1 Samuelchapter 4
22 verses · BSB1 Samuel book hub →
Original Language
1 Samuel 4— Hebrew word study · with the Hebrew tradition
How to read a word below: the Hebrewword, then how it sounds, then what it means, then its number in Strong’s concordance, a widely used lookup this site follows (H for Hebrew and Aramaic, G for Greek). Square brackets hold a word the English supplies that the Hebrew does not, angle brackets mark the Hebrew’s own grammatical elements that English renders as separate words, and the mark ס or פ is where the Hebrew manuscripts end a paragraph.
The ark carried into battle and captured1
1 Samuel 4:1· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיְהִ֥יvayhiand it cameH1961דְבַר־devar-[the] word ofH1697שְׁמוּאֵ֖לshemuelSamuelH8050לְכָל־lekholto allH3605יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyisraelIsraelH3478וַיֵּצֵ֣אvaiyetze'and it went outH3318יִשְׂרָאֵל֩yisraelIsraelH3478לִקְרַ֨אתlikratto meetH7122פְּלִשְׁתִּ֜יםpelishtim[the] PhilistinesH6430לַמִּלְחָמָ֗הlamilchamahfor <the> battleH4421וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙vaiyachanuand they encampedH2583עַל־ʾal-atH5921הָאֶ֣בֶןhaeven<the> Eben-H72הָעֵ֔זֶרhaezer-ezerH72וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖יםufelishtimand [the] PhilistinesH6430חָנ֥וּchanuthey encampedH2583בַאֲפֵֽק׃vaafekat AphekH663
Rashi on I Samuel 4:1
The word of Shmuel went out to all of Yisroel. The word which was said to Shmuel, was fulfilled, and came to all Yisroel. How did this misfortune befall them? "Yisroel went out to war against the Philistines.
Read it in full at Sefaria · The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J
1 Samuel 4:2· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיַּעַרְכ֨וּvaiyaarkhuand they deployedH6186פְלִשְׁתִּ֜יםfelishtim[the] PhilistinesH6430לִקְרַ֣אתlikratto meetH7122יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לyisraelIsraelH3478וַתִּטֹּשׁ֙vatitoshand it spread outH5203הַמִּלְחָמָ֔הhamilchamahthe battleH4421וַיִּנָּ֥גֶףvaiyinagefand it was defeatedH5062יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyisraelIsraelH3478לִפְנֵ֣יlifnei<to> beforeH6440פְלִשְׁתִּ֑יםfelishtim[the] PhilistinesH6430וַיַּכּ֤וּvaiyakuand they struck downH5221בַמַּֽעֲרָכָה֙vamaarakhahin the battle lineH4634בַּשָּׂדֶ֔הbasadehin the fieldH7704כְּאַרְבַּ֥עַתkearbaatabout fourH702אֲלָפִ֖יםʾalafimthousand<s>H505אִֽישׁ׃ʾishmanH376
1 Samuel 4:3· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיָּבֹ֣אvaiyavo'and it cameH935הָעָם֮haamthe peopleH5971אֶל־ʾel-intoH413הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒hamachanehthe campH4264וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙vaiyomeruand they saidH559זִקְנֵ֣יziknei[the] elders ofH2205יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyisraelIsraelH3478לָ֣מָּהlamah<to> why?H4100נְגָפָ֧נוּnegafanuhas he defeated usH5062יְהוָ֛הyahwehYahwehH3068הַיּ֖וֹםhaiyomthis dayH3117לִפְנֵ֣יlifnei<to> beforeH6440פְלִשְׁתִּ֑יםfelishtim[the] PhilistinesH6430נִקְחָ֧הnikchahlet us bringH3947אֵלֵ֣ינוּʾeleinuto ourselvesH413מִשִּׁלֹ֗הmishilohfrom ShilohH7887אֶת־ʾet-<obj.>H853אֲרוֹן֙ʾaron[the] ark ofH727בְּרִ֣יתberit[the] covenant ofH1285יְהוָ֔הyahwehYahwehH3068וְיָבֹ֣אveyavo'so it may comeH935בְקִרְבֵּ֔נוּvekirbenuin midst ourH7130וְיֹשִׁעֵ֖נוּveyoshienuso it may deliver usH3467מִכַּ֥ףmikaffrom [the] hand ofH3709אֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃ʾoyeveinuenemies ourH341
