The Ark Taken and Eli's Death

1 Samuel 4

Israel is defeated by the Philistines and brings the ark of the Lord into battle hoping it will save them, but the ark is captured and Eli's sons Ophni and Phinees are killed; on hearing the news Eli falls backward from his seat and dies, and his daughter-in-law, dying in childbirth, names her newborn son because the glory has departed from Israel.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW Eli was very old, and his sons continued their courses. And their way was evil in the sight of the Lord. And in those days the Philistines assembled for war against Israel; and Israel went out to meet them for battle, and encamped at Abenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek.

BrentonAnd it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered themselves together against Israel to war; and Israel went out to meet them and encamped at Aben-ezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphec.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, καὶ συναθροίζονται ἀλλόφυλοι ἐπὶ Ἰσραὴλ εἰς πόλεμον· καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ἰσραὴλ εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῖς εἰς πόλεμον, καὶ παρεμβάλλουσιν ἐπὶ Ἀβενέζερ· καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι παρεμβάλλουσιν ἐν Ἀφέκ.

KJVAnd the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

JPSAnd the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer; and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

ThomsonAnd the Philistines drew up in array for battle against Israel, and the battle was unfavourable; for Israel gave way before the Philistines, and there were smitten in the engagement, on the field of battle, four thousand men.

BrentonAnd the Philistines prepare to fight with Israel, and the battle was turned against them; and the men of Israel fell before the Philistines, and there were smitten in the battle in the field four thousand men.

GreekΚαὶ παρατάσσονται ἀλλόφυλοι εἰς πόλεμον ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἔκλινεν ὁ πόλεμος, καὶ ἔπταισεν ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ ἐνώπιον ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ ἐπλήγησαν ἐν τῇ παρατάξει ἐν ἀγρῷ τέσσαρες χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν.

KJVAnd the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

JPSAnd the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel; and when the battle was spread, Israel was smitten before the Philistines; and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

ThomsonAnd when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, Why hath the Lord caused us this day to shrink before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of our God from Selom, and let it go forth from the midst of us, and it will save us out of the hands of our enemies.

BrentonAnd the people came to the camp, and the elders of Israel said, Why has the Lord caused us to fall this day before the Philistines? let us take the ark of our God out of Selom, and let it proceed from the midst of us, and it shall save us from the hand of our enemies.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν, καὶ εἶπαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Ἰσραὴλ, κατὰ τί ἔπταισεν ἡμᾶς Κύριος σήμερον ἐνώπιον ἀλλοφύλων; λάβωμεν τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἐκ Σηλώμ, καὶ ἐξελθέτω ἐκ μέσου ἡμῶν, καὶ σώσει ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν.

KJVAnd when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

JPSAnd when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said: ‘Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to-day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that He may come among us, and save us out of the hand of our enemies.’

ThomsonSo the people sent to Selom, and brought thence the ark of the Lord who is enthroned on the cherubim. And both the sons of Eli, Ophni and Phineas, went with the ark.

BrentonAnd the people sent to Selom, and they take thence the ark of the Lord who dwells between the cherubs: and both the sons of Heli, Ophni and Phinees, were with the ark.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ λαὸς εἰς Σηλὼμ, καὶ αἴρουσιν ἐκεῖθεν τὴν κιβωτὸν Κυρίου καθημένου χερουβίμ· καὶ ἀμφότεροι οἱ υἱοὶ Ἡλὶ μετὰ τῆς κιβωτοῦ, Ὀφνὶ καὶ Φινεές.

KJVSo the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

JPSSo the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who sitteth upon the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

ThomsonAnd when the ark of the Lord came to the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, and the earth resounded.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when the ark of the Lord entered into the camp, that all Israel cried out with a loud voice, and the earth resounded.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς ἦλθεν ἡ κιβωτὸς Κυρίου εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν, καὶ ἀνέκραξεν πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, καὶ ἤχησεν ἡ γῆ.

KJVAnd when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

JPSAnd when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang.

ThomsonUpon hearing the noise of the shouting, the Philistines said, What great shouting is this in the camp of the Hebrews? And when they understood that the ark of the Lord was come to the camp,

BrentonAnd the Philistines heard the cry, and the Philistines said, What is this great cry in the camp of the Hebrews: and they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp.

GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι τῆς κραυγῆς, καὶ εἶπον οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι, τίς ἡ κραυγὴ ἡ μεγάλη αὕτη ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ τῶν Ἑβραίων; καὶ ἔγνωσαν ὅτι κιβωτὸς Κυρίου ἥκει εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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 knew that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

Thomsonthe Philistines were struck with terror, and said, The gods are come to them into the camp. Alas for us! Deliver us, O Lord, this day! for such a thing hath never been done heretofore.

BrentonAnd the Philistines feared, and said, These are the Gods that are come to them into the camp.

