1 Samuel 4:19
And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
Original Language Analysis
וְכַלָּת֣וֹ
And his daughter in law
H3618
וְכַלָּת֣וֹ
And his daughter in law
Strong's:
H3618
Word #:
1 of 21
a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife
וַתֵּ֔לֶד
herself and travailed
H3205
וַתֵּ֔לֶד
herself and travailed
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
5 of 21
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
וַתִּשְׁמַ֣ע
and when she heard
H8085
וַתִּשְׁמַ֣ע
and when she heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
6 of 21
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הִלָּקַח֙
was taken
H3947
הִלָּקַח֙
was taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 21
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 21
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
וּמֵ֥ת
were dead
H4191
וּמֵ֥ת
were dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
13 of 21
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
חָמִ֖יהָ
and that her father in law
H2524
חָמִ֖יהָ
and that her father in law
Strong's:
H2524
Word #:
14 of 21
a father-in-law (as in affinity)
וְאִישָׁ֑הּ
and her husband
H376
וְאִישָׁ֑הּ
and her husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 21
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)
וַתִּכְרַ֣ע
she bowed
H3766
וַתִּכְרַ֣ע
she bowed
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
16 of 21
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
וַתֵּ֔לֶד
herself and travailed
H3205
וַתֵּ֔לֶד
herself and travailed
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
17 of 21
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נֶהֶפְכ֥וּ
came
H2015
נֶהֶפְכ֥וּ
came
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
19 of 21
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
Historical Context
The connection between severe emotional trauma and premature or complicated labor was recognized in ancient cultures. The wife of Phinehas represents the broader community's suffering, experiencing personal, family, and national tragedy simultaneously.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this woman's experience embody the comprehensive nature of the disaster?
- What role do women play as spiritual interpreters throughout 1 Samuel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Phinehas's wife, pregnant and near delivery, receives the triple news: Ark captured, father-in-law dead, husband dead. The shock induces labor; her 'pains came upon her.' The phrase 'she bowed herself' suggests collapse, indicating the birth occurs amid crisis rather than normal conditions. This unnamed woman becomes a prophetic voice, naming her son in a way that interprets the disaster theologically. Women in 1 Samuel often function as spiritual discerners (Hannah, this woman, the medium of Endor).