1 Samuel 5

^I “Philistines” = Pelishti. From Pelesheth (Philistia); from palash (to mourn, wallow, maybe roll in). This is Philistines. Their name may mean “griever” or “burrower” or “weakener.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Philistine.html.
^II “captured” = laqach. This is to take, accept, carry away, receive. It can also have the sense of take a wife or take in marriage.
^III “ark” = aron. Perhaps from arah (to gather or pluck). This is a chest, box, or coffin. It is used for the Ark of the Covenant.
^IV “God” = Elohim.

^V “brought” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
^VI “Ebenezer” = Eben Haezer. 3x in OT– all in 1 Samuel. From eben (stone, weight, mason); {perhaps from banah (to build, make, set up, obtain children; to build literally or figuratively)} + ezer (help, aid, helper); {from azar (to help, protect, support, ally; properly, to surround so as to provide aid)}. This is Ebenezer, which means “stone of the help.”
^VII “Ashdod” = Ashdod. 17x in OT. Perhaps from shadad (to ruin, assault, devastate, oppress, destroy completely; properly, it is being burly; figuratively it is something that is powerful). This is Ashdod, a city whose name may mean “ravager.”

^VIII “took” = laqach. Same as “captured” in v1. See note II above.
^IX “house” = bayit. Related to “Ebenezer” in v1. Probably from banah (see note VI above). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
^X “Dagon” = Dagon. 13x in OT. From dag (fish, fishing); {from dagah (fish – perhaps as creatures that move by squirming) or daag (to fear, be worried, sorrow, be concerned, be anxious, be sorry)} OR from dagan (grain, cereal); {from dagah (see above)}. This is Dagon, a Philistine deity. Dagon’s name is related to fish. It could mean “cultivator of natural abundance” or “honored fish.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Dagon.html

^XI “placed” = yatsag. 16x in OT. This is to set, establish, present, stay. It can imply putting something somewhere permanently.
^XII “beside” = etsel. From atsal (to reserve, refuse, join, separate, keep). This is nearby, toward, joining.
^XIII “people of Ashdod” = Ashdodi. Related to “Ashdod” in v1. 5x in OT. From Ashdod (see note VII above). This is Ashdodite.
^XIV “rose early” = shakam. This is leaning one’s shoulder into a burden or load, whether a person or an animal. Thus, it meant starting or rising early.
^XV “next day” = mochorath. From the same as machar (tomorrow or later; deferred time; indefinitely or the time to come); perhaps from achar (to be behind, delay, be late, procrastinate, continue). This is the next day or next morning.

^XVI “there” = hinneh. From hen (lo! Behold! If, though; an expression of surprise). This is to draw attention, show suddenness or surprise, or to emphasize the importance of the coming statement. See! Lo! Behold!
^XVII “fallen” = naphal. This is to fall, whether by accident, to fall prostrate, or to fall in violent death. Figuratively, it can refer to personal ruin or calamity, a city falling, an attack or a falling away. It can also be a deep sleep or wasting away.
^XVIII “face” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
^XIX “ground” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.

^XX “before” = paneh. Same as “face” in v3. See note XVIII above.
^XXI “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
^XXII “put…back” = shub. To turn back, return, turn away – literally or figuratively. Doesn’t necessarily imply going back to where you started from. This is also the root verb for the Hebrew word for repentance “teshubah.”
^XXIII “place” = maqom. From qum (to arise, stand, accomplish, establish, abide; rising against, getting up after being sick or asleep, arising from one state to another, becoming powerful, or rising for action; standing in a figurative sense). This is a standing, which is to say a spot or space a place. It can also refer to a locality or a physical/mental condition. HaMaqom is also a Jewish name for God – the place, i.e. the Omnipresent One.

^XXIV “next morning” = mochorath. Same as “next day” in v3. See note XV above.
^XXV {untranslated} = hinneh. Same as “there” in v3. See note XVI above.
^XXVI “before” = paneh. Same as “face” in v3. See note XVIII above.
^XXVII “head” = rosh. This may come a word that means to shake. It is the head, captain, or chief. It can also be excellent or the forefront. It can be first in position or in statue or in time (i.e. the beginning).
^XXVIII “both” = shenayim. From sheni (double, again, another, second); from shanah (to fold, repeat, double, alter, or disguise). This is two, both, second, couple.

