1 Samuel 4:17
And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֨עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֨עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
הַֽמְבַשֵּׂ֜ר
And the messenger
H1319
הַֽמְבַשֵּׂ֜ר
And the messenger
Strong's:
H1319
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, to be fresh, i.e., full (rosy, figuratively cheerful); to announce (glad news)
נָ֤ס
is fled
H5127
נָ֤ס
is fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
4 of 21
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
7 of 21
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְגַ֛ם
H1571
וְגַ֛ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
גְדוֹלָ֖ה
and there hath been also a great
H1419
גְדוֹלָ֖ה
and there hath been also a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
10 of 21
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הָֽיְתָ֣ה
H1961
הָֽיְתָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָעָ֑ם
among the people
H5971
בָעָ֑ם
among the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בָנֶ֜יךָ
sons
H1121
בָנֶ֜יךָ
sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מֵ֗תוּ
are dead
H4191
מֵ֗תוּ
are dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
16 of 21
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Historical Context
The report's structure follows ancient conventions for delivering bad news in stages. Each element compounds the previous: military defeat, casualties, personal loss, and finally the theological crisis of the Ark's capture.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does the messenger structure his report in ascending order of severity?
- How does the narrative force readers to experience the cumulative weight of disaster?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The report comes in ascending severity: Israel fled before the Philistines (bad), great slaughter occurred (worse), both sons are dead (devastating), and the Ark is captured (unthinkable). Each element builds on the previous, climaxing with the Ark. The messenger knows what matters most to Eli and saves it for last. The structure forces Eli - and the reader - to absorb each level of disaster before confronting the ultimate catastrophe. The Ark of God is in enemy hands.