1 Samuel Chapter 5 · Verse 1
And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod.
Original Language Analysis
וּפְלִשְׁתִּים֙
And the Philistines
H6430
וּפְלִשְׁתִּים֙
And the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
1 of 9
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיְבִאֻ֛הוּ
and brought
H935
וַיְבִאֻ֛הוּ
and brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 9
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
1 Samuel 7:12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.1 Samuel 4:1And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.Joshua 13:3From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
Historical Context
Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities (pentapolis), located on the coastal plain. It housed a significant temple to Dagon, the Philistines' chief deity. Bringing captured religious objects to one's own temple was standard ancient Near Eastern practice to demonstrate divine superiority.
Questions for Reflection
- What did the Philistines think they had accomplished by capturing the Ark?
- How does God use apparent defeat to demonstrate His power?
Analysis & Commentary
The Ark's journey into Philistine territory moves from Ebenezer (stone of help) to Ashdod - from the place that should have marked divine aid to the center of Dagon worship. The geographical movement traces the Ark's captivity but also sets the stage for God's self-vindication. What appears to be Yahweh's defeat will become His triumph. The Philistines think they have captured Israel's God; they will discover they have brought judgment into their own land.