^XXIX “hands” = kaph + yad. Kaph is from kaphaph (to bend – from a root meaning curve or bend down). This is palm of the hand or sole of the foot, footstep, grasp. Figuratively, it can also mean power. Yad is hand, ability, power. Hand in a literal sense, but also what one can do or the means by which one does it.
^XXX “cut off” = karat. This is to cut down, cut off, or make a covenant (idiom for making a covenant is “to cut a covenant”). It can also mean to destroy, fail, or consume.
^XXXI “threshold” = miphtan. 8x in OT. From the same as pethen (may come from a word – to twist; a venomous snake; maybe a cobra or adder). This is a threshold or sill.
^XXXII “only” = raq. From the same as raq (thin, surely, only); perhaps from raqaq (to spit). This is but, except, at least. In the sense of being thin, it figuratively refers to some kind of limit.
^XXXIII “was left” = shaar. Properly, this is swelling up i.e. being left over, a remnant, remaining, being redundant.

^XXXIV “this…why” = ken. Perhaps from kun (properly, in a perpendicular position; literally, to establish, fix, fasten, prepare; figuratively, it is certainty, to be firm, faithfulness, render sure or prosperous). This is to set upright. Generally used figuratively to mean thus, so, afterwards, rightly so.
^XXXV “priests” = kohen. This is literally the one who officiates i.e. the priest. This is where the Jewish last name “Cohen” (and its variants) comes from.
^XXXVI “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
^XXXVII “enter” = bo. Same as “brought” in v1. See note V above.
^XXXVIII “step” = darak. This is to tread, march, to walk. Can also mean affixing a string to a box since one needs to step on it to bend it in the process. So, also an archer.
^XXXIX “day” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.

^XL “hand” = yad. Same as “hands” in v4. See note XXIX above.
^XLI “was heavy” = kabad. To be heavy, weighty, or severe. It can also be positive abounding in, rich, or honorable. The Hebrew word for “glory,” kabod, is taken from this root.
^XLII “terrified” = shamem. This is to stun or become numb. It can also mean to devastate or be appalled. Can also mean to be amazed or astonished.
^XLIII “struck” = nakah. This is to hit whether lightly or severely. It can be used in a literal or figurative sense. So, this could be beat, punish, give wounds, kill, or slaughter.

^XLIV “tumors” = ophel. 9x in OT. From aphal (to swell, rise up, be elated). This is a fortified hill, a stronghold or fortress. It could also be a tumor, ulcer, or a mound. It is used of the tumors after the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Samuel 5.
^XLV “territory” = gebul. Perhaps from gabal (to border, twist like rope). This is boundary, limit, coast, space. Properly, it is a line that is twisted, which implies a boundary and, by extension, the boundaries of a territory or other enclosed space.
^XLVI “inhabitants” = enosh. From anash (to be weak, sick, or frail). This is human, humankind, another. It is mortal.
^XLVII “saw” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.

^XLVIII “things were” = ken. Same as “this…why” in v5. See note XXXIV above.
^XLIX “said” = amar. This is to speak, say, answer, command, promise, report.
^L “Israel” = Yisrael. Related to “God” in v1. From sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + El (see note IV above). This is Israel, meaning God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring. This refers to the people and to the land.
^LI “remain” = yashab. This is to sit and so to remain and so to dwell. It is sitting for any reason – as a judge, in order to ambush, or just sitting quietly. Causatively, this can mean settling or marrying. This can also mean continue, endure, or establish.

^LII “hand” = yad. Same as “hands” in v4. See note XXIX above.
^LIII “is heavy” = qashah. This is to be fierce, cruel, dense, tough, severe.
^LIV “god” = elohim. Same as “God” in v1. See note IV above.
^LV “sent” = shalach. This is to send out, away, send for, forsake. It can also mean to divorce or set a slave free.
^LVI “gathered together” = asaph. This is to gather, assemble, or bring. It can also mean to take away, destroy, or remove.
^LVII “lords” = seren. May be taken from the Philistine language. Literally, this is an axle. Figuratively, it is a lord. In some places, they are numbered as five lords – one for each of the Philistinian cities.
^LVIII “do” = asah. This is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses.

^LIX “Gath” = Gath. From the same as gath (wine press); {perhaps from nagan (to strike a stringed instrument, to pluck or play it)}. This is Gath, a Philistine city whose name means “wine press.” It shares a root with “Gethsemane.”
^LX “replied” = amar. Same as “said” in v7. See note XLIX above.
^LXI “moved on” = sabab. This is turning around, going around; to surround, cast, walk, fetch. It is to revolve or border in a literal or figurative sense.
^LXII {untranslated} = hayah. Related to “Lord” in v3. See note XXI above.
^LXIII “after” = achar. Related to “next day” in v3. See note XV above.
^LXIV “brought” = sabab. Same as “moved on” in v8. See note LXI above.

