1 Samuel 5:6

KJV

¶ But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, [even] Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} was heavy {H3513} upon them of Ashdod {H796}, and he destroyed {H8074} them, and smote {H5221} them with emerods {H2914}{H6076}, even Ashdod {H795} and the coasts {H1366} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI began oppressing the people of Ashdod; he ravaged them, striking Ashdod and its surrounding area with tumors.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors.

American Standard Version

But the hand of Jehovah was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with tumors, even Ashdod and the borders thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 5:6 vividly recounts the immediate and severe divine judgment inflicted upon the Philistine city of Ashdod after they captured the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in the temple of their idol, Dagon. This verse underscores the active and undeniable presence of God, who, despite His Ark being in enemy hands, powerfully defended His holiness and sovereignty, demonstrating His supremacy over all false gods and human defiance. The affliction served as an unmistakable sign of His righteous indignation and an assertion of His unchallengeable authority, forcing the Philistines to confront the reality of Yahweh's unparalleled power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of the narrative detailing the Philistines' capture of the Ark of the Covenant, as described in [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Capture of the Ark"). Following Israel's devastating defeat at Ebenezer and the tragic deaths of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, the Ark was taken as a trophy of war by the Philistines. [1 Samuel 5:1-5](/1_samuel/5-1-5 "1 Samuel 5:1-5 - Dagon's Humiliation Before the Ark") establishes the immediate preceding events, where the Philistines brought the Ark to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their chief deity, Dagon. The miraculous toppling and subsequent shattering of Dagon before the Ark on two consecutive mornings served as a preliminary, symbolic humiliation of the Philistine deity. Verse 6 then escalates the divine judgment from the idol to its worshippers, indicating that God's active presence, though unseen, was powerfully at work, moving from a demonstration of sovereignty over a false god to direct, physical affliction upon the people who dared to profane His sacred presence. This progression highlights the escalating nature of God's wrath against those who defy Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the capture of a deity's cultic image or sacred object was often seen as a decisive victory over the god itself, signifying the vanquished god's weakness and the victor's god's superiority. The Philistines, a powerful maritime people with origins likely from the Aegean region, worshipped a pantheon of gods, with Dagon often considered their chief deity, associated with grain, fertility, and sometimes fish. Their act of placing the Ark in Dagon's temple was a triumphal assertion of Dagon's supposed dominance over Yahweh, a common practice among conquering nations. However, the events of [1 Samuel 5](/1_samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark Among the Philistines") directly challenged this worldview, demonstrating that the God of Israel was not a localized or limited deity who could be captured, but a sovereign power who acted independently of human control or geographical location. The "emerods" (tumors/boils) described were a form of plague, a common divine judgment in ancient texts, often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure and a direct challenge to the authority of local gods who were supposed to protect their people from such afflictions. Such plagues were seen as undeniable proof of a deity's power and wrath.