1 Samuel 4:4· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤חvaiyishlachand it sentH7971הָעָם֙haamthe peopleH5971שִׁלֹ֔הshilohShilohH7887וַיִּשְׂא֣וּvaiyisuand they broughtH5375מִשָּׁ֗םmishamfrom thereH8033אֵ֣תʾet<obj.>H853אֲר֧וֹןʾaron[the] ark ofH727בְּרִית־berit-[the] covenant ofH1285יְהוָ֛הyahwehYahwehH3068צְבָא֖וֹתtzevaotof hostsH6635יֹשֵׁ֣בyoshev[who] sitsH3427הַכְּרֻבִ֑יםhakeruvimthe cherubimH3742וְשָׁ֞םveshamand [were] thereH8033שְׁנֵ֣יshenei[the] twoH8147בְנֵֽי־venei-[the] sons ofH1121עֵלִ֗יʾeliEliH5941עִם־ʾim-withH5973אֲרוֹן֙ʾaron[the] ark ofH727בְּרִ֣יתberit[the] covenant ofH1285הָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhaelohim<the> GodH430חָפְנִ֖יchafeniHophniH2652וּפִֽינְחָֽס׃ufinechasand PhinehasH6372
1 Samuel 4:5· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיְהִ֗יvayhiand it wasH1961כְּב֨וֹאkevo'when cameH935אֲר֤וֹןʾaron[the] ark ofH727בְּרִית־berit-[the] covenant ofH1285יְהוָה֙yahwehYahwehH3068אֶל־ʾel-intoH413הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הhamachanehthe campH4264וַיָּרִ֥עוּvaiyariuand they shoutedH7321כָל־khol-allH3605יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyisraelIsraelH3478תְּרוּעָ֣הteruaha shoutH8643גְדוֹלָ֑הgedolahgreatH1419וַתֵּהֹ֖םvatehomand it was stirredH1949הָאָֽרֶץ׃haaretzthe groundH776
1 Samuel 4:6· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיִּשְׁמְע֤וּvaiyishmeuand they heardH8085פְלִשְׁתִּים֙felishtim[the] PhilistinesH6430אֶת־ʾet-<obj.>H853ק֣וֹלkol[the] sound ofH6963הַתְּרוּעָ֔הhateruahthe shoutH8643וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּvaiyomeruand they saidH559מֶ֠הmehwhat?H4100ק֣וֹלkol[is] [the] sound ofH6963הַתְּרוּעָ֧הhateruahthe shoutH8643הַגְּדוֹלָ֛הhagedolah<the> greatH1419הַזֹּ֖אתhazot<the> thisH2063בְּמַחֲנֵ֣הbemachanehin [the] camp ofH4264הָעִבְרִ֑יםhaivrimthe HebrewsH5680וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּvaiyedeuand they knewH3045כִּ֚יkithatH3588אֲר֣וֹןʾaron[the] ark ofH727יְהוָ֔הyahwehYahwehH3068בָּ֖אba'it had comeH935אֶל־ʾel-intoH413הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃hamachanehthe campH4264
1 Samuel 4:7· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיִּֽרְאוּ֙vaiyiruand they were afraidH3372הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםhapelishtimthe PhilistinesH6430כִּ֣יkiforH3588אָמְר֔וּʾameruthey saidH559בָּ֥אba'he has comeH935אֱלֹהִ֖יםʾelohima godH430אֶל־ʾel-intoH413הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑הhamachanehthe campH4264וַיֹּאמְרוּ֙vaiyomeruand they saidH559א֣וֹיʾowoe!H188לָ֔נוּlanuto <the> usכִּ֣יkiforH3588לֹ֥אlo'notH3808הָיְתָ֛הhayetahit has beenH1961כָּזֹ֖אתkazotlike thisH2063אֶתְמ֥וֹלʾetmolyesterdayH865שִׁלְשֹֽׁם׃shilshomthree days agoH8032
