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.

1 SAMUEL 5:7KJV
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1 Samuel 5:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 5:7 mean?

1 Samuel 5:7 describes how the people of Ashdod realized that keeping the ark of the God of Israel among them was causing them great trouble, so they decided it could not stay with them any longer. They believed that the God of Israel was punishing them and their god Dagon by bringing hardship upon them.

In this verse, the men of Ashdod, a Philistine city, are reacting to the disasters that began after they captured the ark (a sacred chest representing God's presence) from Israel. Seeing the harm that came upon both themselves and their idol Dagon, they conclude that the ark is too dangerous to keep, acknowledging the power of Israel’s God even over their own deity.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 5:7

  • אֲרוֹן (aron, "ark"): This word refers to the sacred chest that symbolized God's presence among the Israelites. Its presence in Ashdod is central to the trouble described in the verse.
  • יָד (yad, "hand"): The phrase "his hand is sore upon us" uses this word to picture God's power or force being actively against the people of Ashdod and their god.
  • דָּגוֹן (Dagon): This is the name of the Philistine god. Mentioning Dagon by name highlights the direct conflict between the God of Israel and the Philistine religion.
  • אֱלֹהִים (Elohim, "God/god"): This word is used both for the God of Israel and for Dagon, showing the contrast and the Philistines' recognition of a power greater than their own god.

Why 1 Samuel 5:7 matters

  • This verse shows that even Israel’s enemies recognized the power of Israel’s God, especially when compared to their own idols.
  • The reaction of the men of Ashdod sets up the events that follow, where the Philistines try to get rid of the ark because of the disasters it brings.
  • The verse highlights the idea that God’s presence cannot be controlled or manipulated by those who do not honor Him, and that His power is not limited by geography or by the presence of other gods.

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 5:5 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.

“Ashdod” Hebrew H795 · used in 15 verses

  • Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
  • 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.
  • Jeremiah 25:20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,

“sore” Hebrew H7185 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
  • 2 Samuel 19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
  • Nehemiah 9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments,(which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.