1 Samuel 5:12
And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙
H376
וְהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 10
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)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מֵ֔תוּ
that died
H4191
מֵ֔תוּ
that died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
4 of 10
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הֻכּ֖וּ
not were smitten
H5221
הֻכּ֖וּ
not were smitten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 10
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
וַתַּ֛עַל
went up
H5927
וַתַּ֛עַל
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
7 of 10
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Exodus 12:30And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.Amos 5:19As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
Historical Context
The phrase 'cry went up to heaven' uses language typically applied to appeals for divine attention. Here it describes Philistine suffering reaching the heavens - not to their deaf idol but filling the sky with lamentation. The universal scope of affliction prepares for the Ark's return.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of Philistine cries reaching heaven complete the narrative?
- What has the Ark's captivity accomplished for God's purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The final verse captures universal suffering: 'the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.' The affliction is total - all are either dead or diseased. The 'cry...to heaven' echoes language used for Israel's suffering in Egypt (Exodus 2:23) and Sodom's sin (Genesis 18:21). Now pagans cry under God's heavy hand. The Ark that brought no salvation to faithless Israel brings destruction to presumptuous Philistia. Chapter 6 will show how they attempt to return it.