1 Samuel 4:5
And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּרִית
of the covenant
H1285
בְּרִית
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
4 of 14
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
into the camp
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
into the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
7 of 14
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וַיָּרִ֥עוּ
shouted
H7321
וַיָּרִ֥עוּ
shouted
Strong's:
H7321
Word #:
8 of 14
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
תְּרוּעָ֣ה
shout
H8643
תְּרוּעָ֣ה
shout
Strong's:
H8643
Word #:
11 of 14
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
with a great
H1419
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
with a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
12 of 14
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Historical Context
The war cry (teru'ah) appears in contexts of worship and battle throughout the Old Testament. Its intensity here ('the earth rang again') demonstrates the height of Israel's confidence, making the subsequent defeat even more catastrophic.
Questions for Reflection
- How does religious enthusiasm without spiritual reality lead to disappointment?
- What is the difference between genuine faith and presumptuous confidence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Israel's response to the Ark's arrival - shouting so the 'earth rang again' - reflects confident expectation of victory. The Hebrew shout (teru'ah) typically accompanies military action and worship. Their enthusiasm is genuine but misplaced. They trust the Ark's presence without examining their hearts or the condition of their leadership. The shout echoes earlier victory celebrations (Joshua 6:5, 20) but will be followed not by enemy walls falling but by Israelite soldiers falling. False confidence born of religious presumption leads to devastating disappointment.