1 Samuel 5:11
So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
Original Language Analysis
שַׁלְּח֞וּ
Send away
H7971
שַׁלְּח֞וּ
Send away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 30
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַיַּֽאַסְפ֜וּ
and gathered together
H622
וַיַּֽאַסְפ֜וּ
and gathered together
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
2 of 30
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 30
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 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
6 of 30
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
שַׁלְּח֞וּ
Send away
H7971
שַׁלְּח֞וּ
Send away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 30
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 30
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
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 30
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְיָשֹׁ֣ב
and let it go again
H7725
וְיָשֹׁ֣ב
and let it go again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
13 of 30
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לִמְקוֹמ֔וֹ
to his own place
H4725
לִמְקוֹמ֔וֹ
to his own place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
14 of 30
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 30
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמִ֥ית
that it slay
H4191
יָמִ֥ית
that it slay
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
16 of 30
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֹתִ֖י
H853
אֹתִ֖י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֑י
us not and our people
H5971
עַמִּ֑י
us not and our people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
19 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָיְתָ֤ה
H1961
הָיְתָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
21 of 30
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מָ֙וֶת֙
for there was a deadly
H4194
מָ֙וֶת֙
for there was a deadly
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
23 of 30
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעִ֔יר
throughout all the city
H5892
הָעִ֔יר
throughout all the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
25 of 30
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
כָּֽבְדָ֥ה
heavy
H3513
כָּֽבְדָ֥ה
heavy
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
26 of 30
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
מְאֹ֛ד
was very
H3966
מְאֹ֛ד
was very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
27 of 30
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
יַ֥ד
the hand
H3027
יַ֥ד
the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
28 of 30
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
Historical Context
The phrase 'his own place' acknowledges the Ark belongs in Israel, not Philistia. Philistine religion would understand territorial gods; their conclusion that this God operates most powerfully in His own land reflects their theological framework.
Questions for Reflection
- What theological admission do the Philistines make by sending the Ark back?
- How does Philistine fear contrast with Israel's presumption in chapter 4?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Philistine lords reconvene, now united in determination: 'Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place.' The Ark must return to prevent total destruction. The phrase 'that it slay us not' again attributes lethal intent to the Ark's God. The description 'deadly destruction throughout all the city' and 'the hand of God was very heavy there' summarizes comprehensive judgment. The Philistines have learned what Israel forgot: Yahweh cannot be controlled or manipulated.