CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 4:8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/4-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/09_1Sa_04_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 4:8 - The Philistines Capture the Ark" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/4-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/4-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/4-7.htm" title="1 Samuel 4:7">◄</a> 1 Samuel 4:8 <a href="/1_samuel/4-9.htm" title="1 Samuel 4:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/4.htm">New International Version</a> We&#8217re doomed! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Woe to us! Who will save us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Woe to us! Who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who smote the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Woe to us! Who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who smote the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Woe to us! Who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Woe to us! Who will rescue us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Woe to us! Who will rescue us from these magnificent gods? These are the gods that slaughtered the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Woe to us, who will rescue us from the hand of these magnificent gods? These are the gods that slaughtered the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 manner of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We're in big trouble! Who can save us from these powerful gods? They're the same gods who made all those horrible things happen to the Egyptians in the desert. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 manner of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> We're in trouble now! Who can save us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every kind of plague in the desert. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Who can save us from those powerful gods? They are the gods who slaughtered the Egyptians in the desert! <a href="/isv/1_samuel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> How terrible for us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the desert. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/net/1_samuel/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Too bad for us! Who can deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all sorts of plagues in the desert! <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Woe to us. Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Woe to 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. <a href="/web/1_samuel/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Woe to us! Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Woe to us, who delivers us out of the hand of these majestic gods? These [are] the gods who are striking the Egyptians with every plague in the wilderness. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Woe to us, who doth deliver us out of the hand of these honourable gods? these are the gods who are smiting the Egyptians with every plague in the wilderness. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Wo to us! who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? these those gods smiting Egypt with every blow in the desert.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Woe to us: for there was no such great joy yesterday and the day before: Woe to us. Who shall deliver us from the hand of these high gods? these are the gods that struck Egypt with all the plagues in the desert. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Woe to us! For there was no such great exultation yesterday, or the day before. Woe to us! Who will save us from the hand of these sublime gods? These are the gods who struck Egypt with all the plagues, in the desert.” <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with various plagues in the desert. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Woe to us! who shall deliver us from the hands of the mighty God? This is the God who smote the whole of Egypt with all sorts of plagues and performed wonders in the wilderness. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Woe to us! Who will save us from the hands of the mighty God? This is the God who struck all Egypt with every plague in the wilderness<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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 manner of plagues and in the wilderness. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Woe to us, O Lord, deliver us to-day for such a thing has not happened aforetime: woe to us, who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote Egypt with every plague, and in the wilderness. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1038" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">The Philistines Capture the Ark</a> …7the Philistines were afraid. “The gods have entered their camp!” they said. “Woe to us, for nothing like this has happened before. 8<a href="/hebrew/188.htm" title="188: ’ō·w (Interjection) -- Woe! Probably from 'avah; lamentation; also interjectionally Oh!">Woe</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">to us!</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: yaṣ·ṣî·lê·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms:: 1cp) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">will deliver us</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yaḏ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">from the hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">of these</a> <a href="/hebrew/117.htm" title="117: hā·’ad·dî·rîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Majestic. From 'adar; wide or large; figuratively, powerful.">mighty</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods?</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">These</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">are the gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: ham·mak·kîm (Art:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">who struck</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·ra·yim (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">the Egyptians</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">with all kinds</a> <a href="/hebrew/4347.htm" title="4347: mak·kāh (N-fs) -- A blow, wound, slaughter. Or makkeh; from nakah; a blow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence.">of plagues</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness.</a> 9Take courage and be men, O Philistines! Otherwise, you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. Now be men and fight!