1 Samuel 4:14
And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֶ֛ה
H4100
מֶ֛ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הֶֽהָמ֖וֹן
of this tumult
H1995
הֶֽהָמ֖וֹן
of this tumult
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
9 of 15
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וְהָאִ֣ישׁ
And the man
H376
וְהָאִ֣ישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִהַ֔ר
in hastily
H4116
מִהַ֔ר
in hastily
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
Historical Context
News of military defeat would spread quickly in ancient communities. The city's communal cry reflected shared grief and alarm at disaster affecting the entire community, not just individual families who lost soldiers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the city's communal response reflect the communal nature of the disaster?
- What might Eli have feared as he heard the city crying out?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Eli hears the city's outcry and asks its meaning, showing his dependence on others due to blindness. The 'noise of the crying' indicates communal lamentation has begun before formal announcement. The messenger 'came in hastily' to bring news directly to the high priest. Eli, whose failure to act hastily against his sons brought this judgment, now must receive hasty news of that judgment's completion. The pace quickens as the narrative drives toward its climax.