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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 5:4 But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. 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His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the LORD again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/5.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/5.htm">New King James Version</a> And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the torso of Dagon was left. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on 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 on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on 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 on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But they arose early the next morning, and behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had [again] fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and his head and both palms of his hands were [lying] cut off on the threshold; only the trunk [portion] of [the idol of] Dagon was left on him. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. This time, Dagon’s head and both of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso remained. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. This time, both Dagon&#8217s head and the palms of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon&#8217s torso remained. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But early the next morning, it had fallen over again and was lying facedown on the floor in front of the chest. The body of the statue was still in one piece, but its head and both hands had broken off and were lying on the stone floor in the doorway. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 stump of Dagon was left to him. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But the next morning they saw that Dagon had [again] fallen forward on the ground in front of the LORD's ark. Dagon's head and his two hands were cut off [and were lying] on the temple's threshold. The rest of Dagon's body was intact. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Early the following morning they saw that the statue had again fallen down in front of the Covenant Box. This time its head and both its arms were broken off and were lying in the doorway; only the body was left. ( <a href="/isv/1_samuel/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> But when they got up the next morning, there was Dagon, lying on the ground again in front of the Ark of the LORD. Dagon's head and both of his arms were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left intact. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained. <a href="/net/1_samuel/5.htm">NET Bible</a> But when they got up early the following day, Dagon was again lying on the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and his two hands were sheared off and were lying at the threshold. Only Dagon's body was left intact. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And it came about when they arose early the next morning, look, Dagon had fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon?s torso was intact. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon had 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 threshhold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. <a href="/web/1_samuel/5.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they rise early in the morning on the next day, and behold, Dagon is fallen on its face to the earth, before the Ark of YHWH, and the head of Dagon, and the two palms of its hands are cut off at the threshold, only Dagon’s [body] has been left of him; <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they rise early in the morning on the morrow, and lo, Dagon is fallen on its face to the earth, before the ark of Jehovah, and the head of Dagon, and the two palms of its hands are cut off at the threshold, only the fishy part hath been left to him; <a href="/slt/1_samuel/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will rise early in the morning, and behold, Dagon fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of Jehovah: and the head of Dagon, and the two palms of his hands cut off upon the threshold; only Dagon was left upon him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the next day again, when they rose in the morning, they found Dagon lying upon his face on the earth before the ark of the Lord: and the head of Dagon, and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold: <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And again, on the next day, rising up in the morning, they found Dagon lying on his face upon the ground, before the ark of the Lord. But the head of Dagon, and both palms of his hands had been cut off upon the threshold. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/5.htm">New American Bible</a> But early the next morning, when they arose, Dagon lay face down on the ground before the ark of the LORD, his head and hands broken off and lying on the threshold, his trunk alone intact. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But when they rose early on the next morning, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off upon the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they arose at dawn the next day, and behold, Dagun was cast on his face on the ground before the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH, and the head of Dagun and both palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold of the door, and the body of Dagun remained<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass when they rose early in the morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off each before the threshold, and both the wrists of his hands had fallen on the floor of the porch; only the stump of Dagon was left. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/5-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1238" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/5.htm">The Ark Afflicts the Philistines</a> …3When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. 