1 Samuel 5 3

1 Samuel 5:3 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 5:3 nkjv

And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again.

1 Samuel 5:3 niv

When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place.

1 Samuel 5:3 esv

And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place.

1 Samuel 5:3 nlt

But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the LORD! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again.

1 Samuel 5 verses

1 Samuel 5 3 Meaning

First Samuel chapter 5, verse 3 describes the miraculous event where the Philistines found their god, Dagon, fallen face down before the Ark of the Covenant in the temple in Ashdod. Despite being put back in place, this initial collapse serves as a direct, irrefutable display of the Lord's supreme authority over all false gods and idolatry. It signifies the true God's self-vindication and power, not requiring human intervention to defeat His adversaries, but rather demonstrating His majesty through supernatural acts.

1 Samuel 5 3 Context

The immediate context of 1 Samuel 5:3 follows the disastrous defeat of Israel by the Philistines and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 4). This was a consequence of Israel's spiritual decline and the wickedness of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who treated the Ark as a superstitious charm rather than the holy symbol of God's presence. The Philistines, having captured what they perceived as the god of Israel, brought the Ark into their most sacred temple, placing it beside Dagon, their national god, as a war trophy and a sign of their god's supposed superiority. The subsequent events, starting with Dagon's prostration, serve to dramatically assert Yahweh's real and absolute supremacy over all other deities, even in Philistine territory and amidst their victory. This demonstrates that God's power is not diminished by the Ark's capture; rather, His presence among the Philistines will prove disastrous for them, teaching them a profound lesson about His sovereignty.

1 Samuel 5 3 Word analysis

• When they of Ashdod (וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ אַשְׁדּוֹד): "Ashdod" (אַשְׁדּוֹד, Ashdod) was one of the five major Philistine cities, prominent and known for its worship of Dagon. The phrase "when they of Ashdod arose early" suggests their eagerness and habitual morning ritual of visiting the temple, expecting everything to be as it was, reinforcing the unexpected shock of Dagon's state. The swiftness of their discovery is emphasized.
• arose early (וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ): From the root שָׁכַם (shakam), meaning "to rise early, to bestir oneself." It implies an intentional, perhaps eager, visit to the temple, typical of devoted worshippers. Their early arrival amplifies the suddenness and shock of what they witnessed.
• on the morrow (מִמָּחֳרָת): Signifies the very next day after the Ark was placed in Dagon's temple. This immediate reaction from the divine side highlights the urgency of God's vindication of His glory and name.
• behold (וְהִנֵּה): An interjection often used to draw attention to something unexpected, surprising, or significant. It emphasizes the shock and awe of the Philistines as they discovered their idol's condition.
• Dagon (דָּגוֹן): The principal deity of the Philistines, often associated with grain (דָּגָן, dagan) or fish (דָּג, dag), representing fertility and prosperity. His physical humbling before the Ark is a direct polemic against his perceived power and a public disgrace to Philistine theology.
• was fallen (נָפַל): From the Hebrew root נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall, to lie prostrate." This is not a gentle tumble but a full, ignominious prostration. It implies an involuntary act of submission, demonstrating Dagon's complete powerlessness and forced homage before the Lord.
• upon his face (עַל פָּנָיו): Indicates a posture of abject submission or defeat, typical of an enemy surrendering or worshipping a superior power. Dagon is literally brought to his knees, face to the ground, before the Ark.
• to the earth (לָאָרֶץ): Emphasizes the completeness of the fall – from his exalted position down to the dust. It symbolizes the demotion and disgrace of the idol.
• before the ark (לִפְנֵי אֲרוֹן): This precise positioning is crucial. "Before" (לִפְנֵי, lifnei) denotes not merely proximity but being in the presence of or in subjection to. Dagon's prostration directly facing the Ark signifies homage and subjugation to the Lord, whose presence was represented by the Ark.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה): Explicitly names the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh, emphasizing that this is His act of judgment and self-revelation, not mere chance. This contrasts with "their god" referring to Dagon.
• and they took Dagon (וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת־דָּגוֹן): Despite the clear sign, the Philistines acted humanly, attempting to undo divine intervention. They "took" him, indicating a deliberate physical act of lifting and handling their god, unaware of the further humiliation awaiting.
• and set him up (וַיָּשִׁבוּ אֹתוֹ): From the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return, to restore." They physically restored Dagon to his original position, an act of defiance and a refusal to acknowledge the Lord's clear message. This human action immediately sets the stage for God's second, more emphatic, judgment.
• in his place again (אֶל־מְקוֹמוֹ): Reinstating the idol, perhaps believing it was an accident or a sacrilege by unknown hands. This act underscores their stubborn idolatry and provides a vivid illustration of human futility in the face of divine power.

1 Samuel 5 3 Bonus section

The repeated setting up of Dagon and his subsequent, more destructive fall (1 Sam 5:4) not only demonstrates divine judgment but also highlights the blindness and obstinacy of the Philistines in the face of incontrovertible evidence of Yahweh's superiority. Their continued worship of Dagon after witnessing his prostration emphasizes the deep hold of idolatry and religious tradition, which can prevent people from acknowledging the one true God, even when He acts overtly. This narrative foreshadows future confrontations where God will demonstrate His power against those who oppose Him and rely on false deities. It also underscores that true spiritual power comes from God's active presence, not from any physical artifact or human effort, even in instances where the Ark was misused by Israel (1 Sam 4).

1 Samuel 5 3 Commentary

The humbling of Dagon in 1 Samuel 5:3 is a pivotal moment that powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and His active presence among His enemies. It directly refutes the notion that Yahweh was defeated when His Ark was captured; instead, the Ark's presence served as an instrument of divine judgment against Philistine idolatry. Dagon, revered as the chief deity of Ashdod, was found prostrate, mimicking the posture of a vanquished foe or a worshiper. This was not a passive collapse but a divine declaration of supremacy. The precise detail of "upon his face" and "before the ark of the Lord" emphasizes Dagon's enforced submission to Yahweh. The Philistines' immediate, albeit futile, attempt to restore Dagon to his place highlights their deep-seated polytheism and their refusal to grasp the implications of God's act, setting the stage for an even more dramatic display of the Lord's power. This event serves as a foundational testament to the unique omnipotence of the God of Israel compared to the lifeless and powerless gods of the nations, revealing that God vindicates His own glory without human armies or defenses.