Back to 1 Samuel 5

1 Samuel 5:1-12

Now the Philistines had taken God’s ark, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. The Philistines took God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. When the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark. They took Dagon and set him in his place again. When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. But Yahweh’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.

When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us, for his hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god.” They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath.” They carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great, so that tumors broke out on them. So they sent God’s ark to Ekron. As God’s ark came to Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel here to us, to kill us and our people.”

They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly panic throughout all the city. The hand of God was very heavy there. The men who didn’t die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Now the Philistines had taken God’s ark, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

    The Philistines took God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.

    When the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark. They took Dagon and set him in his place again.

    When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.

    Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

    But Yahweh’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.

    When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us, for his hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god.”

    They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath.” They carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

    It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great, so that tumors broke out on them.

    So they sent God’s ark to Ekron. As God’s ark came to Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel here to us, to kill us and our people.”

    They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly panic throughout all the city. The hand of God was very heavy there.

    The men who didn’t die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

  • KJV King James Version

    And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod.

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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.

    They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.

    And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.

    Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.

    So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

    And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God, and they brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod.

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

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

    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 lay cut off upon the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.

    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.

    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 borders thereof.

    And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said: 'The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us; for His hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.'

    They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said: 'What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?' And they answered: 'Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath.' And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.

    And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great discomfiture; and He smote the men of the city, both small and great, and emerods broke out upon them.

    So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying: 'They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.'

    They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said: 'Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go back to its own place, that it slay us not, and our people'; for there was a deadly discomfiture throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

    And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

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Cross-references (92)

  • Isaiah 19:1 (v3) The burden of Egypt. “Behold, Yahweh rides on a swift cloud, and comes to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence; and the…
  • 1 Samuel 5:11 (vv6, 8, 9) They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away, and let…
  • 1 Samuel 5:6 (vv9, 11) But Yahweh’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.
  • Isaiah 46:1-2 (v3) Bel bows down. Nebo stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around are heavy loads, a…
  • Zephaniah 1:9 (v5) In that day, I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, who fill their master’s house with violence and deceit.
Show all 86 cross-references
  • Exodus 9:3 (v6) behold, Yahweh’s hand is on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the…
  • Deuteronomy 2:15 (v9) Moreover Yahweh’s hand was against them, to destroy them from the middle of the camp, until they were consumed.
  • Deuteronomy 28:27 (v6) Yahweh will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with the tumors, with the scurvy, and with the itch, of which you can not be healed.
  • 1 Samuel 7:13 (v9) So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped coming within the border of Israel. Yahweh’s hand was against the Philistines all the…
  • Psalms 32:4 (v6) For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer.
  • Micah 1:7 (v4) All her idols will be beaten to pieces, and all her temple gifts will be burned with fire, and all her images I will destroy; for of the…
  • Acts 13:11 (v6) Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist and darkness fell…
  • Exodus 12:30 (v12) Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a…
  • Exodus 12:33 (v7) The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.”
  • Judges 16:23 (v2) The lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said, “Our god has…
  • 1 Samuel 7:12 (v1) Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until now.”
  • 1 Samuel 12:15 (v9) But if you will not listen to Yahweh’s voice, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then Yahweh’s hand will be against you, as it…
  • Isaiah 46:7 (v3) They bear it on their shoulder. They carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there. It cannot move from its place. Yes, one may…
  • Psalms 78:66 (vv6, 9) He struck his adversaries backward. He put them to a perpetual reproach.
  • 1 Samuel 4:1 (v1) The word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the…
  • 1 Samuel 5:7 (v6) When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us, for his hand is severe on us…
  • Amos 1:8 (v10) I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; and I will turn my hand against Ekron; and the…
  • Mark 3:11 (v3) The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, “You are the Son of God!”
  • Amos 5:19 (vv9, 12) As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; Or he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a snake bit him.
  • Joshua 13:3 (v1) from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords of the…
  • 1 Samuel 4:22 (v1) She said, “The glory has departed from Israel; for God’s ark has been taken.”
  • 1 Chronicles 10:10 (v2) They put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:13 (v7) For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God broke out in anger against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the…
  • Job 31:3 (v6) Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?
  • Psalms 115:4-7 (v5) Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see. They…
  • Isaiah 2:18-19 (v4) The idols shall utterly pass away. Men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of…
  • Jeremiah 10:11 (v4) “You shall say this to them: ‘The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth, and from under the…
  • Jeremiah 48:7 (v7) For, because you have trusted in your works and in your treasures, you also will be taken. Chemosh will go out into captivity, his priests…
  • Jeremiah 50:2 (v4) “Declare among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and don’t conceal: say, ‘Babylon has been taken, Bel is…
  • Daniel 5:2 (v2) Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded that the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the…
  • Daniel 5:23 (v2) but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords,…
  • Zephaniah 2:11 (v3) Yahweh will be awesome to them, for he will famish all the gods of the land. Men will worship him, everyone from his place, even all the…
  • Luke 10:18-20 (v3) He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions,…
  • 1 Samuel 6:4-5 (vv6, 9) Then they said, “What should the trespass offering be which we shall return to him?” They said, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice,…
  • Exodus 8:8 (v7) Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat Yahweh, that he take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let…
  • Exodus 8:28 (v7) Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the wilderness, only you shall not go very far away. Pray…
  • Exodus 9:28 (v7) Pray to Yahweh; for there has been enough of mighty thunderings and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”
  • Exodus 10:7 (v7) Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve Yahweh, their God. Don’t you…
  • Exodus 12:12 (v3) For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will…
  • Joshua 5:15 (v5) The prince of Yahweh’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.
  • Joshua 11:22 (v1) There were none of the Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, did some remain.
  • Joshua 15:45 (v10) Ekron, with its towns and its villages;
  • Judges 1:18 (v10) Also Judah took Gaza with its border, and Ashkelon with its border, and Ekron with its border.
  • 1 Samuel 4:8 (v7) Woe to us! Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with all kinds of…
  • 1 Samuel 4:11 (v1) God’s ark was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
  • 1 Samuel 4:17-18 (v1) He who brought the news answered, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. Your…
  • 1 Samuel 5:3-4 (v7) When the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark. They took…
  • 1 Samuel 5:8-9 (v11) They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?”…
  • 1 Samuel 5:9 (v6) It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of…
  • 1 Samuel 6:11 (v9) They put Yahweh’s ark on the cart, and the box with the golden mice and the images of their tumors.
  • 1 Samuel 6:20 (v7) The men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom shall he go up from us?”
  • 1 Samuel 9:16 (v12) “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel.…
  • 1 Samuel 17:4 (v8) A champion out of the camp of the Philistines named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span went out.
  • 2 Samuel 6:9 (v7) David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How could Yahweh’s ark come to me?”
  • 1 Kings 19:17 (v12) He who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
  • 2 Kings 1:2 (v10) Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper room that was in Samaria, and was sick. So he sent messengers, and said to them, “Go,…
  • 1 Chronicles 13:11-13 (v7) David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day. David was afraid of God…
  • Psalms 97:7 (v3) Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!
  • Psalms 135:15-18 (v5) The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they…
  • Isaiah 13:7-9 (v11) Therefore all hands will be feeble, and everyone’s heart will melt. They will be dismayed. Pangs and sorrows will seize them. They will be…
  • Isaiah 15:3-5 (v12) In their streets, they clothe themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly. Heshbon…
  • Isaiah 27:9 (v4) Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be forgiven, and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he makes all the stones of…
  • Isaiah 40:20 (v3) He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for…
  • Isaiah 41:7 (v3) So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smoothes with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering,…
  • Isaiah 44:17-20 (v3) The rest of it he makes into a god, even his engraved image. He bows down to it and worships, and prays to it, and says, “Deliver me; for…
  • Jeremiah 10:8 (v3) But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood.
  • Jeremiah 14:2 (v12) “Judah mourns, and its gates languish. They sit in black on the ground. The cry of Jerusalem goes up.
  • Jeremiah 25:34 (v12) Wail, you shepherds, and cry. Wallow in dust, you leader of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have fully…
  • Jeremiah 46:25 (v7) Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even…
  • Jeremiah 48:3 (v12) The sound of a cry from Horonaim, desolation and great destruction!
  • Jeremiah 48:42-44 (v11) Moab will be destroyed from being a people, because he has magnified himself against Yahweh. Terror, the pit, and the snare are on you,…
  • Ezekiel 6:4-6 (v4) Your altars will become desolate, and your incense altars will be broken. I will cast down your slain men before your idols. I will lay the…
  • Daniel 11:8 (v4) He will also carry their gods, with their molten images, and with their goodly vessels of silver and of gold, captive into Egypt. He will…
  • Amos 6:2 (v8) Go to Calneh, and see; and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. are they better than these kingdoms?…
  • Amos 9:1-4 (v9) I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and he said, “Strike the tops of the pillars, that the thresholds may shake; and break them in…
  • Habakkuk 1:11 (v2) Then he sweeps by like the wind, and goes on. He is indeed guilty, whose strength is his god.”
  • Habakkuk 1:16 (v2) Therefore he sacrifices to his net, and burns incense to his dragnet, because by them his life is luxurious, and his food is good.
  • Zechariah 12:3 (v8) It will happen in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be…
  • Acts 8:40 (v1) But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (v3) Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with…
  • Psalms 78:61 (v1) and delivered his strength into captivity, his glory into the adversary’s hand.

