When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

1 SAMUEL 5:2KJV
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1 Samuel 5:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 5:2 mean?

1 Samuel 5:2 describes how the Philistines, after capturing the ark of God, brought it into the temple of their own god Dagon and placed it beside Dagon’s statue. This act shows the Philistines treating the ark as a trophy of victory and setting it in a place of honor next to their own deity.

The verse takes place after the Philistines have defeated Israel in battle and seized the ark, which was the sacred chest representing God’s presence among the Israelites. By bringing the ark into the house of Dagon, the Philistines are making a statement about their god’s supposed superiority. The setting is the city of Ashdod, and the verse sets up the events that follow, where the power of Israel’s God will be shown in contrast to Dagon.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 5:2

  • דָּגוֹן (Dagon, transliterated "Dagon"): This is the name of the Philistine god, whose temple is the setting for this verse. Mentioning Dagon twice in the verse highlights the focus on the confrontation between the God of Israel and the Philistine deity.
  • אֲרוֹן (aron, transliterated "ark"): This word refers to the ark of God, the most sacred object for the Israelites. Its placement in Dagon’s temple is meant to symbolize the Philistines’ claim of victory, but also sets up the coming conflict between the two gods.
  • בַּיִת (bayit, transliterated "house"): This word means "house" or "temple" and clarifies that the ark was brought into a religious space, not just any building, emphasizing the religious challenge being made.

Why 1 Samuel 5:2 matters

  • 1 Samuel 5:2 shows the Philistines’ belief that capturing the ark meant their god was stronger than Israel’s God, which sets up the irony of what happens next.
  • The verse helps the reader understand the seriousness of the Philistines’ actions, as placing the ark in Dagon’s temple was a direct challenge to the God of Israel.
  • This moment is key to the wider story, as it leads to a demonstration of God’s power over Dagon and the Philistines in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“Dagon” Hebrew H1712 · used in 7 verses

  • Judges 16:23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
  • 1 Samuel 5:4 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.
  • 1 Samuel 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was 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.

“set” Hebrew H3322 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 30:38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • 1 Chronicles 16:1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

“by” Hebrew H681 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
  • 1 Kings 10:19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
  • Proverbs 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;