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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 5:6 Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/5-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/09_1Sa_05_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 5:6 - The Ark Afflicts the Philistines" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD’s heavy hand struck the people of Ashdod and the nearby villages with a plague of tumors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The hand of the LORD was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, <i>even</i> Ashdod and the coasts thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ravaged them and struck them with tumors, <i>both</i> Ashdod and its territory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the Ashdodites, and He made them feel devastated and struck them with tumors, <i>both</i> Ashdod and its territories.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the Ashdodites, and He ravaged them and smote them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the Ashdodites, and He ravaged them and smote them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now the hand of Yahweh was glorious against the Ashdodites, and He made them desolate and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He caused them to be dumbfounded and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod. He terrified the people of Ashdod and its territory and afflicted them with tumors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD&#8217s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, terrorizing and afflicting the people of Ashdod and its territory with tumors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But the hand of Jehovah was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with tumors, even Ashdod and the borders thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD caused a lot of trouble for the people of Ashdod and their neighbors. He made sores break out all over their bodies, and everyone was in a panic. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with tumours, even Ashdod and the borders thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD dealt harshly with the people of Ashdod. He destroyed them by striking the people in the vicinity of Ashdod with tumors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD punished the people of Ashdod severely and terrified them. He punished them and the people in the surrounding territory by causing them to have tumors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD heavily oppressed the people of Ashdod, devastating and afflicting Ashdod and its territories with tumors of the groin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD attacked the residents of Ashdod severely, bringing devastation on them. He struck the people of both Ashdod and the surrounding area with sores.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But the hand of the LORD was heavy on the Ashdodites, and he ravaged them and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. And he brought up against them mice, and they burst out in their ships, and mice sprang up in the midst of their land, and there was a great terror of death in the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod, and its borders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the hand of YHWH is heavy on the Ashdodites, and He makes them desolate, and strikes them with lumps, Ashdod and its borders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the hand of Jehovah is heavy on the Ashdodites, and He maketh them desolate, and smiteth them with emerods, Ashdod and its borders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the hand of Jehovah will be heavy upon the Ashdodites, and he will lay them waste and smite them with tumors, Ashdod and her bounds.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the hand of the Lord was heavy upon the Azotians, and he destroyed them, and afflicted Azotus and the coasts thereof with emerods. And in the villages and fields in the midst of that country, there came forth a multitude of mice, and there was the confusion of a great mortality in the city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now the hand of the Lord weighed heavily upon the Ashdodites, and he destroyed them. And he struck Ashdod and its borders at the inner part of the buttocks. And in the villages and fields, in the midst of that region, mice rose up and burst forth. And this caused a great tumult unto death in the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now the hand of the LORD weighed heavily on the people of Ashdod, ravaging them and afflicting the city and its vicinity with tumors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The hand of the LORD was heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and struck them with tumors, both in Ashdod and in its territory.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon the inhabitants of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and afflicted them with boils, both Ashdod and the territory thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the hand of LORD JEHOVAH was hard against the Ashdodites and was destroying them and striking them with tumors in Ashdod and its borders<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the hand of the Lord was heavy upon Azotus, and he brought evil upon them, and it burst out upon them into the ships, and mice sprang up in the midst of their country, and there was a great and indiscriminate mortality in the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1263" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/5.htm">The Ark Afflicts the Philistines</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and all who enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on the threshold. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yaḏ- (N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">Now the hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: wat·tiḵ·baḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">was heavy</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/796.htm" title="796: hā·’aš·dō·w·ḏîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- An inhab. of Ashdod. Patrial from 'Ashdowd; an Ashdodite or inhabitant of Asdod.">the people of Ashdod</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1366.htm" title="1366: gə·ḇū·le·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Border, boundary, territory. Or gbul; from gabal; properly, a cord, i.e. a boundary; by extens. The territory inclosed.">its vicinity,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8074.htm" title="8074: way·šim·mêm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To be desolated or appalled. A primitive root; to stun, i.e. Devastate or stupefy.">ravaging them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">and afflicting</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/6076.htm" title="6076: bå̄·ʿo·p̄å̄·līm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A tumor, a mound, fortress. From aphal; a tumor; also a mound, i.e. Fortress.">with tumors.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/795.htm" title="795: ’aš·dō·wḏ (N-proper-fs) -- A city of the Philistines. From shadad; ravager; Ashdod, a place in Palestine."