1 Samuel 4:8· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
א֣וֹיʾowoe!H188לָ֔נוּlanuto <the> usמִ֣יmiwho?H4310יַצִּילֵ֔נוּyatzilenuwill he deliver usH5337מִיַּ֛דmiyadfrom [the] hand ofH3027הָאֱלֹהִ֥יםhaelohimthe godsH430הָאַדִּירִ֖יםhaadirim<the> mightyH117הָאֵ֑לֶּהhaeleh<the> theseH428אֵ֧לֶּהʾelehtheseH428הֵ֣םhemtheyH1992הָאֱלֹהִ֗יםhaelohim[are] the godsH430הַמַּכִּ֧יםhamakimwho struckH5221אֶת־ʾet-<obj.>H853מִצְרַ֛יִםmitzrayimEgyptH4714בְּכָל־bekholwith everyH3605מַכָּ֖הmakahplagueH4347בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃bamidbarin the wildernessH4057
1 Samuel 4:9· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
הִֽתְחַזְּק֞וּhitchazekushow yourselves strongH2388וִֽהְי֤וּvihyuand becomeH1961לַֽאֲנָשִׁים֙laanashim<into> menH582פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםpelishtimO PhilistinesH6430פֶּ֚ןpenlestH6435תַּעַבְד֣וּtaavduyou should serveH5647לָעִבְרִ֔יםlaivrim<to> the HebrewsH5680כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רkaasherjust asH834עָבְד֖וּʾaveduthey have servedH5647לָכֶ֑םlakhem<to> <the> youוִהְיִיתֶ֥םvihyitemand you will becomeH1961לַאֲנָשִׁ֖יםlaanashim<into> menH582וְנִלְחַמְתֶּֽם׃venilchamtemand you will fightH3898
1 Samuel 4:10· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיִּלָּחֲמ֣וּvaiyilachamuand they foughtH3898פְלִשְׁתִּ֗יםfelishtim[the] PhilistinesH6430וַיִּנָּ֤גֶףvaiyinagefand it was defeatedH5062יִשְׂרָאֵל֙yisraelIsraelH3478וַיָּנֻ֙סוּ֙vaiyanusuand they fledH5127אִ֣ישׁʾisheach manH376לְאֹהָלָ֔יוleohalavto own tents hisH168וַתְּהִ֥יvatehiand it wasH1961הַמַּכָּ֖הhamakahthe slaughterH4347גְּדוֹלָ֣הgedolahgreatH1419מְאֹ֑דmeodexceedinglyH3966וַיִּפֹּל֙vaiyipoland he fellH5307מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔לmiyisraelof IsraelH3478שְׁלֹשִׁ֥יםsheloshimthirtyH7970אֶ֖לֶףʾelefthousandH505רַגְלִֽי׃raglifoot soldier[s]H7273
Targum Jonathan on I Samuel 4:10
And the Philistines did wage war. And Israel was shattered, and they retreated, every man to his city.
Read it in full at Sefaria · The Targum of Samuel; trans. E. van Staalduine-Sulman. Leiden: Brill, 2002
1 Samuel 4:11· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
Eli falls backward at the gate12
1 Samuel 4:12· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיָּ֤רָץvaiyarotzand he ranH7323אִישׁ־ʾish-[the] man ofH376בִּנְיָמִן֙binyaminBenjaminH1144מֵהַמַּ֣עֲרָכָ֔הmehamaarakhahfrom the battle lineH4634וַיָּבֹ֥אvaiyavo'and he cameH935שִׁלֹ֖הshilohShilohH7887בַּיּ֣וֹםbaiyomon the dayH3117הַה֑וּאhahu'<the> thatH1931וּמַדָּ֣יוumadavand garments hisH4055קְרֻעִ֔יםkeruim[were] tornH7167וַאֲדָמָ֖הvaadamahand earthH127עַל־ʾal-[was] onH5921רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃roshohead hisH7218
Rashi on I Samuel 4:12
A Binyaminite man. This was Shaul, 5 Perhaps the reason for Scripture not revealing that it was Shaul, was to protect the honor of his kingship being that he was responsible in part for Eili’s death.—Da’as Sofrim who grabbed the Tablets from the hands of Golyas and fled.