* **Key Themes:** The events surrounding [1 Samuel 5:6](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6 - God's Heavy Hand on Ashdod") powerfully articulate several core biblical themes. Firstly, **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Power** is paramount; even when His people failed and His sacred Ark was in enemy hands, God Himself remained uncaptured and supremely active, demonstrating His power independently of human circumstances or the perceived strength of His enemies. Secondly, it highlights **God's Uncompromising Holiness**; the Ark, representing His presence, was sacred, and its profanation by the Philistines invoked immediate and severe consequences, underscoring that God's holiness demands reverence and cannot be treated lightly or as a mere object. Thirdly, the narrative serves as a stark warning against **Idolatry and Disrespect for God's Name**; the Philistines' reverence for Dagon and their contempt for the Ark brought direct divine retribution, echoing the first commandment found in [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment - No Other Gods"), which prohibits having other gods before Yahweh. Finally, the account illustrates the principle of **Divine Retribution**, where God directly intervenes to judge those who dishonor Him, proving that His justice is active and His purposes will prevail despite human defiance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** From H3027, "a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote...a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)." In the phrase "the hand of the LORD," this term is an anthropomorphism signifying God's direct, active, and powerful intervention. It denotes agency, authority, and the execution of divine will, often implying a forceful or overwhelming manifestation of God's presence, whether in judgment or blessing.
* **Heavy (Hebrew, _kâbad'_):** From H3513, "a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses)." When applied to God's hand, "heavy" signifies a severe, oppressive, and burdensome manifestation of divine power. It conveys the idea of a crushing weight of judgment, indicating that the affliction was not light or coincidental but a profound and inescapable act of God's sovereign will, causing immense suffering and distress.
* **Emerods (Hebrew, _ṭᵉchôr'_):** From H2914, "from an unused root meaning to burn; a boil or ulcer (from the inflammation), especially a tumor in the anus or pudenda (the piles)." This term, also linked to H6076 ('ôphel, "a tumor; also a mound, i.e. fortress"), refers to painful, often humiliating, tumors, boils, or swellings. While sometimes interpreted as hemorrhoids, the broader consensus among scholars suggests a severe, debilitating plague characterized by painful buboes or glandular swellings, possibly bubonic plague. The nature of the affliction was designed to be both physically agonizing and deeply shameful, fitting for a divine judgment intended to humble and punish those who had dishonored God and His sacred Ark.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine agency behind the catastrophe. The "hand of the LORD" is a powerful anthropomorphic idiom, signifying God's direct, powerful, and inescapable intervention. The word "heavy" (כָּבְדָה, _kaveda_) conveys the oppressive, burdensome, and severe nature of this divine presence, indicating that the people of Ashdod experienced God's power as a crushing weight of judgment, not a mere misfortune.
* **"and he destroyed them":** This phrase describes the devastating effect of God's heavy hand. While not necessarily implying total annihilation of the city's inhabitants, it indicates a widespread and severe affliction that brought about significant death and ruin. The verb "destroyed" (וַיַּשְׁחִתֵם, _wayyashḥitem_, from H8074 _shâmêm_) carries the nuance of ruin, devastation, or causing desolation, emphasizing the destructive capacity of God's judgment when His holiness is profaned.
* **"and smote them with emerods":** This specifies the particular nature of the affliction, identifying the "emerods" (painful tumors or boils) as the primary physical manifestation of God's judgment. The verb "smote" (וַיַּךְ, _wayyak_, from H5221 _nâkâh_) denotes a direct, forceful blow, underscoring that this was a deliberate act of divine punishment, not a natural occurrence. The humiliation and suffering caused by this specific disease were integral to the judgment, designed to expose the impotence of Dagon and the supremacy of Yahweh.
* **"[even] Ashdod and the coasts thereof":** This final phrase clarifies the expansive scope of the judgment, indicating that the plague was not confined to the city proper but extended to the surrounding territories or borders (H1366 _gᵉbûwl_). This demonstrates the pervasive and inescapable reach of God's wrath, suggesting that the entire region associated with Ashdod, and thus with the profanation of the Ark, fell under God's heavy hand, leaving no doubt about the source and extent of the calamity.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [1 Samuel 5:6](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6 - God's Heavy Hand on Ashdod") employs several potent literary devices to convey its theological message with impactful clarity. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured in the phrase "the hand of the LORD was heavy," attributing a human body part and action (a "heavy hand") to God. This device makes God's powerful and direct intervention more comprehensible and impactful to the human mind, emphasizing His active presence and personal involvement in the affairs of humanity. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play: the Philistines believed they had captured Yahweh by taking His Ark, treating Him as a vanquished deity, but the narrative dramatically reverses this, showing that God was not captured but was actively judging His captors from within their own territory. This ironic reversal highlights God's absolute sovereignty over all human endeavors and pagan deities. Furthermore, the description of the widespread destruction and the specific, humiliating nature of the "emerods" could be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme severity and undeniable nature of the divine judgment, ensuring that the Philistines and the audience understood the gravity of disrespecting God's holiness. The Ark itself functions as a powerful **Symbolism**, representing God's presence and holiness, making its profanation and the subsequent judgment all the more significant as a divine response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 5:6 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God, particularly His holiness, sovereignty, and justice. It reveals that God is not a passive deity confined to a temple or a specific geographical location, nor is He limited by human actions or perceived victories. Even when His people, Israel, failed to defend His honor, God Himself actively intervened to vindicate His name and demonstrate His supreme authority over all false gods and human arrogance. The severe plague inflicted upon Ashdod underscores the inviolability of God's holiness; His presence, even when symbolized by an object like the Ark, cannot be treated with irreverence or contempt without dire consequences. This event powerfully illustrates that God's glory is not to be shared with idols, and He will not tolerate any challenge to His unique position as the one true God. It is a testament to His active involvement in history, ensuring that His purposes are ultimately fulfilled and His glory is upheld, regardless of human faithfulness or unfaithfulness.

