King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 5:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 5:3 in the King James Version says “And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.”

1 Samuel 5:3 · KJV

Context

1

And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.

2

When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

3

And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

4

And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. the stump: or, the fishy part

5

Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

Read 1 Samuel 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Morning reveals Dagon's humiliation: 'fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD.' The idol that should have been victorious lies prostrate in worship position before the Ark. The Philistines' response - setting Dagon back up - shows persistent blindness. They restore their idol rather than acknowledging what the fall signifies. Human beings persistently prop up failing ideologies and idols rather than acknowledging the true God's supremacy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Cult statues were believed to be inhabited by the deity's presence. Dagon's fall would be deeply alarming to his worshippers, though they apparently attributed it to accident. The prostrate position specifically before the Ark suggests involuntary obeisance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Dagon's fall before the Ark demonstrate about the relative power of Yahweh and pagan gods?
  2. How do people today 'set up' fallen idols rather than acknowledging God's supremacy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֤מוּ1 of 17

“arose early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

אַשְׁדּוֹדִים֙2 of 17

“And when they of Ashdod”

H796

an ashdodite (often collectively) or inhabitant of asdod

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת3 of 17

“on the morrow”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וְהִנֵּ֣ה4 of 17
H2009

lo!

דָּג֔וֹן5 of 17

“Dagon”

H1712

dagon, a philistine deity

נֹפֵ֤ל6 of 17

“was fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לִפְנֵ֖י7 of 17

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אַ֔רְצָה8 of 17

“to the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לִפְנֵ֖י9 of 17

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲר֣וֹן10 of 17

“the ark”

H727

a box

יְהוָ֑ה11 of 17

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיִּקְחוּ֙12 of 17

“And they took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת13 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דָּג֔וֹן14 of 17

“Dagon”

H1712

dagon, a philistine deity

וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ15 of 17

“again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֹת֖וֹ16 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לִמְקוֹמֽוֹ׃17 of 17

“him in his place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 5:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 19:1Isaiah 46:1-2Isaiah 46:7Mark 3:11Zephaniah 2:11Luke 10:18-20

Places in This Verse

AshdodSettlement · Modern: Tel Ashdod · 31.76°N, 34.66°E21 verses across 10 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 5 →

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