17. Source Text: Hebrew (WLC) 1 Samuel 4:17:1 ⧉וַיַּ֨עַןvayaanand answered 1 Samuel 4:17:2 ⧉הַֽמְבַשֵּׂ֜רhamevasehrthe bearer of news or the messenger 1 Samuel 4:17:3 ⧉וַיֹּ֗אמֶרvayomerand said 1 Samuel 4:17:4 ⧉נָ֤סnashas fled 1 Samuel 4:17:5 ⧉יִשְׂרָאֵל֙yisraelIsrael 1 Samuel 4:17:6 ⧉לִפְנֵ֣יlifnebefore 1 Samuel 4:17:7 ⧉פְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםpelishtimthe Philistines 1 Samuel 4:17:8 ⧉וְגַ֛םvegamand also 1 Samuel 4:17:9 ⧉מַגֵּפָ֥הmaggefaa plague or a slaughter 1 Samuel 4:17:10 ⧉גְדוֹלָ֖הgedolagreat 1 Samuel 4:17:11 ⧉הָיְתָ֣הhaitahas been or happened 1 Samuel 4:17:12 ⧉בָעָ֑םvaamamong the people 1 Samuel 4:17:13 ⧉וְגַם־שְׁנֵ֨יvegamsheneand also the two of 1 Samuel 4:17:14 ⧉בָנֶ֜יךָvanekhayour sons 1 Samuel 4:17:15 ⧉מֵ֗תוּmetudied 1 Samuel 4:17:16 ⧉חָפְנִי֙khafniHophni 1 Samuel 4:17:17 ⧉וּפִ֣ינְחָ֔סufinkhasand Phinehas 1 Samuel 4:17:18 ⧉וַאֲר֥וֹןvaaronand the ark of 1 Samuel 4:17:19 ⧉הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhaelohimGod 1 Samuel 4:17:20 ⧉נִלְקָֽחָה׃פnilkakhawas taken |
17. Formal Translation And the messenger answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Moreover, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, have died, and the ark of God {Elohim, Divine Presence} has been taken.” |
17. Dynamic Translation The newsbearer replied, “Israel fled the Philistines, and the army suffered devastating losses. Both your sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and God’s ark {Elohim, Sacred Symbol} has been captured.” |