1 Samuel 5:12

KJV

And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the men {H582} that died {H4191} not were smitten {H5221} with the emerods {H2914}{H6076}: and the cry {H7775} of the city {H5892} went up {H5927} to heaven {H8064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people who didn't die were struck with the tumors; and the city's cries for help reached the skies.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

American Standard Version

And the men that died not were smitten with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 5:12 marks the grim culmination of divine judgment upon the Philistine city of Ekron, following the capture and desecration of the Ark of the Covenant. As the Ark was moved from Ashdod to Gath and finally to Ekron, it brought a devastating plague of tumors and death upon the inhabitants. This verse vividly portrays the widespread suffering and profound anguish of the surviving Ekronites, whose desperate cries of distress ascended to the heavens, signifying the undeniable and overwhelming impact of the Lord's holy presence among them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the dramatic narrative arc initiated in [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Ark Captured"), where the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines in battle, leading to the death of Eli and his sons. [1 Samuel 5](/1_samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark Among the Philistines") then details the consequences of the Ark's presence in Philistine territory, specifically in their major cities. First, in Ashdod, the idol Dagon repeatedly fell before the Ark, and the people were afflicted with a severe plague, as described in [1 Samuel 5:1-6](/1_samuel/5-1 "1 Samuel 5:1-6 - Dagon Falls and Plague in Ashdod"). The Ark was then sent to Gath, where the same devastating plague struck its inhabitants ([1 Samuel 5:9](/1_samuel/5-9 "1 Samuel 5:9 - Plague in Gath")). Verse 12 describes the final and most intense stage of this divine retribution in Ekron, setting the stage for the Philistines' decision to return the Ark to Israel, as detailed in [1 Samuel 6](/1_samuel/6 "1 Samuel 6 - The Ark Returned"). The escalating severity of the judgment underscores the Ark's divine power and holiness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable, non-Semitic people who had settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan, frequently clashing with the Israelites. They worshipped a pantheon of gods, with Dagon being a prominent deity, often depicted as a fish-god. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, capturing a rival nation's cultic objects or deities was seen as a sign of victory and the superiority of one's own gods. The Philistines likely viewed the Ark as a war trophy, a symbol of Israel's God, Yahweh, whom they believed they had defeated. However, this narrative subverts that expectation, demonstrating Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all other gods and nations. The plagues described, particularly the "emerods" (tumors/boils), were a common form of divine judgment in the ancient world, often associated with specific deities or curses, highlighting the Philistines' inability to escape the power of the God of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme in this passage is the **unassailable sovereignty and holiness of Yahweh**. Even when His people are defeated and His sacred Ark captured, God demonstrates His power independently, proving that He is not confined or diminished by human actions or the strength of pagan deities. The narrative powerfully illustrates **divine judgment** against those who disrespect His presence and holiness. The Philistines, by treating the Ark as a mere trophy or a defeated idol, incurred severe consequences. Furthermore, the "cry of the city went up to heaven" highlights the **universal human response to overwhelming suffering**, revealing a desperate plea for relief, even from those unfamiliar with Yahweh. This collective anguish underscores the undeniable reality of a supernatural force at work, compelling even a pagan people to acknowledge a power beyond their control, as seen in their later decision to return the Ark with guilt offerings in [1 Samuel 6:3-5](/1_samuel/6-3 "1 Samuel 6:3-5 - Philistines Return the Ark").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Emerods (Hebrew, _‘ophalim'_):** This term refers to painful tumors, boils, or hemorrhoids. The King James Version's "emerods" is an archaic term for hemorrhoids, which aligns with ancient medical understanding of such afflictions. This was a particularly humiliating and debilitating plague, causing immense suffering and likely rendering its victims incapacitated. The mention of golden mice in [1 Samuel 6:5](/1_samuel/6-5 "1 Samuel 6:5 - Golden Tumors and Mice") suggests a possible connection to a rodent-borne disease, further emphasizing the widespread and unpleasant nature of the affliction, impacting both the human population and their land.
* **Cry (Hebrew, _za‘aqah'_):** This word denotes a loud, desperate outcry, often signifying deep distress, anguish, or an urgent plea for help. It is not merely a sound but an expression of profound suffering and desperation. In biblical contexts, such a "cry" often reaches the ears of God, whether from His people in oppression ([Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Hears Israel's Cry")) or from the victims of injustice ([Genesis 18:20](/genesis/18-20 "Genesis 18:20 - The Cry of Sodom and Gomorrah")).
* **Went up to heaven (Hebrew, _‘altah ha-shamayim'_):** This is a powerful idiomatic expression signifying the extreme and widespread nature of the distress. It implies that the lament was so pervasive and intense that it reached the very abode of God, or at least was universally acknowledged as an overwhelming calamity. It underscores the undeniable impact of the plague and the Philistines' recognition of a supernatural force at work, even if they did not fully comprehend Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods":** This clause highlights the dual nature of the plague: death for some, and severe, debilitating illness for others. The phrase "that died not" emphasizes that those who survived were not spared from suffering but were afflicted with a painful and humiliating disease. This ensured that the divine judgment was inescapable and visible to all, leaving no one untouched by the Ark's presence.
* **"and the cry of the city went up to heaven":** This vivid imagery portrays the collective and overwhelming anguish of the entire city of Ekron. It signifies a profound, widespread lament, not just from individuals but from the community as a whole. The "cry... to heaven" is a hyperbole emphasizing the extremity of their distress, implying that their suffering was so great it could not be contained, and perhaps serving as an unconscious, desperate appeal to a higher, unseen power for relief from the unbearable affliction.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey the gravity of the divine judgment. **Hyperbole** is evident in "the cry of the city went up to heaven," which dramatically emphasizes the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the suffering, suggesting that the lament was so intense it reached the divine realm. This also contributes to **pathos**, evoking a sense of pity and dread for the afflicted Philistines. There is an underlying **irony** in the narrative: the Philistines captured the Ark as a symbol of their victory, only for it to become an instrument of their own torment and humiliation, demonstrating the futility of opposing God's power. The "emerods" themselves serve as a **symbol** of divine judgment and the defilement that results from disrespecting God's holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 5:12 powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's active sovereignty and the inviolable nature of His holiness. The Ark, though a physical object, represented the very presence of Yahweh, and its mistreatment by the Philistines triggered an immediate and undeniable divine response. This narrative demonstrates that God does not need human armies or interventions to defend His honor; His inherent power is sufficient to vindicate His name and demonstrate His supremacy over all false gods and nations. The severe plague and the city's desperate cry underscore the seriousness of treating God's sacred things lightly and the dire consequences of defiance against divine order, even from those outside the covenant. It is a stark reminder that God's holiness demands reverence and that His presence can be a source of judgment for those who profane it.

