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Saturday, July 26th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Easy-to-Read Version

1 Samuel 4:4

So the people sent men to Shiloh. The men brought back the Lord All-Powerful's Box of the Agreement. On top of the Box are the Cherub angels. They are like a throne where the Lord sits. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, came with the Box.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Aphek;   Ark;   Armies;   Hophni;   Mercy-Seat;   Priest;   Tabernacle;   Thompson Chain Reference - Cherubim;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ark of the Covenant;   Armies of Israel, the;   Cherubim;   Philistines, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ark of the Covenant;   Eli;   Philistines;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ark;   Cherubim;   Philistia, philistines;   Phinehas;   Tabernacle;   Throne;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Angel;   God, Name of;   God, Names of;   Samuel, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Lord's Name Taken in Vain;   Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Ark;   Cherub;   Phinehas;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Pentateuch;   Phinehas;   Rabbah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ark of the Covenant;   Art and Aesthetics;   Calves, Golden;   Cherub, Cherubim;   High Priest;   Hophni and Phinehas;   Philistines, the;   Sabaoth;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Philistines;   Samuel, Books of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Hophni ;   Phinehas ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Hophni;   Shiloh;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Eli;   Phinehas;   Shiloh;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Phin'ehas;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Samuel the Prophet;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ark of the Covenant;   Army;   Cherubim (1);   God;   Throne;   War;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ark of the covenant;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Angelology;   Ark of the Covenant;   Cherub;   Eben-Ezer;   Iyyar;   Micah;   Names of God;   Priest;   Shekinah;   Wahb Ibn Munabbih (Abu 'Abd Allah Al-á¹£ana'ani Al-Dhimari);   War;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for March 30;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So the people sent men to Shiloh to bring back the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Hebrew Names Version
So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits [above] the Keruvim: and the two sons of `Eli, Hofni and Pinechas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
King James Version
So 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.
Lexham English Bible
So the army sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts who sits between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
English Standard Version
So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
New Century Version
So the people sent men to Shiloh. They brought back the Ark of the Agreement with the Lord All-Powerful, who sits between the gold creatures with wings. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the Ark.
New English Translation
So the army sent to Shiloh, and they took from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts who sits between the cherubim. Now the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Amplified Bible
So the people sent word to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts who sits above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were with the ark of the covenant of God.
New American Standard Bible
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD of armies who is enthroned above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the people sent to Shiloh, & brought from thence the Arke of the couenant of the Lorde of hostes, who dwelleth betweene the Cherubims: and there were the two sonnes of Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas, with the Arke of the couenant of God.
Legacy Standard Bible
So the people sent to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts who sits above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Contemporary English Version
The army sent some soldiers to bring back the sacred chest from Shiloh, because the Lord All-Powerful has his throne on the winged creatures on top of the chest. As Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas,
Complete Jewish Bible
So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark for the covenant of Adonai -Tzva'ot, who is present above the k'ruvim. The two sons of ‘Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were there with the ark for the covenant of God.
Darby Translation
So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of hosts, who sitteth between the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there by the ark of the covenant of God.
George Lamsa Translation
So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwells upon the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
Good News Translation
So they sent messengers to Shiloh and got the Covenant Box of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned above the winged creatures. And Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, came along with the Covenant Box.
Literal Translation
And the people sent to Shiloh, and they took from there the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubs. And the two sons of Eli were there with the ark of the covenant of God, Hophni and Phinehas.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the people sent vnto Silo, & caused to fet thece the Arke of ye couenaunt of the LORDE Zebaoth, that sytteth vpon the Cherubins. And with the Arke of the couenaunt of God there were the two sonnes of Eli, Ophni and Phineas.
American Standard Version
So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of hosts, who sitteth above the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Bible in Basic English
So the people sent to Shiloh and got the ark of the agreement of the Lord of armies whose resting-place is between the winged ones; and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were there with the ark of God's agreement.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And so the people went to Silo, and fet from thence the arke of the appoyntment of the Lorde of hoastes, which dwelleth betweene the cherubims: And there wer the two sonnes of Eli, Hophni and Phinehes, with the arke of the appoyntment of God.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
So 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.
King James Version (1611)
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the Arke of the Couenant of the Lord of hostes, which dwelleth betweene the Cherubims: and the two sonnes of Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas were there, with the Arke of the Couenant of God.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And 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.
English Revised Version
So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which sitteth upon the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Berean Standard Bible
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor the puple sente in to Silo, and thei token fro thennus the arke of boond of pees of the Lord of oostis, `that sat on cherubyn. And Ophym and Fynees, twei sones of Heli, weren with the arke of boond of pees of the Lord.
Young's Literal Translation
And the people sendeth to Shiloh, and they take up thence the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of Hosts, inhabiting the cherubs, and there [are] two sons of Eli, with the ark of the covenant of God, Hophni and Phinehas.
Update Bible Version
So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts, who sits [above] the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Webster's Bible Translation
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwelleth [between] the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, [were] there with the ark of the covenant of God.
World English Bible
So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of Hosts, who sits [above] the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
New King James Version
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
New Living Translation
So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven's Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God.
New Life Bible
So the people sent men to Shiloh to take the special box with the Law of the Lord of All Who sits above the cherubim. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the special box with the Law of God.
New Revised Standard
So the people sent to Shiloh, and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So the people sent to Shiloh, and bare from thence the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts, who inhabiteth the cherubim, - and, there, were the two sons of Eli, with the ark of the covenant of God, namely, Hophni and Phinehas.
Douay-Rheims Bible
So the people sent to Silo, and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, sitting upon the cherubims: and the two sons of Heli, Ophni and Phinees, were with the ark of the covenant of God.
Revised Standard Version
So the people sent to Shiloh, and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phin'ehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
THE MESSAGE
So the army sent orders to Shiloh. They brought the Chest of the Covenant of God , the God -of-the-Angel-Armies, the Cherubim-Enthroned- God . Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the Chest of the Covenant of God.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So the people sent to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts who sits above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

