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 6:17KJV
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1 Samuel 6:17 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“emerods” Hebrew H2914 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
  • 1 Samuel 5:9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
  • 1 Samuel 6:4 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.

“Askelon” Hebrew H831 · used in 11 verses

  • Judges 1:18 Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.
  • 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,
  • Amos 1:8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

“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,

“Gaza” Hebrew H5804 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Judges 6:4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
  • 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,