1 Samuel 4:9
Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
Original Language Analysis
הִֽתְחַזְּק֞וּ
Be strong
H2388
הִֽתְחַזְּק֞וּ
Be strong
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
1 of 13
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וִֽהְיִיתֶ֥ם
and quit
H1961
וִֽהְיִיתֶ֥ם
and quit
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לַֽאֲנָשִׁים֙
H376
לַֽאֲנָשִׁים֙
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
O ye Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
O ye Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
4 of 13
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
פֶּ֚ן
H6435
פֶּ֚ן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
עָֽבְד֖וּ
as they have been
H5647
עָֽבְד֖וּ
as they have been
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
6 of 13
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
לָֽעִבְרִ֔ים
unto the Hebrews
H5680
לָֽעִבְרִ֔ים
unto the Hebrews
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
7 of 13
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָֽבְד֖וּ
as they have been
H5647
עָֽבְד֖וּ
as they have been
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
9 of 13
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וִֽהְיִיתֶ֥ם
and quit
H1961
וִֽהְיִיתֶ֥ם
and quit
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.Judges 13:1And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.2 Samuel 10:12Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.Isaiah 33:1Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.Judges 10:7And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.
Historical Context
Philistine military organization was sophisticated, with lords (seranim) commanding city-states. Their pre-battle exhortation follows ancient Near Eastern patterns of encouraging troops before engagement. The appeal to avoid servitude would resonate with fierce warriors.
Questions for Reflection
- How does human courage sometimes prevail against religious pretension?
- What does Philistine unity and resolve teach about facing formidable opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Philistine leaders rally their troops with appeals to courage and survival: 'Be strong, and quit yourselves like men.' The warning against becoming 'servants unto the Hebrews' reverses actual historical relationships - the Philistines were oppressors, not the oppressed. Yet their fear of role reversal motivates fierce resistance. Human resolve, even pagan resolve, can accomplish great things when spiritual pretension faces genuine courage. The Philistines' call to manly courage contrasts with Israel's reliance on religious objects.