></a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/9-3.htm">Exodus 9:3</a></span><br />then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-27.htm">Deuteronomy 28:27</a></span><br />The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors and scabs and itch from which you cannot be cured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-15.htm">Judges 2:15</a></span><br />Wherever Israel marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them to bring calamity, just as He had sworn to them. So they were greatly distressed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/6-4.htm">1 Samuel 6:4-5</a></span><br />“What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. / Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/6-11.htm">1 Samuel 6:11-12</a></span><br />Then they put the ark of the LORD on the cart, along with the chest containing the gold rats and the images of the tumors. / And the cows headed straight up the road toward Beth-shemesh, staying on that one highway and lowing as they went, never straying to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed behind them to the border of Beth-shemesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-13.htm">1 Samuel 7:13</a></span><br />So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped invading the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-15.htm">2 Samuel 24:15</a></span><br />So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35</a></span><br />And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-66.htm">Psalm 78:66</a></span><br />He beat back His foes; He put them to everlasting shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-16.htm">Isaiah 10:16</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/12-23.htm">Acts 12:23</a></span><br />Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18</a></span><br />The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-22.htm">1 Corinthians 10:22</a></span><br />Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a></span><br />What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the hand of the LORD was heavy on them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with tumors, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.</p><p class="hdg">the hand</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm">1 Samuel 5:7,11</a></b></br> And when the men of Ashdod saw that <i>it was</i> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/9-3.htm">Exodus 9:3</a></b></br> Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which <i>is</i> in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: <i>there shall be</i> a very grievous murrain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/32-4.htm">Psalm 32:4</a></b></br> For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.</p><p class="hdg">emerods</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">1 Samuel 5:9,11</a></b></br> And it was <i>so</i>, 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/6-5.htm">1 Samuel 6:5</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-27.htm">Deuteronomy 28:27</a></b></br> The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.</p><p class="hdg">thereof </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/6-4.htm">1 Samuel 6:4,5</a></b></br> Then said they, What <i>shall be</i> the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, <i>according to</i> the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague <i>was</i> on you all, and on your lords… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">Ashdod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Ashdodites</a> <a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Coasts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-1.htm">Country</a> <a href="/joshua/8-28.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/judges/21-17.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Devastation</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-35.htm">Disease</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-27.htm">Emerods</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-18.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-4.htm">Hemorrhoids</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-5.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-7.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">Ravaged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/judges/20-41.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/joshua/19-49.htm">Territories</a> <a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/ruth/2-14.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-27.htm">Tumors</a> <a href="/judges/11-33.htm">Vicinity</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/5-12.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm">Ashdod</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Ashdodites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-13.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-14.htm">Coasts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/psalms/12-5.htm">Devastation</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Disease</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Emerods</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Hemorrhoids</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-21.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Ravaged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-23.htm">Territories</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-8.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Tumors</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">Vicinity</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-18.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">The Philistines having brought the ark into Ashdod, set it in the house Dagon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Dagon is smitten down and cut and cut in pieces, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">and they of Ashdod smitten with tumors</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/5-8.htm">So God deals with them of Gath, when it was brought thither</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/5-10.htm">and so with them of Ekron, when it was brought thither</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity</b><br>The phrase "the hand of the LORD" signifies God's direct intervention and power. In biblical terms, God's "hand" often represents His authority and ability to execute judgment or deliverance (<a href="/exodus/9-3.htm">Exodus 9:3</a>, <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a>). Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities, located in the coastal region of what is now modern-day Israel. The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant, and this act of desecration led to divine retribution. The "vicinity" indicates that the impact of God's judgment extended beyond the city itself, affecting the surrounding areas. This demonstrates the widespread nature of God's power and the seriousness of the offense against Him.<p><b>ravaging them</b><br>The term "ravaging" suggests a severe and destructive impact. This can be understood as a form of divine punishment for the Philistines' disrespect towards the Ark, which symbolized God's presence among His people. The use of such a strong term underscores the intensity of the affliction and serves as a warning to those who oppose or dishonor God. This act of ravaging can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to protect His covenant and His people, even when they are not present to defend themselves.<p><b>and afflicting them with tumors</b><br>The affliction of "tumors" is a specific form of suffering imposed by God. The Hebrew term used here can also be translated as "boils" or "swellings," indicating a painful and humiliating condition. This affliction is reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt (<a href="/exodus/9-9.htm">Exodus 9:9-11</a>), where God used physical ailments to demonstrate His power and compel obedience. The tumors served as a tangible sign of God's displeasure and a call to repentance. Some scholars suggest a connection to bubonic plague, as the symptoms described align with historical accounts of such outbreaks. This affliction highlights the seriousness of defying God's holiness and the consequences of possessing the Ark without reverence.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and sovereignty over the Philistines by afflicting them.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/people_of_ashdod.htm">People of Ashdod</a></b><br>Inhabitants of one of the five major Philistine cities, who captured the Ark of the Covenant and experienced God's judgment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ashdod.htm">Ashdod</a></b><br>A Philistine city where the Ark of the Covenant was taken after being captured from the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ark_of_the_covenant.htm">The Ark of the Covenant</a></b><br>A sacred chest representing God's presence, captured by the Philistines in battle.