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 4:8KJV
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1 Samuel 4:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 4:8 mean?

1 Samuel 4:8 records the Philistines’ fearful reaction when they hear that the Ark of the Covenant has entered the Israelite camp. The Philistines cry out in alarm, believing that powerful gods—who they think once struck Egypt with plagues—are now fighting for Israel, and they despair over who could possibly save them.

In this verse, the Philistines are speaking to each other as they face the Israelites in battle. They remember stories about Israel’s God bringing plagues on Egypt and now fear that the same power is against them. Their words show both confusion about Israel’s God (calling Him “gods” in the plural) and a sense of dread, thinking they are up against a force far beyond their own strength.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 4:8

  • “Woe” (אוֹי, ’oy, H188): This word expresses deep distress or disaster. The Philistines are not just worried—they are panicked, feeling doomed.
  • “Gods” (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim, H430): The Philistines use the plural form, which in Hebrew can refer to the one true God or to gods in general. Here, it shows their misunderstanding, as they see Israel’s God as one among many powerful deities.
  • “Plagues” (מַכָּה, makkah, H4347): This word means blows, strikes, or plagues. The Philistines recall the dramatic punishments that fell on Egypt, showing they know the stories of Israel’s past and fear a similar fate.

Why 1 Samuel 4:8 matters

  • This verse highlights how Israel’s reputation and God’s past actions shaped the fears of other nations, even if those nations misunderstood the details.
  • The Philistines’ panic shows that the Ark’s arrival was seen as a real threat, not just a religious symbol, revealing how seriously ancient peoples took these events.
  • The confusion about “gods” versus “God” points to the Philistines’ lack of understanding about Israel’s faith, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament.

Where else these words appear

“Woe” Hebrew H188 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • Isaiah 24:16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
  • Jeremiah 45:3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.

“mighty” Hebrew H117 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
  • Psalms 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
  • Jeremiah 25:35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.

“plagues” Hebrew H4347 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
  • 1 Samuel 23:5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
  • Isaiah 27:7 Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?