1 Samuel 12:8
When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
Original Language Analysis
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ
cried
H2199
וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ
cried
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
5 of 21
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙
and your fathers
H1
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙
and your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
יְהוָ֜ה
then the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
then the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
9 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָ֜ה
then the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
then the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶֽת
H853
וְאֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיּוֹצִ֤יאוּ
which brought forth
H3318
וַיּוֹצִ֤יאוּ
which brought forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
15 of 21
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙
and your fathers
H1
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙
and your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
17 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַיֹּֽשִׁב֖וּם
and made them dwell
H3427
וַיֹּֽשִׁב֖וּם
and made them dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Historical Context
The exodus was Israel's foundational salvation event, commemorated annually at Passover. Samuel's appeal to this history reminded his audience that their national existence depended entirely on divine intervention, not human military power or political organization.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the exodus pattern of crying out to God apply to current crises?
- Why do we sometimes seek human solutions before genuinely crying out to the LORD?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
Samuel begins Israel's history with Jacob's descent into Egypt and the exodus deliverance. The pattern of crisis ('your fathers cried unto the LORD'), divine response (God 'sent Moses and Aaron'), and deliverance ('brought forth your fathers out of Egypt') establishes the paradigm that will repeat throughout his review. This pattern demonstrates that God has always provided leadership in response to genuine need - making Israel's current demand for a king appear as failure to follow established means of seeking divine help.