1 Samuel 4:18
And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֞י
H1961
וַיְהִ֞י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּהַזְכִּיר֣וֹ׀
And it came to pass when he made mention
H2142
כְּהַזְכִּיר֣וֹ׀
And it came to pass when he made mention
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 25
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
וַיִּפֹּ֣ל
that he fell
H5307
וַיִּפֹּ֣ל
that he fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 25
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מֵֽעַל
H5921
מֵֽעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַ֠כִּסֵּא
from off the seat
H3678
הַ֠כִּסֵּא
from off the seat
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
בְּעַ֣ד׀
by
H1157
בְּעַ֣ד׀
by
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
10 of 25
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
יַ֣ד
the side
H3027
יַ֣ד
the side
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 25
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מַפְרַקְתּוֹ֙
and his neck
H4665
מַפְרַקְתּוֹ֙
and his neck
Strong's:
H4665
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, a fracture, i.e., joint (vertebrae) of the neck
וַיָּמֹ֔ת
and he died
H4191
וַיָּמֹ֔ת
and he died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
15 of 25
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָאִ֖ישׁ
man
H376
הָאִ֖ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
18 of 25
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)
וְכָבֵ֑ד
H3515
וְכָבֵ֑ד
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
19 of 25
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
וְה֛וּא
H1931
וְה֛וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
20 of 25
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
שָׁפַ֥ט
And he had judged
H8199
שָׁפַ֥ט
And he had judged
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
21 of 25
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Eli's death by falling backward fulfills the judgment pattern while suggesting his instinctive reaction to devastating news. The forty-year judgeship places him among the major judges in terms of tenure, despite his compromised record.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Eli's reaction to the Ark's capture versus his sons' deaths reveal about his priorities?
- How should we assess Eli's overall ministry given both his failures and his final response?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Eli's death comes specifically at 'mention of the ark of God' - not at news of his sons' deaths but at the Ark's capture. This reaction reveals what mattered most to him. He falls backward, breaks his neck, and dies. The descriptors - old, heavy, forty-year judge - seem almost obituary-like. The phrase 'he had judged Israel forty years' provides formal closure to his ministry. Whatever his failures, Eli's final moments show his heart was oriented toward God's honor, not merely personal loss.