1 Samuel 5:10
Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֛וּ
Therefore they sent
H7971
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֛וּ
Therefore they sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 22
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 22
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
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 22
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
וַיִּזְעֲק֨וּ
cried out
H2199
וַיִּזְעֲק֨וּ
cried out
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
11 of 22
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
הָֽעֶקְרֹנִ֜ים
that the Ekronites
H6139
הָֽעֶקְרֹנִ֜ים
that the Ekronites
Strong's:
H6139
Word #:
12 of 22
an ekronite or inhabitant of ekron
הֵסַ֤בּוּ
They have brought about
H5437
הֵסַ֤בּוּ
They have brought about
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
14 of 22
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 22
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
19 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לַֽהֲמִיתֵ֖נִי
to us to slay
H4191
לַֽהֲמִיתֵ֖נִי
to us to slay
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
20 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Historical Context
Ekron was the northernmost of the Philistine pentapolis, located closest to Israelite territory. The Ekronites' immediate alarm suggests news had spread of the Ark's devastating effects in other cities. Their outcry represents Philistine consensus forming against keeping the Ark.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Ekronites' immediate recognition of danger indicate about the Ark's reputation?
- How has Philistine understanding of Yahweh evolved through chapters 4-5?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Ark moves to Ekron, and the Ekronites immediately recognize the threat: 'They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.' Their cry shows learned experience - they know what happened to Ashdod and Gath. The phrase 'to slay us' attributes intentional, aggressive action to the God of the Ark. The Ekronites understand better than Israel's elders that this God acts according to His own purposes, not human manipulation.