GreekΚαὶ ἐφοβήθησαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι, καὶ εἶπον, οὗτοι οἱ θεοὶ ἥκασι πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν. Οὐαὶ ἡμῖν, ἐξελοῦ ἡμᾶς Κύριε σήμερον, ὅτι οὐ γέγονε τοιαύτη ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην·

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the Philistines were afraid, for they said: ‘God is come into the camp.’ And they said: ‘Woe unto us! for there was not such a thing yesterday and the day before.

ThomsonAlas for us! Who can deliver us out of the hands of these strong gods? These are the gods who continued smiting Egypt with every plague, and in the wilderness—

BrentonWoe 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.

Greekοὐαὶ ἡμῖν, τίς ἐξελεῖται ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς τῶν θεῶν τῶν στερεῶν τούτων; οὗτοι οἱ θεοὶ οἱ πατάξαντες τὴν Αἴγυπτον ἐν πάσῃ πληγῇ, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.

KJVWoe 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.

JPSWoe 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.

ThomsonBe strong and acquit yourselves like men, O Philistines, that you may not become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been to us. Acquit yourselves like men, and fight them.

BrentonStrengthen yourselves and behave yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye may not serve the Hebrews as they have served us, but be ye men and fight with them.

GreekΚραταιοῦσθε καὶ γίνεσθε εἰς ἄνδρας ἀλλόφυλοι, ὅπως μὴ δουλεύσητε τοῖς Ἑβραίοις, καθὼς ἐδούλευσαν ἡυῖν, καὶ ἔσεσθε εἰς ἄνδρας, καὶ πολεμήσατε αὐτούς.

KJVBe 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.

JPSBe 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.’

ThomsonSo they fought them, and Israel gave way, and fled every man to his tent. And there was a very great slaughter; and there fell of Israel thirty thousand warriors.

BrentonAnd they fought with them; and the men of Israel fall, and they fled every man to his tent; and there was a very great slaughter; and there fell of Israel thirty thousand fighting men.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπολέμησαν αὐτούς· καὶ πταίει ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἔφυγεν ἕκαστος εἰς σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐγένετο πληγὴ μεγάλη σφόδρα· καὶ ἔπεσον ἐξ Ἰσραὴλ τριάκοντα χιλιάδες ταγμάτων.

KJVAnd 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.

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

ThomsonAnd the ark of God was taken, and Ophni and Phineas, the two sons of Eli, were both slain.

BrentonAnd the ark of God was taken, and both the sons of Heli, Ophni and Phinees, died.

GreekΚαὶ κιβωτὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐλήφθη, καὶ ἀμφότεροι οἱ υἱοὶ Ἡλὶ ἀπέθανον, Ὀφνὶ καὶ Φινεές.

KJVAnd the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

JPSAnd the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

ThomsonAnd there ran a Jeminite from the battle, and came to Selom the same day, with his clothes rent and dust on his head.

BrentonAnd there ran a man of Benjamin out of the battle, and he came to Selom on that day: and his clothes were rent, and earth was upon his head.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδραμεν ἀνὴρ Ἰεμιναῖος ἐκ τῆς παρατάξεως, καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Σηλὼμ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ διεῤῥωγότα, καὶ γῆ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

JPSAnd there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

ThomsonAnd when he came, lo! Eli was sitting on his seat, by the gate, watching the way; for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man went into the city, and told the news, the city raised a cry.

BrentonAnd he came, and behold, Heli was upon the seat by the gate looking along the way, for his heart was greatly alarmed for the ark of God: and the man entered into the city to bring tidings; and the city cried out.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθε, καὶ ἰδοὺ Ἡλὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ δίφρου παρὰ τὴν πύλην σκοπεύων τὴν ὁδὸν, ὅτι ἦν καρδία αὐτοῦ ἐξεστηκυῖα περὶ τῆς κιβωτοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἀπαγγεῖλαι· καὶ ἀνεβόησεν ἡ πόλις.

KJVAnd when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

JPSAnd when he came, lo, Eli sat upon his seat by the wayside watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

ThomsonAnd upon hearing the sound of the cry, Eli said, What noise of crying is this? Then the man came in haste, and told Eli.

BrentonAnd Heli heard the sound of the cry, and said, What is the voice of this cry? and the man hasted and went in, and reported to Heli.

GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσεν Ἡλὶ τὴν φωνὴν τῆς βοῆς, καὶ εἶπε, τίς ἡ φωνῆ τῆς βοῆς ταύτης; καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος σπεύσας εἰσῆλθε, καὶ ἀπήγγειλε τῷ Ἡλί.

KJVAnd when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.

JPSAnd when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said: ‘What meaneth the noise of this tumult?’ And the man made haste, and came and told Eli.

ThomsonNow Eli was ninety years of age, and his eyes were dim so that he could not see.

BrentonNow Heli was ninety years old, and his eyes were fixed, and he saw not.

GreekΚαὶ Ἡλὶ υἱὸς ἐνενήκοντα ἐτῶν, καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπανέστησαν, καὶ οὐκ ἐπέβλεπε. Καὶ εἶπεν Ἡλὶ τοῖς ἀνδράσιν τοῖς περιεστηκόσιν αὐτῷ, τίς ἡ φωνὴ τοῦ ἤχου τούτου;

KJVNow Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.

