1 Samuel 6:5
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶם֩
Wherefore ye shall make
H6213
וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶם֩
Wherefore ye shall make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְצַלְמֵ֣י
and images
H6754
וְצַלְמֵ֣י
and images
Strong's:
H6754
Word #:
2 of 21
a phantom, i.e., (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol
וְצַלְמֵ֣י
and images
H6754
וְצַלְמֵ֣י
and images
Strong's:
H6754
Word #:
4 of 21
a phantom, i.e., (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol
הַמַּשְׁחִיתִם֙
that mar
H7843
הַמַּשְׁחִיתִם֙
that mar
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
6 of 21
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַרְצְכֶֽם׃
and from off your land
H776
אַרְצְכֶֽם׃
and from off your land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
8 of 21
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וּנְתַתֶּ֛ם
and ye shall give
H5414
וּנְתַתֶּ֛ם
and ye shall give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
from off you and from off your gods
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
from off you and from off your gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 21
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כָּב֑וֹד
glory
H3519
כָּב֑וֹד
glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יָקֵ֤ל
peradventure he will lighten
H7043
יָקֵ֤ל
peradventure he will lighten
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
14 of 21
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
H3027
יָדוֹ֙
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 21
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
מֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
H5921
מֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּמֵעַ֥ל
H5921
וּמֵעַ֥ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
from off you and from off your gods
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם
from off you and from off your gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 21
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
Cross References
Joshua 7:19And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.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.Isaiah 42:12Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.John 9:24Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.Psalms 32:4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.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.
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?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
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.