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/15-14.htm">Exodus 15:14-16</a> The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. / Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, / and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by. <a href="/joshua/2-9.htm">Joshua 2:9-11</a> and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you. / For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-15</a> And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. ... <a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm">1 Samuel 5:7-10</a> And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” / So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. / But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORD’s hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. ... <a href="/1_samuel/6-6.htm">1 Samuel 6:6</a> Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people out so they could go on their way? <a href="/2_kings/17-25.htm">2 Kings 17:25-26</a> Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Psalm 78:56-66</a> But they tested and disobeyed God Most High, for they did not keep His decrees. / They turned back and were faithless like their fathers, twisted like a faulty bow. / They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols. ... <a href="/isaiah/37-11.htm">Isaiah 37:11-13</a> Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? / Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’” <a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10</a> But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. <a href="/daniel/5-18.htm">Daniel 5:18-23</a> As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor. / Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished. / But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him. ... <a href="/matthew/8-29.htm">Matthew 8:29</a> “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?” <a href="/mark/5-7.htm">Mark 5:7</a> And he shouted in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God not to torture me!” <a href="/luke/8-28.htm">Luke 8:28</a> When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, shouting in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You not to torture me!” <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Acts 19:13-16</a> Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” / Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. / But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ... <a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18-21</a> The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Woe to 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.smote<a href="/exodus/7-5.htm">Exodus 7:5</a> And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.<a href="/exodus/9-14.htm">Exodus 9:14</a> For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.<a href="/psalms/78-43.htm">Psalm 78:43-51</a> How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/25-3.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/judges/20-28.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/judges/20-47.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/judges/10-11.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ruth/3-17.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/judges/5-13.htm">Honourable</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-14.htm">Kinds</a> <a href="/ruth/4-7.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-5.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-7.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/joshua/24-5.htm">Plague</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-22.htm">Plagues</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm">Power</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/judges/20-48.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-21.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-27.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-7.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/judges/20-47.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/judges/20-47.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-7.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-7.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/10-11.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-18.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-6.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-14.htm">Honourable</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-5.htm">Kinds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-1.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-4.htm">Plague</a> <a href="/job/16-3.htm">Plagues</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-14.htm">Power</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-13.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-14.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-28.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-29.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-18.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/psalms/120-5.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/job/10-15.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 4</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/4-1.htm">The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Ebenezer</a> 3. <a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">They fetch the ark unto the terror of the Philistines</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">They are smitten again, the ark taken, and Hophni and Phinehas are slain</a> 12. <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Eli at the news, falling backward, breaks his neck</a> 19. <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Phinehas's wife, discouraged in her travail with Ichabod, dies</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Woe to us! This expression of despair reflects the Philistines' fear and recognition of impending doom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such an exclamation indicates a deep sense of foreboding and helplessness. The Philistines, despite their military prowess, are acknowledging a power greater than their own, which is significant given their usual confidence in battle.Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? The Philistines refer to the God of Israel as "mighty gods," indicating their polytheistic worldview and misunderstanding of the monotheistic nature of Yahweh. This phrase highlights their fear of divine intervention, as they recognize the power of the God of Israel, albeit through a pagan lens. The "hand" symbolizes power and control, suggesting that they feel trapped and overpowered by a force they cannot comprehend or resist.These are the gods who struck the Egyptians This reference to the plagues in Egypt shows the lasting impact of the Exodus narrative on surrounding nations. The Philistines are aware of the historical events where God demonstrated His power over Egypt, the superpower of the time. This acknowledgment serves as a testament to the enduring reputation of God's might and the fear it instilled in Israel's enemies.with all kinds of plagues The mention of "all kinds of plagues" recalls the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt, as recorded in the book of Exodus. These plagues were a demonstration of God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods and a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The Philistines' awareness of these events underscores the widespread knowledge of God's past acts of judgment and deliverance.in the wilderness. The term "wilderness" refers to the period of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time marked by God's provision and guidance. This phrase may also reflect the Philistines' understanding of the Israelites' God as one who operates beyond the confines of settled lands, emphasizing His sovereignty over all creation. The wilderness period is a significant part of Israel's identity, symbolizing both trial and divine faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> A group of people who were enemies of Israel and often at war with them. In this passage, they express fear upon hearing about the Ark of the Covenant. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, who are in conflict with the Philistines. They have brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle, hoping for victory. 3. <a href="/topical/a/ark_of_the_covenant.htm">Ark of the Covenant</a> A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with Israel. Its presence in the camp of Israel caused fear among the Philistines. 4. <a href="/topical/e/egyptians.htm">Egyptians</a> Referred to in the Philistines' exclamation, they were the people who suffered plagues from God during the time of Moses, leading to the Exodus. 5. <a href="/topical/p/plagues_in_the_wilderness.htm">Plagues in the Wilderness</a> The Philistines recall the plagues God sent upon Egypt, demonstrating His power and judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_power.htm">Understanding God's Power</a> The Philistines recognized the power of God, even if they misunderstood Him as multiple gods. We should acknowledge God's supreme power in our lives. <a href="/topical/f/fear_of_the_lord.htm">Fear of the Lord</a> The fear expressed by the Philistines can remind us of the importance of having a reverent fear of God, recognizing His authority and might. <a href="/topical/m/misplaced_trust.htm">Misplaced Trust</a> The Israelites placed their trust in the Ark as a talisman rather than in God Himself. We must ensure our faith is in God, not in symbols or rituals. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite the Philistines' fear, God’s plans are sovereign. We should trust in His ultimate control over all situations. <a href="/topical/h/historical_awareness.htm">Historical Awareness</a> The Philistines' knowledge of past events (the plagues) shows the importance of understanding history to comprehend God's work. We should study biblical history to strengthen our faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 4</a> <a href="/q/what_evidence_supports_the_ten_plagues.htm">What evidence supports the occurrence of the Ten Plagues?</a> <a href="/q/exodus_8_2-4__why_no_evidence_of_frogs.htm">Exodus 8:2-4: How could millions of frogs suddenly appear everywhere without leaving clear historical or scientific evidence?</a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_god's_world_with_other_deities.htm">(Psalm 24:1) If the entire world belongs to the Lord, how do we reconcile this with the existence of other deities in different religious traditions?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_ecclesiastes.htm">What does it mean that God is my helper?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) These are the Gods that smote the Egyptians.--No doubt the compiler of these "Memoirs of Samuel" has given us the very words of the Philistines, preserved in their national traditions of this sad time. They are the expression of idolaters who knew of "Gods" and dreaded their malevolent influence, but who had no conception of the One Most High God. The plural form Elohim, so often found in the sacred record for God, is used here; but whereas the inspired compilers would have written their qualifying adjective in the singular, the Philistine idolaters write theirs in the plural--Elohim addirim: Mighty Gods.It is noticeable that the Philistine exclamation of awe and terror is based outwardly upon the Egyptian traditions of the acts of the Lord. They studiedly ignore what they were all in that camp painfully conscious of--His acts in their own land of Canaan. The Septuagint and Syriac Versions, and some commentators, add "and" before the words "in the wilderness," to make the Philistine exclamation more in harmony with history, seeing that the plagues were inflicted before the Israelites entered the wilderness; but the very vagueness of the exclamation of fear speaks for its truth. They were little concerned with exact historical accuracy, and were simply conscious of some terrible judgment having fallen on the foes of this Israel, a judgment they not unnaturally connected with the Ark of the Covenant just arrived in the enemy's camp: that Ark their ancestors remembered so often at the head of the armies of this Israel in their days of triumph.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - These mighty Gods. In Hebrew "Elohim, though plural, is used of the one true God, but in this sense has always the verb or adjective belonging to it in the singular. In ver. 7 the Philistines conform to this rule, and say, Elohim is come; but here the verb, pronoun, and adjective are all plural, i.e. they speak as heathen, to whom polytheism was natural (comp. <a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28</a>). With all the plagues. Rather, "with every plague," i.e. with every kind of plague. In the wilderness. God did not really smite the Egyptians in the wilderness. The plagues, including the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, had all happened before the Israelites had entered it. But probably the Philistines confused together the plagues of Egypt and the miracles in the wilderness, and even the conquest of Canaan, in one grand but vague whole, and so were ready to give way to despair, as they called to mind the traditions they had heard of these mighty interpositions of God for his people. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Woe א֣וֹי (’ō·w) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_188.htm">Strong's 188: </a> Lamentation, Oh! to us! לָ֔נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Who מִ֣י (mî) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix will deliver us יַצִּילֵ֔נוּ (yaṣ·ṣî·lê·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver from the hand מִיַּ֛ד (mî·yaḏ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand of these הָאֵ֑לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> These, those mighty הָאַדִּירִ֖ים (hā·’ad·dî·rîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_117.htm">Strong's 117: </a> Wide, large, powerful gods? הָאֱלֹהִ֥ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative These אֵ֧לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> These, those are the gods הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative who struck הַמַּכִּ֧ים (ham·mak·kîm) Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To strike the Egyptians מִצְרַ֛יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa with all kinds בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every of plagues מַכָּ֖ה (mak·kāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4347.htm">Strong's 4347: </a> A wound, carnage, pestilence in the wilderness. בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ (bam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 4:8 Woe to us! (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/4-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/4-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>