* [Genesis 18:20](/genesis/18-20 "Genesis 18:20 - The Cry of Sodom and Gomorrah")
* [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Hears Israel's Cry")
* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is Known by His Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the Ark among the Philistines, culminating in the widespread suffering described in 1 Samuel 5:12, offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute holiness and His demand for reverence. We are called to approach God and His truth with awe and respect, recognizing that His presence is not to be trifled with or taken for granted. This narrative also underscores God's unstoppable power and sovereignty; He remains in control even when circumstances seem chaotic or His people are in disarray. He can defend His own honor and purposes without human intervention, reminding us to trust in His ultimate authority. Furthermore, the "cry of the city" highlights humanity's innate response to overwhelming suffering—a desperate turning to a higher power, even if vaguely understood. This can prompt us to consider how we respond to crises and whether our cries are directed to the one true God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Philistines' experience with the Ark challenge our understanding of God's holiness and His active judgment in the world?**
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, unintentionally treat God or His sacred truths with less reverence than they deserve?**
* **What does the "cry of the city went up to heaven" reveal about humanity's universal need for divine intervention in times of extreme distress?**
* **How does God's self-vindication in this narrative encourage our trust in His sovereignty, even when His people face apparent defeat?**

### FAQ
**What were "emerods" and why were they significant in this narrative?**

Answer: The "emerods" (Hebrew: _‘ophalim'_) refer to painful tumors, boils, or hemorrhoids. They were significant because they represented a specific, humiliating, and debilitating divine plague. Unlike a swift death, these afflictions caused prolonged suffering and visible disfigurement, serving as an undeniable and constant reminder of God's judgment. The mention of golden images of mice in [1 Samuel 6:5](/1_samuel/6-5 "1 Samuel 6:5 - Golden Tumors and Mice") suggests a possible connection to a rodent-borne disease, which would have made the plague even more widespread and terrifying, impacting both the people and their land. This specific affliction underscored God's power to humble the Philistines and their false gods, demonstrating His sovereignty over their bodies and their environment.

**Why did the "cry of the city go up to heaven"?**

Answer: The phrase "the cry of the city went up to heaven" is a powerful idiomatic expression used in the Bible to convey extreme, widespread distress and lament. It signifies that the suffering in Ekron was so profound and pervasive that it could not be contained, reaching a level of overwhelming anguish that was universally felt and heard. While the Philistines were not Yahweh-worshippers, this cry suggests a desperate, perhaps unconscious, appeal to a higher power for relief from an undeniable supernatural force. It underscores the undeniable presence of God's judgment and the Philistines' recognition that something far beyond human control was at work, compelling them to seek an end to their torment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the Ark of the Covenant among the Philistines, culminating in the cries of Ekron, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Ark symbolized God's holy presence, a presence that brought judgment to those who disrespected it, as seen in the plague upon Ekron. This foreshadows the ultimate reality that God's holiness, perfectly embodied in Christ, demands absolute reverence. Humanity, in its sin, has continually disrespected God's holiness, incurring a judgment far more severe than physical "emerods"—the judgment of eternal separation from God. However, Christ, the true Ark of the Covenant, did not bring judgment to those who believe but bore the full weight of God's wrath against sin on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He became the propitiation for our sins, satisfying the demands of divine holiness and justice. The "cry of the city" for relief from an unbearable plague prefigures humanity's desperate need for salvation from the plague of sin and death. It is in Christ alone that this cry is answered, for He is the one who "takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus offers not judgment, but life and peace to all who turn to Him in faith, demonstrating God's ultimate power to save and transform, rather than merely to punish ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Did Not Send His Son to Condemn")). He is the true dwelling place of God, "in whom the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")), a presence that brings life, not death, to those who approach Him in humility and faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:30

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead.

Amos 5:19

As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

Jeremiah 48:3

A voice of crying [shall be] from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.

Jeremiah 25:34

Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.

Jeremiah 14:2

Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

1 Samuel 9:16

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him [to be] captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

1 Kings 19:17

And it shall come to pass, [that] him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.