1 Samuel 4:6

Authorized King James Version

And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁמְע֤וּ
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
And when the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
ק֣וֹל
What meaneth the noise
a voice or sound
#5
הַתְּרוּעָ֧ה
of the shout
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
#6
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
מֶ֠ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#8
ק֣וֹל
What meaneth the noise
a voice or sound
#9
הַתְּרוּעָ֧ה
of the shout
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
#10
הַגְּדוֹלָ֛ה
of this great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#11
הַזֹּ֖את
this (often used adverb)
#12
הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
in the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#13
הָֽעִבְרִ֑ים
of the Hebrews
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
#14
וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ
And they understood
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#15
כִּ֚י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
אֲר֣וֹן
that the ark
a box
#17
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
בָּ֖א
was come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#19
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#20
הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
in the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Samuel.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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