King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 5:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 5:4 in the King James Version says “And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 5:4 · KJV


Context

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.

6

But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods , even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The second morning brings intensified humiliation: Dagon falls again, now with 'head...and both the palms of his hands cut off upon the threshold.' Only 'the stump of Dagon' (literally 'only Dagon') remains - the fish-body portion if Dagon was fish-shaped, or simply a mutilated torso. The severing of head and hands represents complete incapacitation: no wisdom (head) and no power (hands). Dagon cannot think or act. The threshold - the temple's entrance point - becomes a place of permanent shame.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The specific mutilation of head and hands echoes ancient Near Eastern practices of humiliating conquered enemies. Warriors' heads and hands were often severed and displayed. Applying this treatment to Dagon demonstrates his complete defeat by Yahweh.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the significance of Dagon losing his head and hands specifically?
  2. How does this scene reverse Philistine expectations about who conquered whom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣מוּ1 of 23

And when they arose early

H7925

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

בַבֹּקֶר֮2 of 23

morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

מִֽמָּחֳרָת֒3 of 23

on the morrow

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וְהִנֵּ֣ה4 of 23
H2009

lo!

דָּג֖וֹן5 of 23

behold Dagon

H1712

dagon, a philistine deity

נֹפֵ֤ל6 of 23

was fallen

H5307

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

לִפְנֵ֖י7 of 23

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 23

to the ground

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לִפְנֵ֖י9 of 23

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 23

the ark

H727

a box

יְהוָ֑ה11 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

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

וְרֹ֨אשׁ12 of 23

and the head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

דָּג֖וֹן13 of 23

behold Dagon

H1712

dagon, a philistine deity

וּשְׁתֵּ֣י׀14 of 23

and both

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

כַּפּ֣וֹת15 of 23

the palms

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

יָדָ֗יו16 of 23

of his hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כְּרֻתוֹת֙17 of 23

were cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אֶל18 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמִּפְתָּ֔ן19 of 23

upon the threshold

H4670

a stretcher, i.e., a sill

רַ֥ק20 of 23
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

דָּג֖וֹן21 of 23

behold Dagon

H1712

dagon, a philistine deity

נִשְׁאַ֥ר22 of 23

was left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

עָלָֽיו׃23 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications


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 5:4 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 5:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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