1 Samuel 5:6
But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּכְבַּ֧ד
was heavy
H3513
וַתִּכְבַּ֧ד
was heavy
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
1 of 13
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
יַד
But the hand
H3027
יַד
But the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָֽאַשְׁדּוֹדִ֖ים
upon them of Ashdod
H796
הָֽאַשְׁדּוֹדִ֖ים
upon them of Ashdod
Strong's:
H796
Word #:
5 of 13
an ashdodite (often collectively) or inhabitant of asdod
וַיְשִׁמֵּ֑ם
and he destroyed
H8074
וַיְשִׁמֵּ֑ם
and he destroyed
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
6 of 13
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
וַיַּ֤ךְ
them and smote
H5221
וַיַּ֤ךְ
them and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 13
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֹתָם֙
H853
אֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Samuel 5:11So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.Acts 13:11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.Psalms 32:4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.Exodus 9:3Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.Deuteronomy 28:27The 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.Psalms 78:66And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.1 Samuel 5:7And 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.Job 31:3Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
Historical Context
The term 'emerods' (Hebrew: ophalim) may refer to tumors associated with bubonic plague, especially given the later connection with mice (6:4-5). Plagues spreading through the Philistine cities parallel the Egyptian plagues, demonstrating Yahweh's power among the nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment on Philistia connect to His earlier judgment on Egypt?
- What does the 'heavy hand' of the LORD indicate about His active response to those who dishonor Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Divine judgment extends beyond the idol to the people: 'the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod.' The 'heavy hand' metaphor pictures oppressive, crushing weight. God 'destroyed them' and struck them with 'emerods' (tumors or hemorrhoids, possibly bubonic plague). The scope expands: 'Ashdod and the coasts thereof.' What began in Dagon's temple spreads throughout the territory. The Ark that could not protect disobedient Israel actively attacks its pagan captors.