1 Samuel 4:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →She names the child Ichabod, 'the glory is departed,' mourning the ark's loss and the deaths of her father-in-law and husband.
What Does 1 Samuel 4:21 Mean?
With her last strength she names the child Ichabod, a name meaning 'no glory' or 'where is the glory?' Her explanation gathers up the whole chapter's sorrow: the glory has departed from Israel because the ark was taken, and because her father-in-law and husband are dead. The newborn carries the lament of a nation in his very name.
The 'glory' she mourns is the visible token of God's dwelling presence, now seemingly gone from His people. Her cry is theologically profound: nothing matters more than whether God is among us. To lose His presence is to lose everything that makes Israel Israel. Yet the very longing in her grief points forward, for the God of glory has not abandoned His people. The story of Scripture moves toward the day when His glory returns and dwells among us in fullness, never to depart again.
1 Samuel 4:21 in the Original Language
Ikavod (אִיכָבוֹד), 'Ichabod' -- a name meaning 'no glory' or 'where is the glory,' marking the departure of God's presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 4:21
What does 1 Samuel 4:21 mean?
She names the child Ichabod, 'the glory is departed,' mourning the ark's loss and the deaths of her father-in-law and husband.