1 Samuel 5:10

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֛וּ
H7971
Therefore they sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
אֲרוֹן֙
H727
And it came to pass as the ark
a box
#4
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
H430
of God
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
#5
עֶקְר֔וֹן
H6138
to Ekron
ekron, a place in palestine
#6
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
כְּב֨וֹא
H935
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
אֲרוֹן֙
H727
And it came to pass as the ark
a box
#9
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
H430
of God
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
#10
עֶקְר֔וֹן
H6138
to Ekron
ekron, a place in palestine
#11
וַיִּזְעֲק֨וּ
H2199
cried out
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
#12
הָֽעֶקְרֹנִ֜ים
H6139
that the Ekronites
an ekronite or inhabitant of ekron
#13
לֵאמֹ֗ר
H559
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#14
הֵסַ֤בּוּ
H5437
They have brought about
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#15
אֵלַי֙
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
אֲרוֹן֙
H727
And it came to pass as the ark
a box
#18
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
H430
of God
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
#19
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#20
לַֽהֲמִיתֵ֖נִי
H4191
to us to slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#21
וְאֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
עַמִּֽי׃
H5971
us and our people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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