King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 6:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 6:17 in the King James Version says “And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, f... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

1 Samuel 6:17 · KJV


Context

15

And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.

16

And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

17

And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

18

And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. great: or, great stone

19

And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

The narrator provides an itemized account of the guilt offering, listing each city's contribution. The Hebrew 'asham' (trespass or guilt offering) terminology shows the Philistines understood their affliction as punishment requiring compensation. Five golden tumors represented the five cities - a symbolic acknowledgment that the plague had touched all of Philistia. The enumeration 'for Ashdod one, for Gaza one...' emphasizes corporate responsibility; each city bore guilt and each contributed to atonement. This pagan appropriation of Hebrew sacrificial concepts demonstrates how God's revelation influenced surrounding cultures while also showing the inadequacy of external forms without heart transformation. The Philistines offered gold but not themselves, substitutes but not surrender.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The five cities formed a confederation controlling the southern coastal plain. Ashdod hosted Dagon's primary temple; Gaza was the southernmost city; Ashkelon possessed a major seaport; Gath was the inland agricultural center; Ekron lay nearest Israelite territory. Each city's golden tumor acknowledged local experience of the plague.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Philistines' city-by-city acknowledgment of guilt teach about corporate responsibility for sin?
  2. How do people today offer religious substitutes rather than genuine heart surrender?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙1 of 18
H428

these or those

טְחֹרֵ֣י2 of 18

emerods

H2914

a boil or ulcer (from the inflammation), especially a tumor in the anus or pudenda (the piles)

הַזָּהָ֔ב3 of 18

And these are the golden

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵשִׁ֧יבוּ5 of 18

returned

H7725

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

פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים6 of 18

which the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אָשָׁ֖ם7 of 18

for a trespass offering

H817

guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

לַֽיהוָ֑ה8 of 18

unto the LORD

H3068

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

לְאַשְׁדּ֨וֹד9 of 18

for Ashdod

H795

ashdod, a place in palestine

אֶחָֽד׃10 of 18

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְעַזָּ֤ה11 of 18

for Gaza

H5804

azzah, a place in palestine

אֶחָֽד׃12 of 18

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְאַשְׁקְל֣וֹן13 of 18

for Askelon

H831

ashkelon, a place in palestine

אֶחָֽד׃14 of 18

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְגַ֥ת15 of 18

for Gath

H1661

gath, a philistine city

אֶחָֽד׃16 of 18

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְעֶקְר֥וֹן17 of 18

for Ekron

H6138

ekron, a place in palestine

אֶחָֽד׃18 of 18

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first


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 6:17 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 6:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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