1 Samuel Chapter 6 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
מָ֣ה
H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הָֽאָשָׁם֮
they What shall be the trespass offering
H817
הָֽאָשָׁם֮
they What shall be the trespass offering
Strong's:
H817
Word #:
3 of 21
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָשִׁ֣יב
which we shall return
H7725
נָשִׁ֣יב
which we shall return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
5 of 21
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מִסְפַּר֙
according to the number
H4557
מִסְפַּר֙
according to the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
8 of 21
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
10 of 21
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
זָהָ֑ב
golden
H2091
זָהָ֑ב
golden
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
13 of 21
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
זָהָ֑ב
golden
H2091
זָהָ֑ב
golden
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
16 of 21
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַחַ֛ת
for one
H259
אַחַ֛ת
for one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Cross References
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:Judges 3:3Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath.1 Samuel 5:9And 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 5:6But 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.
Historical Context
The Philistines, part of the 'Sea Peoples' who settled the coastal plain around 1200 BCE, possessed superior iron technology and organized military forces. Their pentapolis (five major cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) controlled coastal trade routes and threatened Israelite settlements in the hill country. The Philistine threat created the political pressure that would eventually lead to Israel's demand for centralized monarchy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
- What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
- How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?
Analysis & Commentary
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.
The Ark narrative reveals that God's presence cannot be manipulated through religious symbols or ritualistic practices. Israel's superstitious use of the Ark as a magical talisman demonstrated fundamental misunderstanding of covenant relationship. The Ark's capture and Israel's defeat prove that external religious forms without heart transformation provide no protection from judgment. Yet even in captivity, the Ark demonstrates Yahweh's supremacy—Dagon falls, plagues strike, and the Philistines recognize a power they cannot control or domesticate.