1 Samuel 28:13
And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
4 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּֽירְאִ֖י
unto her Be not afraid
H3372
תִּֽירְאִ֖י
unto her Be not afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
5 of 17
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָ֣ה
H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
רָאִ֖יתִי
I saw
H7200
רָאִ֖יתִי
I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
8 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
שָׁא֔וּל
unto Saul
H7586
שָׁא֔וּל
unto Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
12 of 17
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
רָאִ֖יתִי
I saw
H7200
רָאִ֖יתִי
I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עֹלִ֥ים
ascending
H5927
עֹלִ֥ים
ascending
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
15 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Historical Context
The term 'elohim' appears variously in Scripture referring to God, gods, angels, or supernatural beings generally. The woman's use of it here likely reflects Canaanite religious vocabulary rather than precise theological categories. Her perception was filtered through her pagan framework.
Questions for Reflection
- How does our worldview shape how we interpret supernatural experiences?
- What does the ambiguity of this account suggest about human perception of divine activity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Saul's question about what the woman sees and her response create one of the most mysterious scenes in Scripture. Her description of 'gods ascending out of the earth' (Hebrew: 'elohim olim min-ha'aretz') uses the plural 'elohim,' which can mean gods, divine beings, or God. This ambiguous language may reflect her pagan framework for understanding what she sees. The apparition arising from the earth locates the dead in Sheol, the subterranean realm of Hebrew cosmology.