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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֤מוּ
arose early
H7925
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֤מוּ
arose early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
1 of 17
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
אַשְׁדּוֹדִים֙
And when they of Ashdod
H796
אַשְׁדּוֹדִים֙
And when they of Ashdod
Strong's:
H796
Word #:
2 of 17
an ashdodite (often collectively) or inhabitant of asdod
נֹפֵ֤ל
was fallen
H5307
נֹפֵ֤ל
was fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 17
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּקְחוּ֙
And they took
H3947
וַיִּקְחוּ֙
And they took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
12 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ
again
H7725
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ
again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
15 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Isaiah 19:1The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.Isaiah 46:7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.Zephaniah 2:11The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
Historical Context
Cult statues were believed to be inhabited by the deity's presence. Dagon's fall would be deeply alarming to his worshippers, though they apparently attributed it to accident. The prostrate position specifically before the Ark suggests involuntary obeisance.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Dagon's fall before the Ark demonstrate about the relative power of Yahweh and pagan gods?
- How do people today 'set up' fallen idols rather than acknowledging God's supremacy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Morning reveals Dagon's humiliation: 'fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD.' The idol that should have been victorious lies prostrate in worship position before the Ark. The Philistines' response - setting Dagon back up - shows persistent blindness. They restore their idol rather than acknowledging what the fall signifies. Human beings persistently prop up failing ideologies and idols rather than acknowledging the true God's supremacy.