King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 5:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 5:11 in the King James Version says “So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, a... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 5:11 · KJV


Context

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 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological admission do the Philistines make by sending the Ark back?
  2. How does Philistine fear contrast with Israel's presumption in chapter 4?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
שַׁלְּח֞וּ1 of 30

Send away

H7971

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

וַיַּֽאַסְפ֜וּ2 of 30

and gathered together

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶת3 of 30
H853

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

כָּל4 of 30
H3605

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

סַרְנֵ֣י5 of 30

all the lords

H5633

an axle

פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים6 of 30

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙7 of 30

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שַׁלְּח֞וּ8 of 30

Send away

H7971

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

אֶת9 of 30
H853

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

אֲר֨וֹן10 of 30

the ark

H727

a box

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים11 of 30

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙12 of 30

of Israel

H3478

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

וְיָשֹׁ֣ב13 of 30

and let it go again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לִמְקוֹמ֔וֹ14 of 30

to his own place

H4725

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)

וְלֹֽא15 of 30
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָמִ֥ית16 of 30

that it slay

H4191

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

אֹתִ֖י17 of 30
H853

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

וְאֶת18 of 30
H853

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

עַמִּ֑י19 of 30

us not 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

כִּֽי20 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הָיְתָ֤ה21 of 30
H1961

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

מְהֽוּמַת22 of 30

destruction

H4103

confusion or uproar

מָ֙וֶת֙23 of 30

for there was a deadly

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

בְּכָל24 of 30
H3605

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

הָעִ֔יר25 of 30

throughout all the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

כָּֽבְדָ֥ה26 of 30

heavy

H3513

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

מְאֹ֛ד27 of 30

was very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

יַ֥ד28 of 30

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

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים29 of 30

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

שָֽׁם׃30 of 30
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 5:11 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 5:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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