1 Samuel 4:8

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.

Woe {H188} unto us! who shall deliver {H5337} us out of the hand {H3027} of these mighty {H117} Gods {H430}? these are the Gods {H430} that smote {H5221} the Egyptians {H4714} with all the plagues {H4347} in the wilderness {H4057}.

We're lost! Who will rescue us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods that completely overthrew the Egyptians in the desert.

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.

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.

Commentary

1 Samuel 4:8 captures the terrified reaction of the Philistine army as they face the Israelite forces, who have just brought the Ark of the Covenant into their camp. This verse offers a fascinating glimpse into the Philistine worldview and their perception of the God of Israel.

Context

The Philistines and Israelites are at war. The Israelites, having suffered an initial defeat, mistakenly believe that bringing the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh will guarantee them victory, treating it as a magical charm rather than a symbol of God's presence and covenant. When the Ark arrives, the Israelite camp erupts in a great shout, causing the Philistines to panic. They recognize the shouts as coming from the "Gods" of the Hebrews, whom they associate with the mighty acts of judgment in Egypt.

Key Themes

  • Fear of God's Power: The Philistines are overwhelmed by dread, acknowledging the formidable power of the God of Israel. They remember His past interventions in history, particularly the devastating plagues upon Egypt. This fear, however, does not lead to repentance or worship, but to a desperate resolve to fight.
  • Misconception of God's Nature: Despite acknowledging God's power, the Philistines fundamentally misunderstand His nature. They refer to Him as "these mighty Gods," reflecting their polytheistic worldview. They perceive the God of Israel as merely one powerful deity among many, rather than the one true, sovereign God.
  • Divine Reputation: Even among His enemies, God's reputation for mighty acts precedes Him. The history of the Exodus was not confined to Israel but was known and feared by surrounding nations.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates the Hebrew word Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) as "Gods" in this verse. While Elohim is often used as a singular noun for the one true God of Israel (e.g., in Genesis 1:1), it can also function as a plural noun for "gods" or "divine beings." In this context, the Philistines, coming from a polytheistic culture, clearly understood and used Elohim in its plural sense, projecting their own theological framework onto the God of Israel. This highlights their profound theological misunderstanding, in contrast to the monotheistic truth presented throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4).

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of how people, even today, can acknowledge God's power without truly understanding His person. We might recognize historical acts of God or even feel fear in the face of His judgment, but true faith involves moving beyond mere acknowledgment to a personal relationship and worship of the one, sovereign God. It challenges us to examine our own understanding: Do we perceive God merely as a powerful force, or as the loving, righteous, and unique Lord who desires a covenant relationship with His people?

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 7:5 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Psalms 78:43 (2 votes)

    How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

  • Psalms 78:51 (2 votes)

    And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of [their] strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

  • Exodus 9:14 (2 votes)

    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.