Keraia
1 Samuel 4

1 Samuel 4:21

The Death of Eli · 1 Samuel 4:12–22
Read 1 Samuel 4

Translations

Modern
And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and her father-in-law and her husband had been killed.
Traditional
And she named the child I–chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.
Literal
And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
Latin
Et vocabit puerum Ichabod, dicens: Translata est gloria de Israël, quia capta est arca Dei, et pro socero suo et pro viro suo;

Original

Hebrew
English
And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and her father-in-law and her husband had been killed.

Notes

1 Samuel 4:20–21

The name Ichabod includes the Hebrew word kabod, meaning glory (see Exodus 24:15–17). A similar word describes Eli in 1 Samuel 4:18 (Hebrew kabed, meaning heavy). The ark's disappearance mirrors the fall of Eli’s family. The Israelites lost divine glory and protection (compare Ezekiel 8–10; Luke 19:41–44; 21:20–24), but God's glorious presence would later return to them (1 Samuel 6:1–21; compare Ezekiel 43:1–8).

1 Samuel 4:1–7:2

The crisis with the ark of the covenant showed Israel needed Samuel's leadership. It also fulfilled prophecies about Eli and his sons (1 Samuel 3:11–14).

Theme notes and profiles

Eli Samuel The Philistines The Collapse of Culture

People

Ichabod: Son of Phinehas, born when the ark was captured Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Ark of the Covenant Ashkelon Eli Ephraim (Place) Ichabod Marriage, Marriage Customs Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Saul

Topics

Ark of the Covenant: Esteemed the Glory of Israel Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Taken to Battle I-Chabod: Son of Phinehas, and Grandson of Eli Judgments: Eli's House Parents: Involved in Children's Wickedness Patriotism: Phinehas' Wife