King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 6:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 6:5 in the King James Version says “Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods , and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 6:5 · KJV


Context

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

7

Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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
וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶם֩1 of 21

Wherefore ye shall make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְצַלְמֵ֣י2 of 21

and images

H6754

a phantom, i.e., (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol

עְפֹלֵיכֶ֜ם3 of 21
H6076

a tumor

וְצַלְמֵ֣י4 of 21

and images

H6754

a phantom, i.e., (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol

עַכְבְּרֵיכֶ֗ם5 of 21

of your mice

H5909

a mouse (as nibbling)

הַמַּשְׁחִיתִם֙6 of 21

that mar

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

אֶת7 of 21
H853

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

אַרְצְכֶֽם׃8 of 21

and from off your land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּנְתַתֶּ֛ם9 of 21

and ye shall give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם10 of 21

from off you and from off your gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל11 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כָּב֑וֹד12 of 21

glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

אוּלַ֗י13 of 21
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יָקֵ֤ל14 of 21

peradventure he will lighten

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

אֶת15 of 21
H853

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

יָדוֹ֙16 of 21

his hand

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

מֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֔ם17 of 21
H5921

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

וּמֵעַ֥ל18 of 21
H5921

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם19 of 21

from off you and from off your gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וּמֵעַ֥ל20 of 21
H5921

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

אַרְצְכֶֽם׃21 of 21

and from off your land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 6:5 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 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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