י	šə·nê	Number - masculine dual construct	H8147 two
sons	בְנֵֽי־	ḇə·nê-	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
of Eli	עֵלִ֗י	‘ê·lî	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H5941 Eli
Hophni	חָפְנִ֖י	ḥā·p̄ə·nî	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H2652 Chophni
and Phinehas	וּפִֽינְחָֽס׃	ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6372 Pinechas
were there	וְשָׁ֞ם	wə·šām	Conjunctive waw; Adverb	H8033 there, thither
with	עִם־	‘im-	Preposition	H5973 with
the ark	אֲרוֹן֙	’ă·rō·wn	Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of the covenant	בְּרִ֣ית	bə·rîṯ	Noun - feminine singular construct	H1285 covenant
of God	הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים	hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H430 God

1 Samuel 4:5

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
When	וַיְהִ֗י	way·hî	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
the ark	אֲר֤וֹן	’ă·rō·wn	Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of the covenant	בְּרִית־	bə·rîṯ-	Noun - feminine singular construct	H1285 covenant
of the LORD	יְהוָה֙	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
entered	כְּב֨וֹא	kə·ḇō·w	Preposition-k; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H935 come in, come, go in, go
the camp	הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה	ham·ma·ḥă·neh	Article; Noun - common singular	H4264 encampment, camp
all	כָל־	ḵāl	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
the Israelites	יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
raised	גְדוֹלָ֑ה	ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh	Adjective - feminine singular	H1419 great
such a great	תְּרוּעָ֣ה	tə·rū·‘āh	Noun - feminine singular	H8643 shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
shout	וַיָּרִ֥עוּ	way·yā·ri·‘ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H7321 raise a shout
that the ground	הָאָֽרֶץ׃	hā·’ā·reṣ	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H776 earth, land
shook	וַתֵּהֹ֖ם	wat·tê·hōm	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular	H1949 murmur, roar, discomfit

1 Samuel 4:6

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
On hearing	וַיִּשְׁמְע֤וּ	way·yiš·mə·‘ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H8085 hear
the noise	ק֣וֹל	qō·wl	Noun - masculine singular construct	H6963 sound, voice
of the shout	הַתְּרוּעָ֔ה	hat·tə·rū·‘āh	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H8643 shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
the Philistines	פְלִשְׁתִּים֙	p̄ə·liš·tîm	Noun - proper - masculine plural	H6430 Philistine
asked	וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ	way·yō·mə·rū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H559 utter, say
What is	מֶ֠ה	meh	Interrogative	H4100 what? how? aught
this	הַזֹּ֖את	haz·zōṯ	Article; Pronoun - feminine singular	H2063 this
loud	הַגְּדוֹלָ֛ה	hag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh	Article; Adjective - feminine singular	H1419 great
shouting	הַתְּרוּעָ֧ה	hat·tə·rū·‘āh	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H8643 shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
in the camp	בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה	bə·ma·ḥă·nêh	Preposition-b; Noun - common singular construct	H4264 encampment, camp
of the Hebrews	הָעִבְרִ֑ים	hā·‘iḇ·rîm	Article; Noun - proper - masculine plural	H5680 Hebrew
And when they realized	וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ	way·yê·ḏə·‘ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H3045 know
that	כִּ֚י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
the ark	אֲר֣וֹן	’ă·rō·wn	Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of the LORD	יְהוָ֔ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
had entered	בָּ֖א	bā	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H935 come in, come, go in, go
the camp	הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃	ham·ma·ḥă·neh	Article; Noun - common singular	H4264 encampment, camp

1 Samuel 4:7

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
the Philistines	הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים	hap·pə·liš·tîm	Article; Noun - proper - masculine plural	H6430 Philistine
were afraid	וַיִּֽרְאוּ֙	way·yir·’ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H3372 fear
The gods	אֱלֹהִ֖ים	’ĕ·lō·hîm	Noun - masculine plural	H430 God
have entered	בָּ֥א	bā	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H935 come in, come, go in, go
their camp	הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה	ham·ma·ḥă·neh	Article; Noun - common singular	H4264 encampment, camp
they said	אָמְר֔וּ	’ā·mə·rū	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural	H559 utter, say
Woe	א֣וֹי	’ō·w	Interjection	H188 woe!
to us	לָ֔נוּ	lā·nū	Preposition; first person common plural
for	כִּ֣י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
nothing	לֹ֥א	lō	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
like this	כָּזֹ֖את	kā·zōṯ	Preposition-k; Pronoun - feminine singular	H2063 this
has happened	הָיְתָ֛ה	hā·yə·ṯāh	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
before	אֶתְמ֥וֹל	’eṯ·mō·wl	Adverb	H865 heretofore, yesterday

