1 samuel 4:12 - A man of Benjamin ran out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with dirt on his head.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 samuel 4:12" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 4:12, describes a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. It signals a disastrous defeat for the Israelites and introduces the messenger who will deliver the devastating news to Shiloh. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"A man of Benjamin ran out of the army...": This indicates that the man was a soldier from the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He ran out of the army, implying a hasty and panicked retreat. He wasn't simply leaving; he was fleeing. This already suggests something terrible has happened in battle.
"...and came to Shiloh the same day...": Shiloh was a significant location for the Israelites at this time. It was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the Tabernacle, making it the religious center of Israel. The fact that he arrived the same day suggests he ran with great urgency. He was coming to the most important place in the land to deliver a critical message.
"...with his clothes torn, and with dirt on his head.": These are traditional signs of mourning and profound grief in ancient Israelite culture. Tearing clothes and covering oneself with dirt were outward displays of intense sorrow, shame, and often accompanied news of death or great calamity. These physical signs visually communicated the gravity of the situation even before he spoke a word.
In essence, this verse depicts a messenger arriving at Shiloh in a state of obvious distress to deliver devastating news about a major defeat of the Israelite army. The torn clothes and dirt serve as a visual premonition of the tragedy that has befallen the Israelites. The reader knows before being told the specifics that something terrible has happened.
Context is Key:
To fully understand the verse's significance, you need to consider its context:
The Ark of the Covenant: The Israelites had taken the Ark of the Covenant into battle, believing it would guarantee them victory.
Previous Defeat: This wasn't the first time the Israelites had faced defeat against the Philistines.
Impending News: The subsequent verses reveal that the Israelites were defeated, many soldiers were killed (including Eli's sons), and, most devastatingly, the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines.
The messenger's arrival, therefore, foreshadows the catastrophic news about to be delivered and the spiritual crisis that the loss of the Ark will trigger. It marks a turning point in Israel's history.
1 samuel 4:12 - A man of Benjamin ran out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with dirt on his head.
What does "1 samuel 4:12" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 4:12, describes a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. It signals a disastrous defeat for the Israelites and introduces the messenger who will deliver the devastating news to Shiloh. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"A man of Benjamin ran out of the army...": This indicates that the man was a soldier from the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He ran out of the army, implying a hasty and panicked retreat. He wasn't simply leaving; he was fleeing. This already suggests something terrible has happened in battle.
"...and came to Shiloh the same day...": Shiloh was a significant location for the Israelites at this time. It was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the Tabernacle, making it the religious center of Israel. The fact that he arrived the same day suggests he ran with great urgency. He was coming to the most important place in the land to deliver a critical message.
"...with his clothes torn, and with dirt on his head.": These are traditional signs of mourning and profound grief in ancient Israelite culture. Tearing clothes and covering oneself with dirt were outward displays of intense sorrow, shame, and often accompanied news of death or great calamity. These physical signs visually communicated the gravity of the situation even before he spoke a word.
In essence, this verse depicts a messenger arriving at Shiloh in a state of obvious distress to deliver devastating news about a major defeat of the Israelite army. The torn clothes and dirt serve as a visual premonition of the tragedy that has befallen the Israelites. The reader knows before being told the specifics that something terrible has happened.
Context is Key:
To fully understand the verse's significance, you need to consider its context:
The Ark of the Covenant: The Israelites had taken the Ark of the Covenant into battle, believing it would guarantee them victory.
Previous Defeat: This wasn't the first time the Israelites had faced defeat against the Philistines.
Impending News: The subsequent verses reveal that the Israelites were defeated, many soldiers were killed (including Eli's sons), and, most devastatingly, the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines.
The messenger's arrival, therefore, foreshadows the catastrophic news about to be delivered and the spiritual crisis that the loss of the Ark will trigger. It marks a turning point in Israel's history.