1 Samuel 5:3

KJV

And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon [was] fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they of Ashdod {H796} arose early {H7925} on the morrow {H4283}, behold, Dagon {H1712} was fallen {H5307} upon his face {H6440} to the earth {H776} before {H6440} the ark {H727} of the LORD {H3068}. And they took {H3947} Dagon {H1712}, and set {H7725} him in his place {H4725} again {H7725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But early the next morning, when the people of Ashdod got up, there was Dagon, fallen down with his face to the ground before the ark of ADONAI. They took Dagon and set him in his place again;

Berean Standard Bible

When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place.

American Standard Version

And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The account in 1 Samuel 5:3 describes the immediate, dramatic consequence of the Philistines placing the captured Ark of the LORD in the temple of their god, Dagon, in Ashdod. Upon rising the next morning, the people of Ashdod discovered Dagon's idol prostrate on the ground before the Ark, a clear and unmistakable sign of the God of Israel's supremacy over their false deity. Despite this divine demonstration, they defiantly restored Dagon to his place, setting the stage for further divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative following the disastrous defeat of Israel by the Philistines and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, as recounted in [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Capture of the Ark"). The Ark, representing God's presence among His people, was taken as a war trophy by the Philistines. Their decision to place it in Dagon's temple was a deliberate act of symbolic subjugation, intended to declare the superiority of their god over Yahweh. However, the events of [1 Samuel 5](/1_samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark Among the Philistines") immediately demonstrate that God's power is not diminished by human sin or military defeat, but rather actively asserts itself against pagan deities and those who defy Him. The narrative highlights God's independent sovereignty, even when His people are in a state of spiritual decline and disobedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a powerful, seafaring people who settled in the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan. Their religion was polytheistic, with Dagon being a prominent deity, particularly in cities like Ashdod and Gaza, as seen in [Judges 16:23](/judges/16-23 "Judges 16:23 - Dagon Worship in Gaza"). Dagon was likely associated with grain (from _dagan_, "grain") or fish (from _dag_, "fish"), suggesting a god of fertility or the sea. The practice of placing a captured enemy's idol or sacred object in the temple of one's own god was common in the ancient Near East, signifying the victor god's triumph and the vanquished god's submission. The Philistines' action was thus a culturally understood declaration of Dagon's supposed victory over the God of Israel, making Dagon's subsequent fall an even more profound and humiliating reversal of expectations.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [1 Samuel 5:3](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3 - Dagon's Humiliation") is the **unchallenged supremacy of the God of Israel** over all other gods. Dagon's prostration, requiring no human intervention, served as an undeniable declaration that the LORD alone is God, demonstrating His power even when the Ark was among His enemies. This event also powerfully illustrates the **futility of idolatry**. Dagon, a lifeless statue, was utterly powerless before the living God, highlighting the absurdity of worshipping man-made images that cannot see, hear, or stand on their own, a theme echoed in [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Futility of Idols"). Furthermore, the incident serves as an act of **divine judgment** against idolatry and Philistine defiance, signaling the beginning of God's direct intervention to vindicate His name and demonstrate His holiness, which would continue with plagues upon Ashdod as described in [1 Samuel 5:6-12](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6-12 - Plagues on Ashdod").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dagon (דָּגוֹן, _dāḡôn_):** The chief deity of the Philistines, worshipped in cities like Ashdod and Gaza. While its etymology is debated, it is often linked to _dāḡ_ (fish) or _dāḡān_ (grain), suggesting a god of fertility or the sea. The idol's fall before the Ark of the LORD is a direct confrontation between the true God and a false, man-made deity, emphasizing the futility and powerlessness of the latter.
* **fallen upon his face (נָפַל עַל־פָּנָיו, _nāphal ‘al-pānāw_):** This phrase describes a posture of prostration, typically associated with worship, submission, or profound reverence. In this context, Dagon's involuntary fall signifies his utter humiliation and forced homage to the God of Israel, a stark reversal of the Philistines' intention to declare Dagon's superiority. It demonstrates a complete lack of agency or power on Dagon's part.
* **set him in his place again (וַיָּשִׁבוּ אֹתוֹ לִמְקוֹמוֹ, _wayyāšīḇū ’ōṯō lîmōqōmō_):** This action reveals the Philistines' stubbornness and spiritual blindness. Despite the clear divine sign, they chose to reassert Dagon's position, attempting to undo God's supernatural act through human effort. This highlights their resistance to acknowledging Yahweh's supremacy and foreshadows further divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow":** This phrase emphasizes the immediate and public nature of the discovery. The Philistines' daily routine was interrupted by a divine intervention that was undeniable and visible to all, underscoring the directness of God's action.
* **"behold, Dagon [was] fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD":** This is the dramatic climax of the verse. The word "behold" draws attention to the astonishing sight. Dagon's idol, representing the Philistine god, is found in a posture of complete submission and defeat before the Ark, which symbolized the presence and power of the God of Israel. This was not an accident but a deliberate, miraculous act of divine power.
* **"And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again":** This final clause reveals the Philistines' response. Instead of recognizing the true God and repenting, they defiantly restored their idol. This act demonstrates their spiritual blindness and their determination to maintain their idolatrous worship, despite overwhelming evidence of Dagon's impotence.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in [1 Samuel 5:3](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3 - Dagon's Humiliation") is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological message. **Irony** is prominent, as Dagon, the supposed victor over Yahweh, is found prostrate in a position of forced worship before the Ark of the LORD. This subverts the Philistines' intended display of triumph. The description of Dagon "fallen upon his face" uses a form of **personification** or **anthropomorphism**, attributing a human action (falling in submission) to an inanimate idol, which paradoxically highlights its lifelessness and utter lack of power. The Ark itself functions as a powerful **symbolism** of God's active presence and power, even when separated from His people. The entire scene serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the continued divine judgment that will befall the Philistines and their gods, as detailed in the subsequent verses of [1 Samuel 5](/1_samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark Among the Philistines"), reinforcing the theme of God's unwavering sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The humiliation of Dagon before the Ark of the LORD in Ashdod is a profound theological statement about the exclusive sovereignty and power of the God of Israel. It asserts that Yahweh is not merely one god among many, nor is He dependent on the faithfulness of His people to demonstrate His power. Rather, He is the living God, superior to all false deities, who are nothing more than lifeless creations of human hands. This event serves as a powerful testament to God's jealousy for His own glory and His active intervention to vindicate His name against idolatry and human pride. It underscores the biblical truth that idols are vain and powerless, incapable of helping themselves or their worshippers, and ultimately bow before the one true God.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Futility of Idols")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")
* [Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Exodus 12:12 - Judgment on Egypt's Gods")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene of Dagon's prostration before the Ark of the LORD offers timeless truths for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that despite the apparent triumph of opposing forces, ideologies, or personal struggles, God's ultimate authority remains unchallenged. He does not require human strength or favorable circumstances to assert His power and defend His glory. For us today, this narrative challenges us to examine our own lives for "Dagons"—anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts and minds. These modern idols may not be physical statues, but could be career, money, relationships, comfort, self-image, or even intellectual pursuits that subtly usurp God's supremacy. The call is to recognize these idols and, by God's grace, cast them down, acknowledging His absolute sovereignty in every sphere of our lives. Furthermore, this event instills confidence that when God's name or truth is challenged, He is perfectly capable of defending Himself. Our role is not to manipulate outcomes or despair in difficult situations, but to remain faithful and trust in His unfolding plan and power, knowing that He will ultimately be glorified.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Dagons" (false gods or ultimate allegiances) in my life need to be cast down before the LORD?**
* **How does this event affirm God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem chaotic or challenging, or when His people are in a state of disobedience?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "set Dagon in his place again" by trying to control, restore, or justify something that God has clearly shown to be futile or contrary to His will?**

