1 Samuel 5:8
They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלְח֡וּ
They sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלְח֡וּ
They sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַיַּֽאַסְפוּ֩
therefore and gathered
H622
וַיַּֽאַסְפוּ֩
therefore and gathered
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
2 of 24
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
6 of 24
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
מַֽה
H4100
מַֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
נַּעֲשֶׂ֗ה
What shall we do
H6213
נַּעֲשֶׂ֗ה
What shall we do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
of the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
of the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 24
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
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּסֵּ֕בּוּ
And they carried
H5437
וַיַּסֵּ֕בּוּ
And they carried
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
16 of 24
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
of the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
of the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 24
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
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
19 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּסֵּ֕בּוּ
And they carried
H5437
וַיַּסֵּ֕בּוּ
And they carried
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
20 of 24
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The Philistine pentapolis (five cities) was governed by lords (seranim) who functioned as a council. Their collective decision-making explains why the Ark visited multiple cities. Gath was another major Philistine city, located inland from Ashdod.
Questions for Reflection
- Why might the Philistines have thought moving the Ark would solve their problem?
- What does the collective decision-making of Philistine lords suggest about their political structure?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Philistine lords gather to decide the Ark's fate. Their question 'What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?' acknowledges inability to simply return or destroy it. The decision to move it to Gath suggests hope that local factors caused Ashdod's problems. The phrase 'they carried the ark...about' (Hebrew: sabab, to go around, transfer) pictures the Ark making a circuit of Philistine cities, bringing judgment to each. The Ark becomes an instrument of comprehensive Philistine affliction.