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 6:17KJVWhat does 1 Samuel 6:17 mean?
1 Samuel 6:17 lists the five golden objects shaped like "emerods" (tumors) that the Philistines sent as a guilt offering to the LORD, one for each of their main cities: Ashdod, Gaza, Askelon, Gath, and Ekron. This verse shows how the Philistines tried to make amends for taking the Ark of the Covenant by returning these golden items as a symbolic payment.
The verse is part of the story where the Philistines, suffering from a plague after capturing Israel’s Ark, decide to return it with offerings. The leaders of the five Philistine cities each contributed one golden "emerod," matching the number of their major city-states, as a way to acknowledge their wrongdoing and seek relief from their suffering.
The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 6:17
- "golden" (זָהָב, zahav): This word means gold, emphasizing that the offerings were valuable and precious, not ordinary objects.
- "emerods" (טְחֹר, techor): This word refers to tumors or swellings, likely representing the affliction the Philistines experienced. The use of golden models of their affliction shows a symbolic act of confession and plea for healing.
- "offering" (אָשָׁם, asham): This word means a guilt or trespass offering, highlighting that the Philistines recognized their actions as an offense that needed to be atoned for.
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, showing that the Philistines directed their offering specifically to the God of Israel, acknowledging His power over their situation.
Why 1 Samuel 6:17 matters
- 1 Samuel 6:17 clarifies that each major Philistine city was equally involved in both the offense and the attempt to make restitution, showing a united response to the crisis.
- The verse highlights the Philistines’ recognition of the LORD’s authority, even though they were not Israelites, by making offerings directly to Him.
- This verse connects to the larger narrative by showing the seriousness with which the Philistines treated the consequences of taking the Ark, and it sets up the return of the Ark to Israel.