Contextual Overview

1 Then Samuel would announce the Lord 's message to all the people of Israel. When Eli was very old, his sons lived more and more in a way the Lord considered evil. At that time the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites made their camp at Ebenezer. The Philistines made their camp at Aphek. 2 The Philistines lined up their soldiers in front of the Israelites and began the attack. The Philistines defeated the Israelites. They killed about 4000 soldiers from Israel's army. 3 The rest of the Israelite soldiers went back to their camp. The elders of Israel asked, "Why did the Lord let the Philistines defeat us? Let's bring the Lord 's Box of the Agreement from Shiloh. God will go with us into battle and save us from our enemies." 4 So the people sent men to Shiloh. The men brought back the Lord All-Powerful's Box of the Agreement. On top of the Box are the Cherub angels. They are like a throne where the Lord sits. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, came with the Box. 5 When the Lord 's Box of the Agreement came into the camp, all the Israelites gave a great shout loud enough to make the ground shake. 6 The Philistines heard Israel's shout and asked, "Why are the people so excited in the Hebrew camp?" Then the Philistines learned that the Lord 's Holy Box had been brought into Israel's camp. 7 They became afraid and said, "Gods have come to their camp! We're in trouble. This has never happened before. 8 We are worried. Who can save us from these powerful gods? These gods are the same ones that gave the Egyptians those diseases and terrible sicknesses. 9 Be brave, Philistines. Fight like men. In the past they were our slaves, so fight like men or you will become their slaves."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

which dwelleth: 2 Samuel 6:2, 2 Kings 19:15, Psalms 80:1, Psalms 99:1

the cherubims: Exodus 25:18-22, Numbers 7:89

Hophni: 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 1 Samuel 2:22, Psalms 50:16, Psalms 50:17, Malachi 1:9, Acts 19:15, Acts 19:16

with the ark: Numbers 4:5, Numbers 4:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:24 - Cherubims Exodus 25:22 - between Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments Joshua 18:1 - set up Judges 18:31 - all the time Judges 20:27 - the ark 1 Samuel 1:3 - And the 1 Samuel 1:24 - house 1 Samuel 2:32 - an enemy 2 Samuel 11:11 - The ark 2 Samuel 22:11 - a cherub 1 Kings 8:6 - under the wings 1 Kings 14:4 - Shiloh 1 Chronicles 13:6 - that dwelleth 1 Chronicles 28:18 - the chariot Psalms 78:60 - General Isaiah 37:16 - dwellest Jeremiah 7:4 - The temple Jeremiah 7:12 - and see Acts 7:45 - Which Hebrews 9:5 - over

Cross-References

Genesis 4:16
Cain went away from the Lord and lived in the land of Nod.
Genesis 4:17
Cain had sexual relations with his wife. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son named Enoch. Cain built a city and gave the city the same name as his son Enoch.
Genesis 4:19
Lamech married two women. One wife was named Adah, and the other was named Zillah.
Genesis 4:20
Adah gave birth to Jabal. Jabal was the father of people who live in tents and earn their living by keeping cattle.
Genesis 15:17
After the sun went down, it got very dark. The dead animals were still on the ground, each animal cut into two pieces. Then a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between the halves of the dead animals.
Exodus 13:12
you must remember to give the Lord every firstborn boy. And every male animal that is the firstborn must also be given to the Lord .
Leviticus 9:24
Fire came out from the Lord and burned the burnt offering and fat on the altar. When all the people saw this, they shouted with joy and then bowed to the ground to show their respect.
Numbers 16:35
Then a fire came from the Lord and destroyed the 250 men who were offering the incense.
Numbers 18:12
"And I give you all the best olive oil and all the best new wine and grain. These are the things that the Israelites give to me, the Lord . These are the first things that they gather in their harvest.
Numbers 18:17
"But you must not make a payment for the firstborn cow, sheep, or goat. These animals are holy. Sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a sweet-smelling gift to the Lord .

Gill's Notes on the Bible

So the people sent to Shiloh,.... They liked the proposal of the elders, took their advice, and joined with them in a message to Eli the high priest at Shiloh:

that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubim; which overshadowed the mercy seat that was upon the ark, and was the residence of the divine Majesty; wherefore having this with them, they concluded they should have the presence of God with them, and so success, see Psalms 53:1

and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God; these, either with or without the leave of Eli, took the ark out of the tabernacle, and carried it on their shoulders to the camp, or however attended it there, being borne by other priests or Levites; and by this means they were brought into the camp, and so to battle, to meet their doom there; according to Bunting d, it was carried by them forty two miles.

d Travels of the Patriarchs, &c. p. 123.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The people sent - The expression is very indicative of the political state so frequently noted by the writer of the Book of Judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 4:4. The Lord of hosts — See on 1 Samuel 1:3.

Dwelleth between the cherubims — Of what shape the cherubim were, we know not; but there was one of these representative figures placed at each end of the ark of the covenant; and between them, on the lid or cover of that ark, which was called the propitiatory or mercy-seat, the shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence, was said to dwell. They thought, therefore, if they had the ark, they must necessarily have the presence and influence of Jehovah.


 
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