### FAQ
**Why did Dagon fall? Was it an earthquake or some natural phenomenon?**

Answer: The biblical text strongly implies a direct, miraculous act of divine intervention, not a natural phenomenon. The specific description of Dagon falling "before the ark of the LORD" and the subsequent, even more severe, dismemberment of the idol described in [1 Samuel 5:4](/1_samuel/5-4 "1 Samuel 5:4 - Dagon's Further Humiliation") rule out mere coincidence or natural causes. This was a deliberate demonstration of God's power and supremacy over the Philistine deity.

**What was the significance of Dagon's fall "upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD"?**

Answer: This posture is universally recognized in the ancient Near East as one of worship, submission, or defeat. By falling on his face, Dagon was involuntarily performing an act of homage to the God of Israel. It was a clear visual declaration that Yahweh was superior to Dagon, effectively demonstrating Dagon's powerlessness and subservience to the true God, despite the Philistines' attempts to elevate him.

**What does this event tell us about God's character and His relationship with idols?**

Answer: This event reveals several aspects of God's character: His absolute sovereignty, His jealousy for His own glory, and His active opposition to idolatry. It shows that God does not tolerate rivals and will actively demonstrate the futility of worshipping anything other than Himself. He is a living God who intervenes in human affairs, unlike the lifeless idols that cannot help themselves, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 10:10-11](/jeremiah/10-10 "Jeremiah 10:10-11 - The Living God vs. Idols").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic fall of Dagon before the Ark of the LORD in [1 Samuel 5:3](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3 - Dagon's Humiliation") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ over all spiritual powers and false gods. Just as Dagon, a symbol of pagan idolatry and spiritual darkness, was utterly humiliated and rendered powerless before the presence of God, so too did Christ, through His death and resurrection, decisively conquer sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil. The Philistines' futile attempt to "set Dagon in his place again" mirrors humanity's ongoing struggle to enthrone lesser things or themselves in God's rightful place, yet Christ's victory is final and irreversible. When Jesus declared, "[Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Judgment of the World")," He spoke of His cross as the moment of decisive spiritual warfare. Through His sacrifice, Christ disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, "[triumphing over them by the cross](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")." He has "[destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Destroying the Power of Death")," ensuring that every knee will one day "[bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Will Bow")," acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord, just as Dagon involuntarily bowed before the LORD.

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

Isaiah 19:1

¶ The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

Isaiah 46:1

¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].

Isaiah 46:2

They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

Isaiah 46:7

They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, [one] shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

Zephaniah 2:11

The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen.

Jeremiah 10:8

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.

Psalms 97:7

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all [ye] gods.