1 Samuel 6 17

1 Samuel 6:17 kjv

And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

1 Samuel 6:17 nkjv

These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned as a trespass offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron;

1 Samuel 6:17 niv

These are the gold tumors the Philistines sent as a guilt offering to the LORD?one each for Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron.

1 Samuel 6:17 esv

These are the golden tumors that the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron,

1 Samuel 6:17 nlt

The five gold tumors sent by the Philistines as a guilt offering to the LORD were gifts from the rulers of Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.

1 Samuel 6 verses

1 Samuel 6 17 Meaning

This verse details the specific elements of the guilt offering presented by the Philistines to the LORD, specifying the five golden tumors and linking each to one of their five primary cities. It signifies their reluctant acknowledgment of YHWH's sovereign power as the cause of their devastating plague. The "golden tumors" are not just symbolic; they are a direct confession of the affliction sent by God and an attempt to atone for their transgression of capturing the Ark.

1 Samuel 6 17 Context

The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 4), believing it would give them power. However, instead of victory, the Ark brought divine judgment upon their cities (1 Sam 5). Dagon, their chief god, was twice humiliated before the Ark in Ashdod (1 Sam 5:2-5), and severe plagues—tumors and mice—afflicted the inhabitants (1 Sam 5:6, 9, 12). Recognizing the cause of their suffering, the Philistine priests and diviners advised returning the Ark with a "guilt offering" (1 Sam 6:3-4). This verse details that specific offering, a form of tribute and appeasement, forced by the overwhelming power of YHWH. The subsequent events (1 Sam 6:18) indicate they also sent the five golden mice along with these tumors.

1 Samuel 6 17 Word analysis

• And these are: (We'ēlleh) Connects this verse to the preceding counsel, presenting the immediate fulfillment or detailing of the recommended offering. It prepares the reader for an inventory.
• the golden: (ha-zahab) Hebrew adjective. Gold signifies value, preciousness, and durability. By offering objects of gold, the Philistines are demonstrating the perceived importance and seriousness of their offering. It suggests a high-value tribute meant to truly appease or satisfy the offended deity. It's a significant expenditure, indicating the extent of their desperation and suffering.
• tumors: (ṭeḥōrîm) Plural of ṭeḥôr. This Hebrew word is widely understood as "hemorrhoids" but in this plague context, given its severity and association with mice, scholars often interpret it as boils, swellings, or buboes, consistent with bubonic plague symptoms. The golden models directly symbolize the physical manifestation of God's judgment upon them, an undeniable evidence of His hand. They are offering the very image of their pain back to its source, acknowledging its divine origin.
• which the Philistines: (ʾăšer Pĕlištîm) Directly names the affected people, emphasizing that the judgment and the consequent offering came from the dominant enemy of Israel. It highlights YHWH's ability to humble His foes.
• returned: (hēšîbû) Hiphil verb from šûb, meaning "to turn back, restore, bring back." This implies not just a simple giving, but a restitution, an act of undoing or making amends for their transgression. They were returning what rightfully belonged to YHWH, alongside an offering for the trouble they had caused.
• as a trespass offering: (ʾāšām) A technical term from Israelite sacrificial law. The "guilt offering" or "trespass offering" was required for specific offenses, often involving sacrilege, damage to holy things, or fraud. By demanding this, the God of Israel is signaling that the Philistines are guilty of an offense that requires restitution, essentially treating them as having committed a transgression against the holiness of YHWH and His Ark. This choice of offering type is a divine commentary on their actions.
• to the LORD: (lYĕhôwih) Explicitly states the recipient. This is a monumental acknowledgment from a pagan nation that they are dealing with the true God, not merely a tribal deity. It highlights the uniqueness and supremacy of YHWH over Dagon and their pantheon, whom they had first consulted.
• for Ashdod, one; for Gaza, one; for Ashkelon, one; for Gath, one; for Ekron, one: This lists the five primary Philistine city-states (the Philistine Pentapolis). The one-to-one correspondence for each city signifies a comprehensive and corporate acknowledgment of guilt and suffering from the entirety of the Philistine power structure. Each city experienced the plague and thus contributed to the collective appeasement. This indicates the widespread and inescapable nature of God's judgment across their entire nation.

1 Samuel 6 17 Bonus section

The Philistines' use of "golden tumors" and "golden mice" for their guilt offering aligns with common Ancient Near Eastern votive practices where images of afflictions were offered to deities, often in hope of healing or to express gratitude. However, here, it is specifically directed towards YHWH as an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and punitive action, forced upon them by His hand rather than originating from their faith. This serves as a stark contrast and a powerful polemic against the impotence of their god Dagon who fell prostrate and was dismembered before the Ark (1 Sam 5:3-5). The story beautifully demonstrates that God defends His own honor and sacred items without relying on human armies, instead using natural phenomena (plague, mice) and the fear of His Name to compel even the proudest of His adversaries. The event showcases a self-delivering God.

1 Samuel 6 17 Commentary

1 Samuel 6:17 presents a pivotal moment of forced confession by the Philistines. Faced with overwhelming divine judgment in the form of tumors, they—advised by their own pagan diviners—chose to imitate an Israelite ritual of atonement by presenting golden replicas of their affliction. This was not a true conversion to YHWH worship, but a desperate act of propitiation, demonstrating that even a foreign, hostile power could not withstand the might of the God of Israel. The detailed list of the five cities underscores the extensive reach and effectiveness of God's judgment and the corporate nature of the Philistines' suffering and reluctant offering. It highlights YHWH's absolute sovereignty, compelling even His enemies to acknowledge His power and righteousness.