King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 6:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 6:4 in the King James Version says “Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods , a... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods , and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. you: Heb. them

1 Samuel 6:4 · KJV


Context

2

And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.

3

And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

4

Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods , and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. you: Heb. them

5

Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods , and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

6

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? wonderfully: or, reproachfully the people: Heb. them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.

The Ark narrative reveals that God's presence cannot be manipulated through religious symbols or ritualistic practices. Israel's superstitious use of the Ark as a magical talisman demonstrated fundamental misunderstanding of covenant relationship. The Ark's capture and Israel's defeat prove that external religious forms without heart transformation provide no protection from judgment. Yet even in captivity, the Ark demonstrates Yahweh's supremacy—Dagon falls, plagues strike, and the Philistines recognize a power they cannot control or domesticate.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Philistines, part of the 'Sea Peoples' who settled the coastal plain around 1200 BCE, possessed superior iron technology and organized military forces. Their pentapolis (five major cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) controlled coastal trade routes and threatened Israelite settlements in the hill country. The Philistine threat created the political pressure that would eventually lead to Israel's demand for centralized monarchy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ1 of 21

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֣ה2 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הָֽאָשָׁם֮3 of 21

they What shall be the trespass offering

H817

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 21
H834

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

נָשִׁ֣יב5 of 21

which we shall return

H7725

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

לוֹ֒6 of 21
H0
וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ7 of 21

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִסְפַּר֙8 of 21

according to the number

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

וּלְסַרְנֵיכֶֽם׃9 of 21

of the lords

H5633

an axle

פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים10 of 21

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַֽחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה11 of 21

Five

H2568

five

עְפֹלֵ֣י12 of 21
H6076

a tumor

זָהָ֑ב13 of 21

golden

H2091

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

וַֽחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה14 of 21

Five

H2568

five

עַכְבְּרֵ֣י15 of 21

mice

H5909

a mouse (as nibbling)

זָהָ֑ב16 of 21

golden

H2091

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

כִּֽי17 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מַגֵּפָ֥ה18 of 21

plague

H4046

a pestilence; by analogy, defeat

אַחַ֛ת19 of 21

for one

H259

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

לְכֻלָּ֖ם20 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וּלְסַרְנֵיכֶֽם׃21 of 21

of the lords

H5633

an axle


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 6:4 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 6:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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