1 Samuel 4:8

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Woe	א֣וֹי	’ō·w	Interjection	H188 woe!
to us	לָ֔נוּ	lā·nū	Preposition; first person common plural
Who	מִ֣י	mî	Interrogative	H4310 who?
will deliver us	יַצִּילֵ֔נוּ	yaṣ·ṣî·lê·nū	Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular; first person common plural	H5337 strip, plunder
from the hand	מִיַּ֛ד	mî·yaḏ	Preposition-m; Noun - feminine singular construct	H3027 hand
of these	הָאֵ֑לֶּה	hā·’êl·leh	Article; Pronoun - common plural	H428 these
mighty	הָאַדִּירִ֖ים	hā·’ad·dî·rîm	Article; Adjective - masculine plural	H117 majestic
gods	הָאֱלֹהִ֥ים	hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H430 God
These	אֵ֧לֶּה	’êl·leh	Pronoun - common plural	H428 these
are the gods	הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים	hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H430 God
who struck	הַמַּכִּ֧ים	ham·mak·kîm	Article; Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural	H5221 smite
the Egyptians	מִצְרַ֛יִם	miṣ·ra·yim	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H4714 Egypt, Egyptians
with all kinds	בְּכָל־	bə·ḵāl	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
of plagues	מַכָּ֖ה	mak·kāh	Noun - feminine singular	H4347 blow, wound, slaughter
in the wilderness	בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃	bam·miḏ·bār	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4057 mouth

1 Samuel 4:9

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Take courage	הִֽתְחַזְּק֞וּ	hiṯ·ḥaz·zə·qū	Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine plural	H2388 be or grow firm, strong, strengthen
and be	וִֽהְי֤וּ	wih·yū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
men	לַֽאֲנָשִׁים֙	la·’ă·nā·šîm	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine plural	H582 man, mankind
O Philistines	פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים	pə·liš·tîm	Noun - proper - masculine plural	H6430 Philistine
Otherwise	פֶּ֚ן	pen	Conjunction	H6435 lest
you will serve	תַּעַבְד֣וּ	ta·‘aḇ·ḏū	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural	H5647 work, serve
the Hebrews	לָעִבְרִ֔ים	lā·‘iḇ·rîm	Preposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine plural	H5680 Hebrew
just as	כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר	ka·’ă·šer	Preposition-k; Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
they served	עָבְד֖וּ	‘ā·ḇə·ḏū	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural	H5647 work, serve
you	לָכֶ֑ם	lā·ḵem	Preposition; second person masculine plural
Now be	וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם	wih·yî·ṯem	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
men	לַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים	la·’ă·nā·šîm	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine plural	H582 man, mankind
and fight	וְנִלְחַמְתֶּֽם׃	wə·nil·ḥam·tem	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural	H3898 fight, do battle

1 Samuel 4:10

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So the Philistines	פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים	p̄ə·liš·tîm	Noun - proper - masculine plural	H6430 Philistine
fought	וַיִּלָּחֲמ֣וּ	way·yil·lā·ḥă·mū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H3898 fight, do battle
and Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵל֙	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
was defeated	וַיִּנָּ֤גֶף	way·yin·nā·ḡep̄	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5062 strike, smite
and each man	אִ֣ישׁ	’îš	Noun - masculine singular	H376 man
fled	וַיָּנֻ֙סוּ֙	way·yā·nu·sū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H5127 flee, escape
to his tent	לְאֹהָלָ֔יו	lə·’ō·hā·lāw	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singular	H168 tent
The slaughter	הַמַּכָּ֖ה	ham·mak·kāh	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H4347 blow, wound, slaughter
was	וַתְּהִ֥י	wat·tə·hî	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
very	מְאֹ֑ד	mə·’ōḏ	Adverb	H3966 muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
great	גְּדוֹלָ֣ה	gə·ḏō·w·lāh	Adjective - feminine singular	H1419 great
thirty	שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים	šə·lō·šîm	Number - common plural	H7970 thirty
thousand	אֶ֖לֶף	’e·lep̄	Number - masculine singular	H505 thousand
foot soldiers	רַגְלִֽי׃	raḡ·lî	Adjective - masculine singular	H7273 on foot
of Israel	מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל	mî·yiś·rā·’êl	Preposition-m; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
fell	וַיִּפֹּל֙	way·yip·pōl	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5307 fall, lie

1 Samuel 4:11

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
The ark	וַאֲר֥וֹן	wa·’ă·rō·wn	Conjunctive waw; Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of God	אֱלֹהִ֖ים	’ĕ·lō·hîm	Noun - masculine plural	H430 God
was captured	נִלְקָ֑ח	nil·qāḥ	Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H3947 take
and Eli’s	עֵלִי֙	‘ê·lî	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H5941 Eli
two	וּשְׁנֵ֤י	ū·šə·nê	Conjunctive waw; Number - masculine dual construct	H8147 two
sons	בְנֵֽי־	ḇə·nê-	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
Hophni	חָפְנִ֖י	ḥā·p̄ə·nî	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H2652 Chophni
and Phinehas	וּפִֽינְחָֽס׃	ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6372 Pinechas
died	מֵ֔תוּ	mê·ṯū	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural	H4191 die