Read it in full at Sefaria · The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J
1 Samuel 4:13· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיָּב֗וֹאvaiyavo'and he cameH935וְהִנֵּ֣הvehinehand there!H2009עֵ֠לִיʾeliEliH5941יֹשֵׁ֨בyoshev[was] sittingH3427עַֽל־ʾal-onH5921הַכִּסֵּ֜אhakise'the seatH3678יַ֥דyach[the] side ofH3027דֶּ֙רֶךְ֙derekh[the] roadH1870מְצַפֶּ֔הmetzapehwatchingH6822כִּֽי־ki-forH3588הָיָ֤הhayahit wasH1961לִבּוֹ֙liboheart hisH3820חָרֵ֔דcharedtremblingH2730עַ֖לʾalonH5921אֲר֣וֹןʾaron[the] ark ofH727הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhaelohim<the> GodH430וְהָאִ֗ישׁvehaishand the manH376בָּ֚אba'he cameH935לְהַגִּ֣ידlehagidto tellH5046בָּעִ֔ירbairin the cityH5892וַתִּזְעַ֖קvatizakand it cried outH2199כָּל־kol-allH3605הָעִֽיר׃hairthe cityH5892
Rashi on I Samuel 4:13
By the road looking out. By the side of the road, he was anxiously waiting. 6 He wanted to be situated in a place where a messenger would have to pass him first, and thus give him the news.
Read it in full at Sefaria · The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J
1 Samuel 4:14· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤עvaiyishma'and he heardH8085עֵלִי֙ʾeliEliH5941אֶת־ʾet-<obj.>H853ק֣וֹלkol[the] sound ofH6963הַצְּעָקָ֔הhatzeakahthe outcryH6818וַיֹּ֕אמֶרvaiyomerand he saidH559מֶ֛הmehwhat?H4100ק֥וֹלkol[is] [the] sound ofH6963הֶהָמ֖וֹןhehamonthe uproarH1995הַזֶּ֑הhazeh<the> thisH2088וְהָאִ֣ישׁvehaishand the manH376מִהַ֔רmiharhe hurriedH4116וַיָּבֹ֖אvaiyavo'and he cameH935וַיַּגֵּ֥דvaiyagedand he toldH5046לְעֵלִֽי׃leelito EliH5941
1 Samuel 4:15· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
1 Samuel 4:16· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרvaiyomerand he saidH559הָאִ֜ישׁhaishthe manH376אֶל־ʾel-toH413עֵלִ֗יʾeliEliH5941אָֽנֹכִי֙ʾanokhiIH595הַבָּ֣אhaba'[am] the [one who] comesH935מִן־min-fromH4480הַמַּעֲרָכָ֔הhamaarakhahthe battle lineH4634וַאֲנִ֕יvaaniand IH589מִן־min-fromH4480הַמַּעֲרָכָ֖הhamaarakhahthe battle lineH4634נַ֣סְתִּיnastiI have fledH5127הַיּ֑וֹםhaiyomthis dayH3117וַיֹּ֛אמֶרvaiyomerand he saidH559מֶֽה־meh-what?H4100הָיָ֥הhayahwas itH1961הַדָּבָ֖רhadavarthe wordH1697בְּנִֽי׃beniO son myH1121
1 Samuel 4:17· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיַּ֨עַןvaiyaanand he answeredH6030הַֽמְבַשֵּׂ֜רhamvaserthe bearer of newsH1319וַיֹּ֗אמֶרvaiyomerand he saidH559נָ֤סnasit has fledH5127יִשְׂרָאֵל֙yisraelIsraelH3478לִפְנֵ֣יlifnei<to> beforeH6440פְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםfelishtim[the] PhilistinesH6430וְגַ֛םvegamand alsoH1571מַגֵּפָ֥הmagefaha slaughterH4046גְדוֹלָ֖הgedolahgreatH1419הָיְתָ֣הhayetahit has beenH1961בָעָ֑םvaamamong the peopleH5971וְגַם־vegam-and alsoH1571שְׁנֵ֨יshenei[the] twoH8147בָנֶ֜יךָvaneikhasons yourH1121מֵ֗תוּmetuthey have diedH4191חָפְנִי֙chafeniHophniH2652וּפִ֣ינְחָ֔סufinchasand PhinehasH6372וַאֲר֥וֹןvaaronand [the] ark ofH727הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhaelohim<the> GodH430נִלְקָֽחָה׃ פnilkachahit has been takenH3947
