1 Samuel 5:5

KJV

Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore neither the priests {H3548} of Dagon {H1712}, nor any that come {H935} into Dagon's {H1712} house {H1004}, tread {H1869} on the threshold {H4670} of Dagon {H1712} in Ashdod {H795} unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and those entering his temple never walk on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod.

Berean Standard Bible

That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and all who enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on the threshold.

American Standard Version

Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon’s house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 5:5 records a peculiar and enduring custom adopted by the priests and worshippers of Dagon in Ashdod: their deliberate avoidance of treading on the threshold of Dagon's temple. This ritualistic practice served as a permanent, tangible memorial to the dramatic and humiliating defeat of their national deity, Dagon, at the hands of the God of Israel, Yahweh, after the Ark of the Covenant was placed in Dagon's presence. It underscores the profound and lasting impact of divine judgment, transforming a site of pagan worship into an unwitting monument to Yahweh's undeniable supremacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative in [1 Samuel 5](/1-samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark Among the Philistines"), which details the Ark of the Covenant's devastating impact on the Philistine city of Ashdod. After the Philistines captured the Ark from Israel in [1 Samuel 4:11](/1-samuel/4-11 "1 Samuel 4:11 - Capture of the Ark"), they brought it to Ashdod and placed it triumphantly in the temple of Dagon, their chief deity. The following morning, Dagon's idol was found prostrate before the Ark. After being set upright, Dagon was found again the next morning, utterly shattered: its head and hands were severed and lay upon the temple's threshold, a graphic depiction of its utter powerlessness before Yahweh ([1 Samuel 5:4](/1-samuel/5-4 "1 Samuel 5:4 - Dagon's Humiliation")). Verse 5 explains the lasting ritualistic consequence of this divine intervention, demonstrating that the humiliation of Dagon was not a fleeting incident but a deeply ingrained cultural memory, preserved through this unique custom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable "Sea Peoples" group who settled in the southern coastal plain of Canaan, establishing a pentapolis (five major cities: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, Gath, and Ekron). Dagon was their prominent grain and fertility god, often depicted with a human upper body and a fish-like lower body. Temples were central to ancient Near Eastern religious life, and the threshold often held symbolic significance, sometimes considered a sacred boundary or a place where spirits resided. The act of stepping over a threshold could be imbued with ritual meaning. For the Philistines, the Ark's presence was initially a trophy, but its subsequent actions, including the plague of tumors ([1 Samuel 5:6](/1-samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6 - The Plague in Ashdod")), quickly revealed Yahweh's superior power. The custom in [1 Samuel 5:5](/1-samuel/5-5 "1 Samuel 5:5 - The Philistine Custom") thus reflects a superstitious reverence or fear, born out of a traumatic encounter with a power far greater than their own god, transforming a common architectural feature into a permanent reminder of Dagon's disgrace.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme is the **Supremacy of Yahweh** over all other gods and powers. The narrative vividly illustrates that the God of Israel is not merely one deity among many but is sovereign and incomparable. Dagon's repeated prostration and ultimate destruction before the Ark unequivocally declare Yahweh's unique power and authority, demonstrating that He does not share His glory with idols ([Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God's Glory Not Shared")). Closely related is the **Folly and Impotence of Idolatry**. The broken idol of Dagon serves as a powerful visual sermon on the worthlessness of man-made gods, which cannot even defend themselves, let alone their worshippers ([Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols")). This event underscores that idols are nothing but wood and stone, powerless against the living God. Finally, the phrase "unto this day" highlights the **Lasting Impact of Divine Judgment and Revelation**. The custom served as a perpetual, ritualistic acknowledgment by the Philistines of a divine intervention that profoundly impacted their religious practices and cultural memory, a testament to God's enduring power and the unforgettable nature of His acts.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priests (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** This term refers to those officiating in religious rituals, specifically the authorized functionaries of a deity. In this context, the "priests of Dagon" were the official custodians and ministers of Dagon's cult. Their participation in this custom underscores its religious significance and official endorsement within Philistine society, indicating that the humiliation of Dagon was acknowledged even by those whose livelihood depended on his veneration.
* **Threshold (Hebrew, _miphtân'_):** This word refers to the sill or doorstep of a doorway. In ancient cultures, thresholds often carried symbolic weight, marking the boundary between the sacred and profane, or inside and outside. In this context, the threshold of Dagon's temple became the specific, defiled spot where Dagon's severed head and hands lay. The Philistine priests' and worshippers' avoidance of treading on it suggests it was viewed as either ritually unclean due to Dagon's disgrace or supernaturally dangerous, a place imbued with the mysterious power that had shattered their god. It became a permanent, physical marker of Dagon's humiliation.
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** While part of the larger phrase "unto this day," the core word "day" refers to a specific period of time. In this context, its use in the phrase "unto this day" (Hebrew, _'ad hayyom hazzeh'_) functions as a common literary device in historical narratives. It indicates that the custom or condition described persisted from the time of the event until the time the biblical account was written or compiled. It serves to authenticate the historical accuracy and lasting impact of the event, emphasizing that the defeat of Dagon was not a forgotten incident but a deeply ingrained part of Philistine cultural memory and religious practice, a perpetual reminder of Yahweh's power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house":** This clause identifies the specific groups of people who observed the custom. "Priests of Dagon" refers to the official religious functionaries responsible for the cult of Dagon. "Any that come into Dagon's house" broadens the scope to include all worshippers and visitors to the temple, indicating that this was not merely a priestly regulation but a widely adopted practice among the Philistine populace in Ashdod. This demonstrates the widespread impact and acknowledgment of the divine judgment.
* **"tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod":** This specifies the ritualistic action and its location. The verb "tread" (דָּרַךְ, _darakh_) implies stepping on or walking over. The avoidance of this specific act on the temple's threshold in Ashdod is the core of the custom. It directly links the practice to the spot where Dagon's broken pieces lay, making the threshold a permanent, tangible memorial to Dagon's disgrace and Yahweh's triumph.
* **"unto this day":** This concluding phrase emphasizes the longevity and enduring nature of the custom. It signifies that the event was so impactful and the divine judgment so undeniable that it resulted in a lasting ritualistic practice that continued for generations, serving as a constant, albeit perhaps grudging, acknowledgment of Yahweh's superiority over Dagon.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Dagon's own temple, a supposed sanctuary of power, becomes the very stage for his public humiliation and a testament to Yahweh's supremacy. The threshold, meant to be a gateway to Dagon's presence, becomes a symbol of his utter defeat and a barrier for his worshippers. **Symbolism** is also key: Dagon's severed head and hands lying on the threshold symbolize his complete impotence and inability to act or think, while the avoided threshold itself becomes a lasting symbol of the Philistines' enforced acknowledgment of Yahweh's power. Furthermore, this verse functions as an **Aetiology** or **Historical Marker**, explaining the origin of a specific cultural custom ("unto this day"). This literary technique lends credibility and historical depth to the narrative, suggesting that the events described had real, observable consequences in the Philistine society.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The narrative of Dagon's defeat and the resulting custom in [1 Samuel 5:5](/1-samuel/5-5 "1 Samuel 5:5 - The Philistine Custom") powerfully affirms the absolute sovereignty and incomparability of Yahweh, the God of Israel. It serves as a foundational declaration that the one true God does not tolerate rivals and will assert His glory against all false deities and human constructs that seek to usurp His rightful place. This account demonstrates that God's power is not confined to Israel's borders or limited by human understanding; His presence, even when represented by the Ark, carries inherent authority that exposes the emptiness and futility of idolatry. The Philistines' superstitious custom, born of fear and awe, is an unwitting confession of Yahweh's unchallengeable might, a stark reminder that all created things, including pagan gods, are subject to the Creator.

