1 Samuel 6:4 kjv
Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, 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.
1 Samuel 6:4 nkjv
Then they said, "What is the trespass offering which we shall return to Him?" They answered, "Five golden tumors and five golden rats, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines. For the same plague was on all of you and on your lords.
1 Samuel 6:4 niv
The Philistines asked, "What guilt offering should we send to him?" They replied, "Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague has struck both you and your rulers.
1 Samuel 6:4 esv
And they said, "What is the guilt offering that 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 the same plague was on all of you and on your lords.
1 Samuel 6:4 nlt
"What sort of guilt offering should we send?" they asked. And they were told, "Since the plague has struck both you and your five rulers, make five gold tumors and five gold rats, just like those that have ravaged your land.
1 Samuel 6 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 5:15-16 | If anyone commits a trespass... he shall make restitution... | Law for trespass offering and restitution. |
| Lev 6:2-5 | If a person sins... concerning what was committed... he shall restore it... | Details of making restitution for a trespass. |
| Num 5:6-7 | If a man or woman commits any sin... they shall confess... and make restitution in full... | Confession and restitution for sin against God. |
| Deut 28:27 | The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, with scabs and itch... | Prophecy of divine judgment through plagues. |
| 1 Sam 5:6 | The hand of the Lord was heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and He afflicted them and struck them with tumors... | The initial divine affliction on the Philistines. |
| 1 Sam 5:9 | After they had brought it about, the hand of the Lord was against the city... He struck them with tumors... | God's continued judgment with tumors. |
| 1 Sam 5:12 | Those who did not die were stricken with tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven. | Severity of the plague on the Philistine cities. |
| Exod 8:19 | Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." | Unbelievers acknowledging God's power. |
| Exod 9:27 | Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned..." | Pharaoh's confession of sin due to plague. |
| Exod 10:7 | Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go..." | Servants advising Pharaoh to yield to God. |
| Josh 7:1, 10-12 | But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things... "You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things..." | Corporate sin leading to corporate judgment. |
| 2 Sam 24:17 | David said to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking the people, "I have sinned..." | Collective suffering from individual sin, need for atonement. |
| Isa 66:17 | "Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, going into the gardens after one in the midst... who eat swine's flesh, abominable things, and mice..." | Reference to consuming unclean animals like mice. |
| Zech 5:3 | "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth... every thief shall be expelled... every perjurer shall be expelled..." | God's curse over the whole land for transgressions. |
| Rom 1:20-21 | For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen... so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God... | Gentile nations' accountability before God. |
| Psa 78:66 | He struck His adversaries in the rear; He put them to perpetual reproach. | God striking His enemies, though context is specific. |
| Psa 115:3-4 | But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold... | Contrast between God's power and powerless idols. |
| Hos 3:4-5 | Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God... | Israelites returning with offerings after judgment, mirroring Philistines' outward act. |
| Rev 9:20-21 | But the rest of mankind... did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver... | Future judgment and unrepentant idol worship. |
| Jon 3:5 | So the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth... | Pagan nation's collective repentance to the Lord. |
1 Samuel 6 verses
1 Samuel 6 4 Meaning
In this verse, the Philistine priests and diviners, acknowledging the afflictions sent by the Lord upon their land, advise their lords that they must offer a "trespass offering" to God to seek relief. They specify that this offering should consist of five golden models of the "emerods" (tumors/boils) that plagued them and five golden models of the "mice" (rats) that were linked to the plague, directly correlating the offering with the five major Philistine cities or lordships. This demonstrates their dawning recognition of the Israelite God's power and their attempt to appease Him through an act of symbolic restitution.
1 Samuel 6 4 Context
Following the Philistines' capture of the Ark of the Covenant, divine judgment fell upon their cities. The hand of the Lord brought severe tumors (‘ofalim) upon the people of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron, accompanied by a plague of mice (or rats). This was understood, even by the Philistines' own priests and diviners, to be a direct consequence of their keeping the sacred Ark. Chapter 6 opens with the Philistines seeking advice from their priests and diviners on how to deal with the Ark and alleviate their suffering. This specific verse, 1 Samuel 6:4, records the precise nature of the "trespass offering" (guilt offering) recommended by these pagan spiritual leaders—an offering meant to appease the God of Israel and avert further catastrophe. The chosen offering directly correlates to the afflictions they endured, demonstrating their acknowledgment of the Lord's specific judgments.
