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 5:4KJV
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1 Samuel 5:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 5:4 mean?

1 Samuel 5:4 describes how, on the morning after the Philistines placed the ark of the LORD in the temple of their god Dagon, they found Dagon’s statue fallen face down before the ark, with its head and hands broken off and lying on the threshold, leaving only the main part of the statue. This scene shows the defeat or humiliation of Dagon in the presence of the ark of the LORD.

The verse is set in the Philistine city of Ashdod, where the Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant from Israel and put it in Dagon’s temple as a trophy. The next morning, the people discovered that Dagon’s idol had not only fallen again before the ark but was now broken, with its head and hands separated from the body. This event is presented as a sign that the God of Israel is greater than the Philistine god Dagon.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 5:4

  • דָּגוֹן (Dagon, H1712): This is the name of the Philistine god. The repeated mention of דָּגוֹן (Dagon) in the verse highlights the focus on the idol itself and its humiliation.
  • פָּנִים (panim, H6440): Meaning "face," this word is used to describe Dagon falling "upon his face" before the ark. The image is one of submission or defeat, as if Dagon is bowing before the LORD.
  • אֲרוֹן (aron, H727): This is the word for "ark," referring to the ark of the covenant, the sacred chest representing the presence of the LORD. The contrast between the ark and Dagon’s statue is central to the story.
  • כָּרַת (karat, H3772): Translated as "cut off," this word describes how Dagon’s head and hands were separated from the rest of the statue. This detail emphasizes the total defeat of Dagon, not just a simple fall.

Why 1 Samuel 5:4 matters

  • 1 Samuel 5:4 makes it clear that the God of Israel is not just another local god but is shown as superior to the Philistine deity, even in a foreign temple.
  • The verse explains why later in the chapter, the Philistines treat the threshold of Dagon’s temple with special reverence, because that is where the broken pieces were found.
  • This verse sets the stage for the troubles that follow for the Philistines, showing that possessing the ark does not bring them power but instead brings misfortune.

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 5:3 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 5:7 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.

“threshold” Hebrew H4670 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
  • Ezekiel 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
  • Ezekiel 46:2 And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.

“morrow” Hebrew H4283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 19:34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  • Numbers 11:32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
  • 1 Samuel 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

“early” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: