1 Samuel 5:4
And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣מוּ
And when they arose early
H7925
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣מוּ
And when they arose early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
1 of 23
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
בַבֹּקֶר֮
morning
H1242
בַבֹּקֶר֮
morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
נֹפֵ֤ל
was fallen
H5307
נֹפֵ֤ל
was fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְרֹ֨אשׁ
and the head
H7218
וְרֹ֨אשׁ
and the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
12 of 23
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
כַּפּ֣וֹת
the palms
H3709
כַּפּ֣וֹת
the palms
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
15 of 23
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
יָדָ֗יו
of his hands
H3027
יָדָ֗יו
of his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 23
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
כְּרֻתוֹת֙
were cut off
H3772
כְּרֻתוֹת֙
were cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
17 of 23
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
רַ֥ק
H7535
רַ֥ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
Cross References
Micah 1:7And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.Jeremiah 10:11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.Jeremiah 50:2Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
Historical Context
The specific mutilation of head and hands echoes ancient Near Eastern practices of humiliating conquered enemies. Warriors' heads and hands were often severed and displayed. Applying this treatment to Dagon demonstrates his complete defeat by Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the significance of Dagon losing his head and hands specifically?
- How does this scene reverse Philistine expectations about who conquered whom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The second morning brings intensified humiliation: Dagon falls again, now with 'head...and both the palms of his hands cut off upon the threshold.' Only 'the stump of Dagon' (literally 'only Dagon') remains - the fish-body portion if Dagon was fish-shaped, or simply a mutilated torso. The severing of head and hands represents complete incapacitation: no wisdom (head) and no power (hands). Dagon cannot think or act. The threshold - the temple's entrance point - becomes a place of permanent shame.