4<a href="/hebrew/7925.htm" title="7925: way·yaš·ki·mū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; but used only as denominative from shkem; literally, to load up, i.e. To start early in the morning.">But when they got up early</a> <a href="/hebrew/4283.htm" title="4283: mim·mā·ḥo·rāṯ (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- The morrow. Or mochoratham; feminine from the same as machar; the morrow or tomorrow.">the next</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: ḇab·bō·qer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">morning,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">there</a> <a href="/hebrew/1712.htm" title="1712: ḏā·ḡō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A god and an idol of the Philistines. From dag; the fish-god; Dagon, a Philistine deity.">was Dagon,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: nō·p̄êl (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">fallen</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">on his face</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’ar·ṣāh (N-fs:: 3fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: ’ă·rō·wn (N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">the ark</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/7218.htm" title="7218: wə·rōš (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">with his head</a> <a href="/hebrew/1712.htm" title="1712: dā·ḡō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A god and an idol of the Philistines. From dag; the fish-god; Dagon, a Philistine deity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·tê (Conj-w:: Number-fdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: kap·pō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏāw (N-fdc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">his hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: kə·ru·ṯō·wṯ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fp) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">broken off</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">and lying on</a> <a href="/hebrew/4670.htm" title="4670: ham·mip̄·tān (Art:: N-ms) -- Threshold. From the same as pethen; a stretcher, i.e. A sill.">the threshold.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">Only</a> <a href="/hebrew/1712.htm" title="1712: dā·ḡō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A god and an idol of the Philistines. From dag; the fish-god; Dagon, a Philistine deity.">the torso</a> <a href="/hebrew/7604.htm" title="7604: niš·’ar (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To remain, be left over. A primitive root; properly, to swell up, i.e. Be redundant.">remained.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> 5That 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Isaiah 46:1-2</a> Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. / The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity. <a href="/jeremiah/50-2.htm">Jeremiah 50:2</a> “Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’ <a href="/jeremiah/51-44.htm">Jeremiah 51:44</a> I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall. <a href="/judges/16-23.htm">Judges 16:23-24</a> Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.” / And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy who destroyed our land and multiplied our dead.” <a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26-29</a> And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ... <a href="/2_kings/19-37.htm">2 Kings 19:37</a> One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place. <a href="/isaiah/37-38.htm">Isaiah 37:38</a> One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place. <a href="/daniel/5-1.htm">Daniel 5:1-4</a> Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. / Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. ... <a href="/daniel/5-23.htm">Daniel 5:23</a> Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways. <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a> Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ... <a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a> The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ... <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a> All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ... <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Isaiah 45:20</a> Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save. <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a> Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. <a href="/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen on 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 on the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.the head<a href="/isaiah/2-18.htm">Isaiah 2:18,19</a> And the idols he shall utterly abolish… <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a> By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.<a href="/jeremiah/10-11.htm">Jeremiah 10:11</a> Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.<a href="/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4</a> 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.the stump.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-33.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Dagon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Early</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Morrow</a> <a href="/judges/3-13.htm">Palms</a> <a href="/daniel/4-26.htm">Stump</a> <a href="/judges/19-27.htm">Threshhold</a> <a href="/judges/19-27.htm">Threshold</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/5-7.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-7.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">Dagon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-26.htm">Early</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-14.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-8.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-19.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-16.htm">Morrow</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-35.htm">Palms</a> <a href="/job/14-8.htm">Stump</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">Threshhold</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">Threshold</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 5</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">The Philistines having brought the ark into Ashdod, set it in the house Dagon</a> 3. <a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm">Dagon is smitten down and cut and cut in pieces, </a> 5. <a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">and they of Ashdod smitten with tumors</a> 8. <a href="/1_samuel/5-8.htm">So God deals with them of Gath, when it was brought thither</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/5-10.htm">and so with them of Ekron, when it was brought thither</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>But when they got up early the next morning This phrase indicates the Philistines' eagerness to check on their god, Dagon, after the previous day's events. In ancient cultures, early morning was often a time for religious rituals and checking on sacred spaces. The Philistines, having captured the Ark of the Covenant, were likely anxious to see the outcome of placing it in Dagon's temple.there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD The image of Dagon fallen prostrate before the Ark symbolizes the superiority of the God of Israel over the Philistine deity. In ancient Near Eastern culture, falling on one's face was a sign of submission or defeat. This act foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God over false idols, a theme echoed in passages like <a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Isaiah 45:23</a>, where every knee shall bow to God.with his head and his hands broken off The breaking of Dagon's head and hands signifies the complete powerlessness and defeat of the idol. In ancient warfare, decapitation and the removal of hands were often symbolic of total conquest. This imagery is reminiscent of the fate of Goliath, whose head was cut off by David (<a href="/1_samuel/17-51.htm">1 Samuel 17:51</a>), further emphasizing God's victory over His enemies.and lying on the threshold The threshold of a temple was considered a sacred boundary. The fact that Dagon's head and hands were found there could symbolize the desecration of the Philistine temple and the impotence of their god. This event may have led to the Philistine practice of not stepping on the threshold, as mentioned in <a href="/zephaniah/1-9.htm">Zephaniah 1:9</a>.Only the torso remained The remaining torso of Dagon highlights the futility of idol worship. In biblical theology, idols are often depicted as lifeless and powerless (<a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>). This incident serves as a stark reminder of the living God's supremacy over man-made images, reinforcing the call to worship Him alone.