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/tumors.htm">Tumors</a></b><br>Physical afflictions sent by God as a form of judgment upon the Philistines for possessing the Ark.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The passage highlights God's control over all nations, not just Israel. His power is not limited by geography or political boundaries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disrespecting_the_sacred.htm">The Consequences of Disrespecting the Sacred</a></b><br>The Philistines' capture of the Ark and subsequent affliction serve as a warning against treating holy things with contempt.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_judgment_and_mercy.htm">Divine Judgment and Mercy</a></b><br>While God’s hand was heavy upon the Philistines, His actions were also a call to recognize His authority and repent.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_presence_of_god.htm">The Presence of God</a></b><br>The Ark symbolizes God's presence, which brings blessing to those who honor it and judgment to those who do not.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_the_lord.htm">The Fear of the Lord</a></b><br>This event encourages believers to maintain a healthy reverence for God, recognizing His power and holiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/1_sam_5_6__scientific_basis_for_tumors.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 – Is there any scientific or medical basis for the tumors supposedly afflicting the Philistines? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_emerods_in_the_bible.htm">What are emerods in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_ark's_impact_on_philistines.htm">1 Samuel 5 – Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that the Ark’s presence caused such devastation in Philistine cities? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/reconcile_1_sam_6_19_death_toll,_proof.htm">How do we reconcile the differing accounts of the death toll (70 vs. 50,070) in 1 Samuel 6:19, and is there archaeological proof of such an event? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod.</span>--A painful and distressing sickness, in the form, perhaps, of tumours--(the word <span class= "ital">emerods </span>should be spelt <span class= "ital">hemorrhoids</span>)--broke out among the inhabitants of the Philistine city in which was situated the idol temple, where was placed the Ark of the Covenant. The LXX. has an addition to the Hebrew text here which speaks of a terrible land plague which, apparently from subsequent notices, visited Philistia in addition to the bodily sufferings here spoken of. The Greek Version adds to <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm" title="But the hand of the LORD was heavy on them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with tumors, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.">1Samuel 5:6</a> these words: "and mice were produced in the land, and there arose a great and deadly confusion in the city." In <a href="/1_samuel/6-4.htm" title="Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden tumors, 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.">1Samuel 6:4</a>, &c, among the expiatory offerings sent by the idolators to Israel to appease what they imagined the offended Hebrew God, "golden mice" are mentioned: "images of the mice that mar the land." The mouse, according to Herodotus and the testimony of hieroglyphics, was an old symbol of pestilence. The Greek translators, however, failing to understand the meaning of the offering of golden mice, added the words--apparently in accordance with a received tradition--by way of explanation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But the hand of Jehovah was heavy upon them of Ashdod.</span> <span class="accented">I.e.</span> his power and might were exercised in smiting them with severe plagues. A question here arises whether, as the Septuagint affirms, besides the scourge of emerods, their land was desolated by swarms of field mice. It is certain that they sent as votive offerings golden images of "the mice that mar the land" (<a href="/1_samuel/6-5.htm">1 Samuel 6:5</a>); but the translators of the Septuagint too often attempt to make all things easy by unauthorised additions, suggested by the context; and so probably here it was the wish to explain why mice were sent which made them add, "and mice were produced in the land." Really the mouse was a symbol of pestilence (Herod., 2:141), and appears as such in hieroglyphics; and by sending golden mice with golden emerods the lords of the Philistines expressed very clearly that the emerods had been epidemic. This word, more correctly spelt haemorrhoids, has this in its favour, that the noun used here, <span class="accented">ophalim</span>, is never read in the synagogue. Wherever the word occurs the reader was instructed to say <span class="accented">tehorim</span>, the vowels of which are actually attached to the consonants of <span class="accented">ophalim</span> in the text of our Hebrew Bibles. In <a href="/deuteronomy/28-27.htm">Deuteronomy 28:27</a>. <span class="accented">tehorim</span> is mentioned as one of the loathsome skin diseases of Egypt, and though rendered "emerods" in the A.V., is possibly, as translated by Aquila, "an eating ulcer." <span class="accented">Ophalim</span> need only mean <span class="accented">turnouts, swellings</span>, its original signification being "a hill" (<a href="/2_chronicles/27-3.htm">2 Chronicles 27:3</a>); yet as the word was not thought fit for public reading in the synagogue, we may feel sure that it means some such tumours as the A.V. describes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now the hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יַד־</span> <span class="translit">(yaḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was heavy</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּכְבַּ֧ד</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiḵ·baḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people of Ashdod</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאַשְׁדּוֹדִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’aš·dō·w·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_796.htm">Strong's 796: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashdodites -- an inhabitant of Ashdod</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and its vicinity,</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּבוּלֶֽיהָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(gə·ḇū·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1366.htm">Strong's 1366: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ravaging them</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְשִׁמֵּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(way·šim·mêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8074.htm">Strong's 8074: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stun, devastate, stupefy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and afflicting</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֤ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹתָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with tumors.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּטְּחֹרִ֔ים‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(baṭ·ṭə·ḥō·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6076.htm">Strong's 6076: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tumor, a mound, fortress</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/5-6.htm">1 Samuel 5:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 5:6 But the hand of Yahweh was heavy (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 5:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 5:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 5:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 5:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>