* [Psalm 115:3](/psalm/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens")
* [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God's Glory Not Shared")
* [Numbers 16:46-50](/numbers/16-46-50 "Numbers 16:46-50 - Plague After Korah's Rebellion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of God's heavy hand upon Ashdod in 1 Samuel 5:6 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that God is not a tame deity, nor is He a concept to be manipulated or ignored. His holiness is absolute, and His sovereignty is unwavering. For us, this means cultivating a profound reverence for God, understanding that His presence, though unseen, is active and demands our utmost respect and obedience. We must guard against any form of idolatry in our lives, whether it be the worship of material possessions, personal achievements, or even our own opinions, recognizing that anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts is an affront to His glory. This passage calls us to examine our attitudes towards God's commands and His character, prompting us to live in a manner that honors His name and acknowledges His supreme authority. It also offers comfort, knowing that the God who defended His honor so fiercely is the same God who watches over His people, even when circumstances seem dire. His power is not dependent on our strength, but on His own unchangeable nature, providing a foundation of security and trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently treating God's holiness lightly or allowing other "idols" to take His rightful place?**
* **How does the Philistines' experience of God's "heavy hand" shape my understanding of divine justice and the consequences of dishonoring God?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in my daily life and worship, recognizing His active presence and sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What was the nature of the "emerods" that afflicted the Philistines?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "emerods" (_ṭᵉchôr_) refers to painful tumors, boils, or swellings. While some ancient translations and later traditions associate it specifically with hemorrhoids, modern scholarship often interprets it more broadly as a severe and debilitating plague characterized by painful, possibly ulcerating, swellings, similar to bubonic plague. This affliction was not only physically agonizing but also deeply humiliating, consistent with a divine judgment designed to humble those who had profaned God's sacred presence. The severity of the plague is further emphasized by the widespread death it caused, as hinted at in [1 Samuel 5:11](/1_samuel/5-11 "1 Samuel 5:11 - The Philistines' Distress").

**Why did God punish the Philistines so severely for taking the Ark?**

Answer: God's severe punishment of the Philistines was not merely for taking the Ark, but for their profound disrespect and profanation of His holiness and sovereignty. They treated the Ark, which symbolized God's very presence, as a mere war trophy and placed it in the temple of their pagan god, Dagon, as if Dagon had triumphed over Yahweh. This act was a direct affront to God's unique and supreme authority. The escalating judgments—first the humiliation of Dagon in [1 Samuel 5:1-5](/1_samuel/5-1-5 "1 Samuel 5:1-5 - Dagon's Humiliation"), then the plague on Ashdod, and subsequently on Gath and Ekron in [1 Samuel 5:7-12](/1_samuel/5-7-12 "1 Samuel 5:7-12 - The Ark's Journey Among the Philistines")—demonstrated that God is not a localized or defeated deity, but the sovereign Lord who cannot be mocked or contained. His actions underscored His absolute holiness and His intolerance of idolatry and irreverence.

**Does God still act in such direct and physically punishing ways today?**

Answer: While God is unchanging in His character and holiness, His methods of intervention and judgment have evolved, especially after the coming of Christ. In the Old Testament, physical plagues and direct retributions were often visible manifestations of God's justice, serving as clear signs to a people learning about His nature and power and to surrounding nations. In the New Covenant, God's primary mode of dealing with sin and rebellion is through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, offering grace and a call to repentance (e.g., [Acts 17:30](/acts/17-30 "Acts 17:30 - God Commands Repentance")). While direct divine judgment can still occur (e.g., [Acts 5:1-11](/acts/5-1-11 "Acts 5:1-11 - Ananias and Sapphira")), the emphasis is on spiritual transformation and the ultimate, eschatological judgment to come (e.g., [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die Once")). Believers are now called to understand God's holiness through Christ's sacrifice and to live in reverence, rather than primarily fearing immediate physical plagues, though natural consequences of sin and spiritual discipline remain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of God's "heavy hand" on Ashdod in [1 Samuel 5:6](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6 - God's Heavy Hand on Ashdod") finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Ark of the Covenant, representing God's holy presence among His people, foreshadowed Christ, who is the true dwelling place of God among humanity, the very Word made flesh (e.g., [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The judgment on Ashdod for profaning the Ark underscores God's uncompromising holiness and His intolerance of sin and idolatry. This same divine holiness and justice, which demands a perfect response to sin, is fully satisfied not through a plague on humanity, but through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. He became the ultimate object of God's "heavy hand" of judgment against sin, bearing its full weight so that those who believe might be spared (e.g., [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Through His victory over sin and death, Christ disarmed the spiritual powers that held humanity captive, much as God humiliated Dagon and afflicted the Philistines (e.g., [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He is the ultimate High Priest, who, unlike the Old Testament priests, entered the true holy place with His own blood, cleansing us from dead works and making us holy (e.g., [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Cleansing")). Therefore, the terrifying holiness that brought judgment upon Ashdod is now, in Christ, the very source of our reconciliation and peace, allowing us to approach God with confidence, not fear, because His righteous demands have been perfectly met in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

1 Samuel 5:11

So 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.

Deuteronomy 28:27

The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

Exodus 9:3

Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which [is] in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: [there shall be] a very grievous murrain.

Psalms 32:4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Acts 13:11

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Psalms 78:66

And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

1 Samuel 5:7

And when the men of Ashdod saw that [it was] so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.