King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 5:10 Mean?

1 Samuel 5:10 in the King James Version says “Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cr... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. us, to: Heb. me to slay me and my

1 Samuel 5:10 · KJV


Context

8

They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.

9

And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.

10

Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. us, to: Heb. me to slay me and my

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. us not: Heb. me not, and my

12

And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods : and the cry of the city went up to heaven.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Ark moves to Ekron, and the Ekronites immediately recognize the threat: 'They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.' Their cry shows learned experience - they know what happened to Ashdod and Gath. The phrase 'to slay us' attributes intentional, aggressive action to the God of the Ark. The Ekronites understand better than Israel's elders that this God acts according to His own purposes, not human manipulation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ekron was the northernmost of the Philistine pentapolis, located closest to Israelite territory. The Ekronites' immediate alarm suggests news had spread of the Ark's devastating effects in other cities. Their outcry represents Philistine consensus forming against keeping the Ark.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Ekronites' immediate recognition of danger indicate about the Ark's reputation?
  2. How has Philistine understanding of Yahweh evolved through chapters 4-5?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֛וּ1 of 22

Therefore they sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 22
H853

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

אֲרוֹן֙3 of 22

And it came to pass as the ark

H727

a box

אֱלֹהֵ֣י4 of 22

of God

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

עֶקְר֔וֹן5 of 22

to Ekron

H6138

ekron, a place in palestine

וַיְהִ֗י6 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּב֨וֹא7 of 22

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֲרוֹן֙8 of 22

And it came to pass as the ark

H727

a box

אֱלֹהֵ֣י9 of 22

of God

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

עֶקְר֔וֹן10 of 22

to Ekron

H6138

ekron, a place in palestine

וַיִּזְעֲק֨וּ11 of 22

cried out

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

הָֽעֶקְרֹנִ֜ים12 of 22

that the Ekronites

H6139

an ekronite or inhabitant of ekron

לֵאמֹ֗ר13 of 22

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵסַ֤בּוּ14 of 22

They have brought about

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

אֵלַי֙15 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת16 of 22
H853

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

אֲרוֹן֙17 of 22

And it came to pass as the ark

H727

a box

אֱלֹהֵ֣י18 of 22

of God

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל19 of 22

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לַֽהֲמִיתֵ֖נִי20 of 22

to us to slay

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְאֶת21 of 22
H853

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

עַמִּֽי׃22 of 22

us and our people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock


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 5:10 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 5:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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