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/dagon.htm">Dagon</a> A Philistine deity, often associated with fertility and grain. The idol of Dagon was housed in a temple in Ashdod. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ark_of_the_lord.htm">Ark of the LORD</a> The sacred chest representing the presence and covenant of God with Israel, containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments. 3. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> A group of people who were enemies of Israel and captured the Ark of the Covenant in battle. 4. <a href="/topical/a/ashdod.htm">Ashdod</a> A Philistine city where the temple of Dagon was located and where the Ark was brought after being captured. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_fall_of_dagon.htm">The Fall of Dagon</a> A miraculous event where the idol of Dagon fell before the Ark, symbolizing the superiority of the God of Israel over the Philistine god.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_supremacy_over_idols.htm">God's Supremacy Over Idols</a> The fall of Dagon illustrates that no idol or false god can stand before the true God. Believers are reminded to examine their lives for modern-day idols that may take precedence over their relationship with God. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_presence.htm">The Power of God's Presence</a> The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people. This event encourages believers to seek and honor God's presence in their lives, knowing that His power can overcome any opposition. <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_false_worship.htm">The Futility of False Worship</a> The broken idol of Dagon serves as a warning against the futility of worshiping anything other than God. It challenges believers to ensure their worship is directed solely towards the Creator. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_adversity.htm">God's Sovereignty in Adversity</a> Even when the Ark was captured, God demonstrated His sovereignty by causing Dagon to fall. This teaches that God is in control, even in situations that seem dire or hopeless.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 5</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_philistines_capturing_ark.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence to support the Philistines' capture of the Ark in 1 Samuel 4?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_ark's_power_fit_science.htm">How does the apparent supernatural element of the Ark in 1 Samuel 4 fit with modern scientific understanding?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_philistine_records_of_dagon_event.htm">1 Samuel 5 - Why don't contemporary Philistine records mention any catastrophe involving Dagon's temple or widespread plagues?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_god_shake_temple_thresholds.htm">Amos 9:1 – How can God physically shake temple thresholds in a way that targets specific people without natural explanations?</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>(4) When they arose early on the morrow.--Strange to say, on the next day a new and startling circumstance aroused and disturbed the exultant Philistines. The idol was again fallen, but this time broken. No mere accident could account for what had happened. The head and hands were severed from the image, and thrown contemptuously on the threshold of the temple, upon which the foot of every priest or worshipper as he passed into the sacred house must tread.Only the stump of Dagon.--The Hebrew, rendered literally, would run, only Dagon was left to him: that is to say, only "the fish," the least noble part of the idol image, was left standing; the human head and hands were tossed down for men as they passed in to trample on; "only the form of a fish was left in him."--R. D. Kimchi. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/5-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But when they got up early וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣מוּ (way·yaš·ki·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7925.htm">Strong's 7925: </a> To load up, to start early in the morning the next מִֽמָּחֳרָת֒ (mim·mā·ḥo·rāṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4283.htm">Strong's 4283: </a> The morrow, tomorrow morning, בַבֹּקֶר֮ (ḇab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> Dawn, morning there וְהִנֵּ֣ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! was Dagon, דָג֗וֹן (ḏā·ḡō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1712.htm">Strong's 1712: </a> Dagon -- a god and an idol of the Philistines fallen נֹפֵ֤ל (nō·p̄êl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> To fall, lie on his face לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face before לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the ark אֲר֣וֹן (’ă·rō·wn) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> A chest, ark of the LORD, יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel with his head וְרֹ֨אשׁ (wə·rōš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head [and] כַּפּ֣וֹת (kap·pō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan his hands יָדָ֗יו (yā·ḏāw) Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand broken off כְּרֻתוֹת֙ (kə·ru·ṯō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant and lying on אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the threshold. הַמִּפְתָּ֔ן (ham·mip̄·tān) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4670.htm">Strong's 4670: </a> A stretcher, a sill Only רַ֥ק (raq) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless [the torso] דָּג֖וֹן (dā·ḡō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1712.htm">Strong's 1712: </a> Dagon -- a god and an idol of the Philistines remained. נִשְׁאַ֥ר (niš·’ar) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7604.htm">Strong's 7604: </a> To swell up, be, redundant <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/5-4.htm">1 Samuel 5:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-4.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 5:4 When they arose early on the next (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/5-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 5:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 5:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 5:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 5:5" /></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>