1 Samuel 4:18· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַיְהִ֞יvayhiand it wasH1961כְּהַזְכִּיר֣וֹ׀kehazkirowhen brought to remembrance heH2142אֶת־ʾet-<obj.>H853אֲר֣וֹןʾaron[the] ark ofH727הָאֱלֹהִ֗יםhaelohim<the> GodH430וַיִּפֹּ֣לvaiyipoland he fellH5307מֵֽעַל־meal-from onH5921הַ֠כִּסֵּאhakise'the seatH3678אֲחֹ֨רַנִּ֜יתʾachoranitbackwardsH322בְּעַ֣ד׀beadbehindH1157יַ֣דyad[the] side ofH3027הַשַּׁ֗עַרhashaarthe gateH8179וַתִּשָּׁבֵ֤רvatishaverand it was brokenH7665מַפְרַקְתּוֹ֙mafraktoneck hisH4665וַיָּמֹ֔תvaiyamotand he diedH4191כִּֽי־ki-forH3588זָקֵ֥ןzakenhe was oldH2204הָאִ֖ישׁhaishthe manH376וְכָבֵ֑דvekhavedand heavyH3515וְה֛וּאvehu'and heH1931שָׁפַ֥טshafathe had judgedH8199אֶת־ʾet-<obj.>H853יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyisraelIsraelH3478אַרְבָּעִ֥יםʾarbaimfortyH705שָׁנָֽה׃shanahyear[s]H8141
Ichabod: the glory is departed from Israel19
1 Samuel 4:19· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וְכַלָּת֣וֹvekhalatoand daughter-in-law hisH3618אֵֽשֶׁת־ʾeshet-[the] wife ofH802פִּינְחָס֮pinechasPhinehasH6372הָרָ֣הharah[was] pregnantH2030לָלַת֒lalatto give birthH3205וַתִּשְׁמַ֣עvatishma'and she heardH8085אֶת־ʾet-<obj.>H853הַשְּׁמֻעָ֔הhashemuahthe reportH8052אֶל־ʾel-concerningH413הִלָּקַח֙hilakach[the] being taken ofH3947אֲר֣וֹןʾaron[the] ark ofH727הָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhaelohim<the> GodH430וּמֵ֥תumetand he had diedH4191חָמִ֖יהָchamihafather-in-law herH2524וְאִישָׁ֑הּveishahand husband herH376וַתִּכְרַ֣עvatikhra'and she bowed downH3766וַתֵּ֔לֶדvateledand she gave birthH3205כִּֽי־ki-forH3588נֶהֶפְכ֥וּnehefkhuthey turnedH2015עָלֶ֖יהָʾaleihaon herH5921צִרֶֽיהָ׃tzireihapangs herH6735
1 Samuel 4:20· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וּכְעֵ֣תukheetand about [the] time ofH6256מוּתָ֗הּmutahdying sheH4191וַתְּדַבֵּ֙רְנָה֙vatedaberenahand they spokeH1696הַנִּצָּב֣וֹתhanitzavotthose [who] were standingH5324עָלֶ֔יהָʾaleihaover herH5921אַל־ʾal-may notH408תִּֽירְאִ֖יtiriyou be afraidH3372כִּ֣יkiforH3588בֵ֣ןvena sonH1121יָלָ֑דְתְּyaladetyou have borneH3205וְלֹ֥אvelo'and notH3808עָנְתָ֖הʾanetahshe answeredH6030וְלֹא־velo'-and notH3808שָׁ֥תָהshatahshe setH7896לִבָּֽהּ׃libahheart herH3820
1 Samuel 4:21· Hebrew and glosses: STEP Bible
וַתִּקְרָ֣אvatikra'and she calledH7121לַנַּ֗עַרlanaar<to> the ladH5288אִֽי־ʾi-I-H350כָבוֹד֙khavod-chabodH350לֵאמֹ֔רlemor<to> sayingH559גָּלָ֥הgalahit has gone into exileH1540כָב֖וֹדkhavodgloryH3519מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑לmiyisraelfrom IsraelH3478אֶל־ʾel-because ofH413הִלָּקַח֙hilakach[the] being taken ofH3947אֲר֣וֹןʾaron[the] ark ofH727הָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhaelohim<the> GodH430וְאֶל־veel-and because ofH413חָמִ֖יהָchamihafather-in-law herH2524וְאִישָֽׁהּ׃veishahand husband herH376