86 distinct cross-references across this passage (92 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (24 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 5, 8, 11 Which was one of the five principal cities of…

Which was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv1–12 1Sa 5:1 And the Philistines took the ark of…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Quest. Why were not they immediately killed, who touched…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On vv1, 6 Here is, I. The Philistines' triumph over the ark,…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv1–12 And the Philistines took the ark of God,.... Which…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 The Philistines carry the ark into the temple of…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 The Philistines set up the ark in the temple…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 1Sa 5:1. The Philistines took the ark of God…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv2, 5, 6, 8 They brought it into the house of Dagon (see…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 Azotus, one of the principal cities of the Philistines.…
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v1 III. The Ark and the Philistines. 1Sa_5:1 to 1Sa_7:1
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 the house of Dagon--Stately temples were erected in honor…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv1–11 THE ARK OF GOD AMONG THE PHILISTINES, 1Sa_5:1-12.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv1–12 Ch. 1Sa_5:1-12. Chastisement of the Philistines for the Removal…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11 (1) The Philistines took the ark of God.—The sacred…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 THE ARK OF GOD IN PHILISTIA (vers. 1-12).
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv1, 8, 12 And the Philistines took the ark of God and…
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v1 1Sa_5:1-12; 1Sa_6:1-21
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv1, 6 1Sa_5:1. “Ashdod.” One of the five Philistine satrapies, about…
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v1 The Ark among the Philistines
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v1 6. The Ark in the Hands of the Philistines…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv1, 8 The Ark in Ashdod.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 This word marks the beginning of a new part…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 5:1 Ebenezer: See study note on 4:1b. • Ashdod,…
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