1 Samuel 4:8
Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
3 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יַצִּילֵ֔נוּ
unto us! who shall deliver
H5337
יַצִּילֵ֔נוּ
unto us! who shall deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
4 of 17
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
מִיַּ֛ד
us out of the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֛ד
us out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים
Gods
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים
Gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 17
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
הָֽאַדִּירִ֖ים
of these mighty
H117
הָֽאַדִּירִ֖ים
of these mighty
Strong's:
H117
Word #:
7 of 17
wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים
Gods
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים
Gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 17
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
הַמַּכִּ֧ים
that smote
H5221
הַמַּכִּ֧ים
that smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
12 of 17
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
The Exodus tradition spread throughout the ancient Near East. Rahab knew it (Joshua 2:10), as did the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:9). This widespread reputation gave Israel both advantages (enemies' fear) and responsibilities (representing Yahweh among the nations).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Philistines' knowledge of Israel's history intensify the irony of their victory?
- What does it mean for Israel's enemies to become instruments of divine judgment on Israel?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Philistine memory of Egypt shows how widely Yahweh's reputation had spread. Their summary is confused (plagues 'in the wilderness' mixes locations) but reflects genuine terror. The rhetorical question 'who shall deliver us?' anticipates no answer - they expect defeat. Yet God has purposed their victory for His own reasons. The irony is thick: pagans invoke Israel's salvation history while Israel treats the God of that history as a portable good-luck charm. The Philistines are about to become instruments of divine judgment.