King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 4:8 Mean?

1 Samuel 4:8 in the King James Version says “Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 4:8 · KJV


Context

6

And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

7

And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore . heretofore: Heb. yesterday, or, the third day

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.

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. quit: Heb. be men

10

And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Philistines' knowledge of Israel's history intensify the irony of their victory?
  2. What does it mean for Israel's enemies to become instruments of divine judgment on Israel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
א֣וֹי1 of 17

Woe

H188

lamentation; also interjectionally oh!

לָ֔נוּ2 of 17
H0
מִ֣י3 of 17
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יַצִּילֵ֔נוּ4 of 17

unto us! who shall deliver

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

מִיַּ֛ד5 of 17

us out of the hand

H3027

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

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים6 of 17

Gods

H430

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

הָֽאַדִּירִ֖ים7 of 17

of these mighty

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

הָאֵ֑לֶּה8 of 17
H428

these or those

אֵ֧לֶּה9 of 17
H428

these or those

הֵ֣ם10 of 17
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים11 of 17

Gods

H430

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

הַמַּכִּ֧ים12 of 17

that smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת13 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִצְרַ֛יִם14 of 17

the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּכָל15 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַכָּ֖ה16 of 17

with all the plagues

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃17 of 17

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 4:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 4:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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