Hebrew Word Study – Heretofore – Shaleshim – שִׁלְשֹֽׁם Shin Lamed Shin Mem 

I Samuel 4:7 “And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God comes into the camp and they said: Woe unto us! For there hath not been such a thing heretofore.”

“I’ve regained a little faith in those who say they represent a faith…I’ve finally met people that walk the walk.”  Sandra Bullock,

I find this verse very remarkable in that the Philistines declared that God had come into the camp of Israel. Yet, in verse 3 the people of Israel declared that “it” referring to the ark in its proper syntax, would save them.   The people of Israel said the ark would save them and the enemy, the Philistines, said “God” would save Israel.    You know, I think sometimes we Christians do not give the world enough credit.  There are occasions when they can see things that we just don’t see.

Many of you are familiar with the movie that has been out recently entitled “Blindside.”  It is the true story of a family that takes in a homeless teenager from the inner city of Memphis and becomes the legal guardian of Michael Oher who becomes a top NFL football player.  Not portrayed in the movie is the fact the family are strong evangelical Christians.  They are the kind of people who are mocked and ridiculed by Hollywood.   Sandra Bullock who plays the strong matriarch who fights for the rights of Michael Oher and helps him reach his potential could not help but speak only good and positive things about the woman that she portrays.  Of course, we all know what Sandra Bullock’s testimony is like. This worldly actress, although not quite on the wild side as most in Hollywood, who admits to no faith in God could not help but acknowledge and respect the faith of a “true believer.”  

Israel represented a faith, one that was feared and respected by the Philistines, yet as events unfolded, it was shown that they may have represented a true faith, but they had no faith, they did not walk the walk and were soundly defeated. 

That last phrase: “Woe to us for there has not been such a thing heretofore” is a very curious statement.  Every translation will render this phrase in a similar fashion.  Yet, literally, in the Hebrew it says: “Woe to us for she has not come as this yesterday three days.” What the duce does that mean?  

What is even more interesting is that the Philistines use a feminine pronoun to represent God. I doubt every Philistine said these words, and I am not sure if even one said these exact words. This was spoken not by a Philistine but by a composite of Philistines.   What we are reading is a composite of the sentiments of all the Philistines. There is no one translation to this phrase. The word “yesterday” is really an adverb that means before or “heretofore.”  The word “thing” or “three days” is shaleshim which has the idea of the third warrior or the ultimate warrior. They are basically saying they stand before the ultimate warrior.  The use of the feminine pronoun would bear this out because the ultimate warrior is a mother fighting to protect her young.   You don’t want to pick up a bear cup when mamma bear is around, you might be able to deal with pappa bear, but you don’t want to mess with mamma bear. Go near a nest of young birds and it will not be a daddy bird, but a mamma that takes after you, even though you are 50 times bigger than a mamma bird, she will take you on and I guarantee you will run.

This is how the Philistines saw the Hebrew God, as a mother protectively wrapping her young around her glaring at them: “You touch my little darling and you have to deal with Me.” The Philistines did not want to deal where “her.”  

Consider that next time you come up against your Philistine. Mamma bear is right behind you ready to claw that Philistine to shreds if he dare touches a hair on your head.

Please leave comments below

Hi there! Thank you for reading this Daily Word Study. Can I ask a favor? Share this Daily Word Study with your friends on Facebook and Twitter by clicking one of the icons below.

Thanks & Blessings, it means a lot to me!