JPSNow Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were set, that he could not see.

ThomsonAnd just as Eli said to the men who stood round him, What noise of crying is this? the man came in haste to Eli, and said to him, I am he who came from the army, and fled today from the engagement. Whereupon Eli said, What was the outcome, my son?

BrentonAnd Heli said to them that stood round about him, What is the voice of this sound? And the man hasted and advanced to Heli, and said to him, I am he that is come out of the camp, and I have fled from the battle to-day: and Heli said, What is the event, my son?

Greekκαὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ σπεύσας προσῆλθε πρὸς Ἡλὶ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ἥκων ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς, κᾀγὼ πέφευγα ἐκ τῆς παρατάξεως σήμερον· καὶ εἶπεν Ἡλὶ, τί τὸ γεγονὸς ῥῆμα, τέκνον;

KJVAnd the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?

JPSAnd the man said unto Eli: ‘I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to-day out of the army.’ And he said: ‘How went the matter, my son?’

ThomsonAnd the young man in reply, said, Israel fled before the face of the Philistines, and there was a great slaughter among the people, and both thy sons are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

BrentonAnd the young man answered and said, The men of Israel fled from the face of the Philistines, and there was a great slaughter among the people, and both thy sons are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη τὸ παιδάριον, καὶ εἶπε, πέφευγεν ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ προσώπου ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ ἐγένετο πληγὴ μεγάλη ἐν τῷ λαῷ, καὶ ἀμφότεροι οἱ υἱοί σου τεθνήκασι, καὶ ἡ κιβωτὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐλήφθη.

KJVAnd the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

JPSAnd he that brought the tidings answered and said: ‘Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.’

ThomsonSoon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward from his seat by the gate, and his back was broken, and he died; for he was an old man and heavy. Now he had judged Israel twenty years.

BrentonAnd it came to pass, when he mentioned the ark of God, that he fell from the seat backward near the gate, and his back was broken, and he died, for he was an old man and heavy: and he judged Israel twenty years.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἐμνήσθη τῆς κιβωτοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἀπὸ τοῦ δίφρου ὀπισθίως ἐχόμενος τῆς πύλης, καὶ συνετρίβη ὁ νῶτος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπέθανεν, ὅτι πρεσβύτης ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ βαρύς· καὶ αὐτὸς ἔκρινε τὸν Ἰσραὴλ εἴκοσι ἔτη.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck broke, and he died; for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

ThomsonAnd when his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phineas, who was with child, heard the news, that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she burst into tears and travailed, for her pains came upon her.

BrentonAnd his daughter-in-law the wife of Phinees was with child, about to bring forth; and she heard the tidings, that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead; and she wept and was delivered, for her pains came upon her.

GreekΚαὶ νύμφη αὐτοῦ γυνὴ Φινεὲς συνειληφυῖα τοῦ τεκεῖν, καὶ ἤκουσε τὴν ἀγγελίαν, ὅτι ἐλήφθη ἡ κιβωτὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ὅτι τέθνηκεν ὁ πενθερὸς αὐτῆς καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἔκλαυσε καὶ ἔτεκεν, ὅτι ἐπεστράφησαν ἐπʼ αὐτὴν ὠδῖνες αὐτῆς·

KJVAnd his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

JPSAnd his daughter-in-law, Phinehas’wife, was with child, near to be delivered; and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and brought forth; for her pains came suddenly upon her.

ThomsonAnd when she was at the point of death, the women who attended her, said, Fear not, for thou hast brought forth a son; but she made them no answer: her heart regarded it not;

BrentonAnd in her time she was at the point of death; and the women that stood by her, said to her, Fear not, for thou hast born a son: but she answered not, and her heart did not regard it.

GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ αὐτῆς ἀποθνήσκει· καὶ εἶπον αὐτῇ αἱ γυναῖκες αἱ παρεστηκυῖαι αὐτῇ, μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι υἱὸν τέτοκασ· καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη, καὶ οὐκ ἐνόησαν ἡ καρδία αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

JPSAnd about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her: ‘Fear not; for thou hast brought forth a son.’ But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

Thomsonbut she called her son Ouaibarchaboth, for the ark of God, and for her father-in-law, and for her husband.

BrentonAnd she called the child Uæbarchaboth, because of the ark of God, and because of her father-in-law, and because of her husband.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ παιδάριον Οὐαιβαρχαβώθ ὑπὲρ τῆς κιβωτοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ὑπὲρ τοῦ πενθεροῦ αὐτῆς, καὶ ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

JPSAnd she named the child Ichabod, saying: ‘The glory is departed from Israel’; because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

ThomsonAnd they said, The glory departed from Israel, when the ark of the Lord was taken.

BrentonAnd they said, The glory of Israel is departed, forasmuch as the ark of the Lord is taken.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν, ἀπῴκισται δόξα Ἰσραὴλ ἐν τῷ ληφθῆναι τὴν κιβωτὸν Κυρίου.

KJVAnd she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

JPSAnd she said: ‘The glory is departed from Israel; for the ark of God is taken.’