* [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "God's Glory Not Shared")
* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4-7 "The Impotence of Idols")
* [Jeremiah 10:3-5](/jeremiah/10-3-5 "The Worthlessness of Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The enduring custom of the Philistine priests avoiding Dagon's threshold in Ashdod serves as a profound and timeless lesson for believers today. It calls us to recognize and submit to God's unchallengeable authority, reminding us that He remains supreme over every earthly power, ideology, or false god that competes for allegiance in our lives or in the world. In a culture saturated with distractions and competing loyalties, this passage challenges us to examine what occupies the "threshold" of our hearts – what we prioritize, what we worship, and what we truly rely upon. While we may not bow to physical statues, anything that takes God's rightful place – whether it be wealth, career, comfort, relationships, or even self-reliance – can become a modern idol. The broken Dagon reminds us of the futility of trusting in anything other than the living God. Moreover, the Ark's presence brought judgment and transformation to Dagon's temple; similarly, the indwelling presence of God's Holy Spirit in our lives should expose and challenge all that is contrary to His will, leading to genuine repentance, spiritual growth, and a clearer, more profound understanding of His glory and sovereignty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or competing loyalties might be occupying the "threshold" of my heart, preventing God from having His rightful, supreme place?**
* **How does the story of Dagon's humiliation encourage me to trust more fully in God's sovereignty amidst the challenges and false promises of the world?**
* **In what ways can I allow God's presence in my life to expose and break down anything that is not aligned with His will, leading to deeper transformation?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Philistines adopt this custom of not treading on the threshold?**

Answer: The Philistines adopted this custom out of a mixture of fear, superstition, and an undeniable acknowledgment of a superior divine power. After the Ark of the Covenant was placed in Dagon's temple, Dagon's idol was twice found prostrate before it, and on the second occasion, Dagon was utterly shattered, with its head and hands severed and lying on the very threshold ([1 Samuel 5:4](/1-samuel/5-4 "1 Samuel 5:4 - Dagon's Humiliation")). This was a public, undeniable humiliation of their chief deity, indicating that the God of Israel was far more powerful. The threshold became a defiled or supernaturally charged spot, a permanent reminder of Dagon's disgrace. By avoiding stepping on it, the priests and worshippers were likely attempting to appease this powerful, unseen force, avoid similar judgment, or simply ritualistically acknowledge the profound event that had occurred, preserving its memory "unto this day."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic humiliation of Dagon before the Ark of the Covenant in [1 Samuel 5](/1-samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark Among the Philistines") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and decisive victory of Jesus Christ over all spiritual powers and the forces of evil. Just as Dagon, a prominent false god, was utterly stripped of its power and authority, so too did Christ, through His death and resurrection, disarm and triumph over the principalities and powers of darkness. The threshold, where Dagon's severed head and hands lay, symbolizes the place of ultimate defeat for the enemy. In Christ, we see the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), not by merely toppling an idol, but by conquering sin and death itself. His victory on the cross was a public spectacle, where He "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The lasting custom of avoiding Dagon's threshold points to the eternal implications of Christ's triumph: just as Dagon's defeat was a permanent marker, so too is Christ's victory an eternal reality, ensuring that the power of sin and death is forever broken for those who believe in Him ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). He is the true and living God, before whom every knee will one day bow ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")), demonstrating His ultimate supremacy over all that would contend for our worship.

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

Zephaniah 1:9

In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

Psalms 115:4

Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psalms 115:7

They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

Psalms 135:15

¶ The idols of the heathen [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psalms 135:18

They that make them are like unto them: [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

Joshua 5:15

And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.