1 Samuel 6 4 Word analysis
Then said they, (וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלּוּ) - Refers to the Philistine priests and diviners mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Sam 6:2), who were consulted by the Philistine lords. It emphasizes that this counsel comes from their own spiritual authorities.
What shall be the trespass offering (מָה אָשָׁם) -
- trespass offering (אָשָׁם, asham): This Hebrew term specifically denotes a "guilt offering" or "restitution offering" within Israelite law (Lev 5-6; Num 5). It's distinct from other sacrifices like sin offerings (chattat) or burnt offerings (olah). An asham was typically offered when there was an unintentional violation of God's holy things, or damage/wrong committed against another person requiring restitution, plus a fifth more. The Philistines, though pagan, recognize that they have committed an offense against Israel's God and owe Him something as compensation, a clear recognition of God's rights and their guilt.
which we shall return to him? (אֲשֶׁר נָשִׁיב לוֹ) - Implies a recognition of indebtedness or a desire to restore what was unlawfully taken or offended. They see it as a payment or reparation for a wrong done to God.
And they answered, (וַיֹּאמְרוּ) - The same Philistine priests/diviners providing the expert advice based on their understanding.
Five golden emerods, (חֲמִשָּׁה טְחֹרֵי זָהָב) -
- Five: Corresponds to the number of the five major Philistine city-states or lordships (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron), indicating a comprehensive offering from all of Philistia. This suggests collective guilt and responsibility.
- golden: Signifies high value, permanence, and reverence. By offering objects made of a precious metal, they convey the seriousness of their predicament and the respect, albeit compelled, for the God they seek to appease. It's a costly payment.
- emerods (עָפָלִים, ‘ofalim): Swellings, tumors, or boils. This aligns with the plagues described in 1 Samuel 5:6, 9, 12. Most commentators connect this with the bubonic plague's characteristic glandular swellings (buboes) or severe hemorrhoids. The golden effigies are an acknowledgment of the specific disease by which God afflicted them.
and five golden mice, (וַחֲמִשָּׁה עַכְבְּרֵי זָהָב) -
- five golden: Similar to the emerods, signifies comprehensive and valuable offering.
- mice (עַכְבָּרִים, ‘akbarim): Typically referring to field mice or rats (Lev 11:29; Isa 66:17). The association of mice/rats with the plague (often understood as the bubonic plague carried by fleas on rodents) demonstrates a perceptive connection made by the Philistines between the disease and its likely vectors, recognizing that God's judgment came through natural means as well.
according to the number of the lords of the Philistines. (מִסְפַּר סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים) - This explicitly states the rationale for the number "five." The sarney (סַרְנֵי) refers to the Philistine "lords" or "tyrants" who ruled the five major cities, reinforcing the corporate nature of the sin and the offering. This highlights the unity and organized response of the Philistine confederation.
1 Samuel 6 4 Bonus section
The Philistines' selection of specific gold items (tumors and mice) as their trespass offering reveals a deep-seated belief in sympathetic magic, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions. However, here, it's remarkably reoriented towards Yahweh, highlighting His unique ability to manifest judgment through specific plagues and natural elements (rodents as disease carriers). Their choice not only attempts to pacify a powerful deity but also publicly acknowledges the divine source and character of their suffering. This is a significant moment where Gentile leaders, for the sake of relief, bend their customs toward an understanding (however imperfect) of the God of Israel. It serves as an early testimony to God's authority over nations and their gods.
1 Samuel 6 4 Commentary
1 Samuel 6:4 vividly demonstrates the Philistines' dawning realization and grudging acknowledgment of Yahweh's overwhelming power. Their request for a "trespass offering" indicates they understood, to some degree, that their affliction was a divine judgment requiring specific expiation. Though rooted in pagan practice where votive images were offered for healing, their offering of gold effigies of the "emerods" and "mice" uniquely acknowledges the specific nature of God's plague upon them. The choice of gold emphasizes the high value and seriousness they attached to this appeasement, and the "five" signifies the comprehensive responsibility of all their leadership and people for the affront to God. This counsel, ironically given by their own pagan diviners, ultimately served God's purpose by guiding the Philistines toward an action that recognized His sovereignty and paved the way for the Ark's return to Israelite territory.