^LXV “hand” = yad. Same as “hands” in v4. See note XXIX above.
^LXVI “was” = hayah. Same as {untranslated} in v9. See note LXII above.
^LXVII “city” = iyr. From uwr (to awaken or wake oneself up). This can mean excitement in the sense of wakefulness or city. Properly, this is a place that is guarded. Guards kept schedules according to watches. This sense of the word would include cities as well as encampments or posts that were guarded.
^LXVIII “very” = meod. Perhaps from the same as uwd (firebrand, a poker). This is very, greatly, exceedingly. It can also mean vehemence, force, abundance.
^LXIX “great” = gadol. From gadal (to grow up, become great, become wealthy – to advance. The root meaning may be to twist in the sense of the process of growing). This is great, high, bigger, noble, old, marvelous. It can also refer to someone who is powerful or distinguished.
^LXX “panic” = mehumah. 12x in OT. From hum (to roar, murmur, cause an uproar, agitate, be distraught; to defeat in battle, destroy). This is panic, confusion, disturbance, trouble, or tumult.

^LXXI “inhabitants” = ish. Related to “inhabitants” in v7. Perhaps from enosh (see note XLVI above). This is man, husband, another, or humankind.
^LXXII “young” = qaton. From qut (to cut off, be grieved; figuratively to detest). This is small, young, least, not important. It could be a small quantity, size, age, or importance.
^LXXIII “old” = gadol. Same as “great” in v9. See note LXIX above.
^LXXIV “broke out” = sathar. This is to break out as something raised on the skin.

^LXXV “Ekron” = Eqron. From the same as eqer (stock, member, offshoot; figuratively, could be a descendant or someone who is transplanted like an immigrant who takes up permanent residence); from aqar (to uproot, pluck out, dig out by the roots, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate). This is Ekron, a city whose name may mean “extermination” or “uprooting” or “emigration.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Ekron.html
^LXXVI {untranslated} = hayah. Same as {untranslated} in v9. See note LXII above.
^LXXVII “came” = bo. Same as “brought” in v1. See note V above.

^LXXVIII “people of Ekron” = Eqroni. Related to “Ekron” in v10. 2x in OT. From Eqroni (see note LXXV above). This is someone from Ekron. See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Ekron.html
^LXXIX “cried out” = zaaq. This is to cry or call out. It can be a call to assemble or gather together. By analogy, this could refer to a herald who announces a public gathering. It could also be a shriek from pain or danger.
^LXXX {untranslated} = amar. Same as “said” in v7. See note XLIX above.
^LXXXI “brought around” = sabab. Same as “moved on” in v8. See note LXI above.
^LXXXII “kill” = mut. This is to die in a literal or figurative sense. It can also refer to being a dead body.
^LXXXIII “people” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.

^LXXXIV “lords” = seren. Same as “lords” in v8. See note LVII above.
^LXXXV “return” = shub. Same as “put…back” in v3. See note XXII above.
^LXXXVI “place” = maqom. Same as “place” in v3. See note XXIII above.
^LXXXVII “people” = am. Same as “people” in v10. See note LXXXIII above.

^LXXXVIII “deathly” = mavet. Related to “kill” in v10. From muth (see note LXXXII above). This can be death, deadliness, the dead, or the place where the dead go. It can be used figuratively for pestilence or ruin.
^LXXXIX “whole” = kol. Same as “all” in v5. See note XXXVI above.
^XC “hand” = yad. Same as “hands” in v4. See note XXIX above.
^XCI “was…heavy” = kabad. Same as “was heavy” in v6. See note XLI above.

^XCII “those” = ish. Same as “inhabitants” in v9. See note LXXI above.
^XCIII “die” = mut. Same as “kill” in v10. See note LXXXII above.
^XCIV “cry” = shavah. 11x in OT. From shava (crying or shouting aloud; seeking freedom from some kind of trouble). This is cry, cry for help.
^XCV “went up” = alah. This is to go up, approach, ascend, be high, be a priority; to arise in a literal or figurative sense.
^XCVI “heaven” = shamayim. Root may mean being lofty. This is sky, the air, or heaven. It is in a dual noun form so this might refer to the part of the sky where the clouds move on the one hand and the part beyond that where the sun, moon, and stars are on the other hand.