1 Samuel 6:17
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;
Original Language Analysis
טְחֹרֵ֣י
emerods
H2914
טְחֹרֵ֣י
emerods
Strong's:
H2914
Word #:
2 of 18
a boil or ulcer (from the inflammation), especially a tumor in the anus or pudenda (the piles)
הַזָּהָ֔ב
And these are the golden
H2091
הַזָּהָ֔ב
And these are the golden
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
3 of 18
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵשִׁ֧יבוּ
returned
H7725
הֵשִׁ֧יבוּ
returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
5 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים
which the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים
which the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
6 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
אָשָׁ֖ם
for a trespass offering
H817
אָשָׁ֖ם
for a trespass offering
Strong's:
H817
Word #:
7 of 18
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
The five cities formed a confederation controlling the southern coastal plain. Ashdod hosted Dagon's primary temple; Gaza was the southernmost city; Ashkelon possessed a major seaport; Gath was the inland agricultural center; Ekron lay nearest Israelite territory. Each city's golden tumor acknowledged local experience of the plague.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Philistines' city-by-city acknowledgment of guilt teach about corporate responsibility for sin?
- How do people today offer religious substitutes rather than genuine heart surrender?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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;
The narrator provides an itemized account of the guilt offering, listing each city's contribution. The Hebrew 'asham' (trespass or guilt offering) terminology shows the Philistines understood their affliction as punishment requiring compensation. Five golden tumors represented the five cities - a symbolic acknowledgment that the plague had touched all of Philistia. The enumeration 'for Ashdod one, for Gaza one...' emphasizes corporate responsibility; each city bore guilt and each contributed to atonement. This pagan appropriation of Hebrew sacrificial concepts demonstrates how God's revelation influenced surrounding cultures while also showing the inadequacy of external forms without heart transformation. The Philistines offered gold but not themselves, substitutes but not surrender.