1 Samuel 5:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the men {H582} of Ashdod {H795} saw {H7200} that it was so, they said {H559}, The ark {H727} of the God {H430} of Israel {H3478} shall not abide {H3427} with us: for his hand {H3027} is sore {H7185} upon us, and upon Dagon {H1712} our god {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the people of Ashdod came to understand what was happening, they said, "The ark of the God of Isra'el can't remain with us, because he is oppressing us and our god Dagon."

Berean Standard Bible

And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 5:7 records the pivotal moment when the Philistine inhabitants of Ashdod, witnessing the devastating effects of the Ark of the Covenant's presence—the repeated humiliation of their god Dagon and a severe plague upon themselves—collectively concluded that the Ark of the God of Israel could not remain among them. This verse encapsulates their forced recognition of Yahweh's overwhelming power and sovereign judgment, compelling them to seek the Ark's removal from their city.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point within the narrative of the Ark's capture and its subsequent journey through Philistine territory, detailed in [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Ark Captured") and [1 Samuel 5](/1_samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark in Philistia"). Following the disastrous battle where Israel lost the Ark to the Philistines ([1 Samuel 4:10-11](/1_samuel/4-10 "1 Samuel 4:10-11 - Israel Defeated, Ark Captured")), the Philistines brought it to Ashdod and placed it triumphantly in the temple of their chief deity, Dagon ([1 Samuel 5:1-2](/1_samuel/5-1 "1 Samuel 5:1-2 - Ark in Dagon's Temple")). The immediate preceding verses ([1 Samuel 5:3-5](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3-5 - Dagon's Humiliation")) graphically describe Dagon's repeated and increasingly severe prostration and dismemberment before the Ark, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy over false gods. Simultaneously, a severe plague, likely of tumors or hemorrhoids, began to afflict the people of Ashdod ([1 Samuel 5:6](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6 - Plague in Ashdod")). Verse 7 marks the Ashdodites' collective realization that these events were not coincidental but were direct divine judgment, necessitating the Ark's immediate removal.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a powerful seafaring people who settled in the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan, forming a pentapolis of five major cities: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza. Their religion involved the worship of various deities, with Dagon being a prominent god, often depicted with a human upper body and a fish-like lower body, associated with grain and fertility. In the ancient Near East, the capture of an enemy's god or cultic object (like the Ark) was seen as a sign of the victor's god being superior. The Philistines' act of placing the Ark in Dagon's temple was a symbolic declaration of Dagon's victory over Yahweh. However, Yahweh's actions in Ashdod dramatically subverted this understanding, demonstrating His unique power and refusal to be subjugated or contained by pagan systems. The concept of a deity's "hand" (e.g., "his hand is sore upon us") was a common ancient Near Eastern idiom signifying divine power, action, or judgment, whether for blessing or curse.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **unchallengeable sovereignty of God**, demonstrating that Yahweh's power is not limited by human capture or physical location. Even when seemingly imprisoned, God actively asserts His dominion over all creation, including pagan deities and nations. Secondly, it highlights the **futility and impotence of idolatry**. Dagon, a revered Philistine god, is shown to be utterly powerless and even destroyed in the presence of the true God, serving as a stark reminder of the vanity of worshipping man-made images, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Vanity of Idols"). Thirdly, the passage emphasizes **divine judgment** against those who disrespect God's holiness or attempt to profane His presence. The afflictions upon Ashdod were a direct consequence of their actions, illustrating that God's "hand" can bring severe discipline. Finally, it portrays the **forced recognition of Yahweh's power** even by His enemies. The Philistines, though pagan, were compelled by direct experience to acknowledge the terrifying reality of Yahweh's active presence and power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sore (Hebrew, _kâbĕdâ_):** This verb, derived from the root כָּבֵד (kaved), literally means "to be heavy," "to be weighty," or "to be grievous." In this context, it signifies the severity, oppressiveness, and burdensome nature of the divine judgment. It implies a profound and painful affliction that was not merely discomfort but a crushing burden, compelling the Philistines to acknowledge its source and act decisively. The "heaviness" of God's hand denotes the overwhelming and undeniable force of His judgment.
* **abide (Hebrew, _yēšēḇ_):** This verb means "to sit," "to dwell," or "to reside." When the men of Ashdod declare that the Ark "shall not abide with us," they are expressing a desire for its permanent removal. It's not just a temporary inconvenience they wish to alleviate, but a recognition that the Ark's very presence, its dwelling among them, is incompatible with their well-being and the existence of their own god. It implies a fundamental incompatibility between the holy presence of Yahweh and the idolatrous environment of Ashdod.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the men of Ashdod saw that [it was] so":** This opening clause emphasizes the Philistines' direct observation and empirical evidence. They were not acting on rumor or speculation but on undeniable, repeated, and devastating facts: Dagon's repeated collapse and destruction, and the widespread, painful plague affecting their city. The phrase "that [it was] so" points to the undeniable reality of the events described in [1 Samuel 5:1-6](/1_samuel/5-1 "1 Samuel 5:1-6 - Dagon's Fall and Ashdod's Plague").
* **"they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us":** This represents a collective, communal decision, indicating a unanimous understanding of the dire situation. Their statement is a direct and forceful rejection of the Ark's continued presence. They recognize the Ark as belonging to "the God of Israel," a significant acknowledgment from a pagan people, even if born of fear. The phrase "shall not abide with us" signifies their desperate desire for its permanent removal, recognizing that its dwelling among them is unsustainable.
* **"for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god":** This clause provides the explicit reasoning for their decision. The conjunction "for" introduces the cause. They attribute both their own suffering ("upon us") and the humiliation of their deity ("upon Dagon our god") directly to the active, powerful "hand" of the God of Israel. This is a profound theological admission from a pagan perspective, acknowledging Yahweh's direct intervention and superior power over both human beings and their most revered idol. The dual impact—on the people and their god—underscores the comprehensive nature of Yahweh's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as the Ark, captured as a trophy of war by the Philistines, ironically becomes an instrument of divine judgment against them and their god, turning their supposed victory into a humiliating defeat. The Philistines intended to subjugate Yahweh, but He instead subjugated them. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "his hand is sore upon us," where God's abstract power and judgment are attributed a physical "hand," making the divine action tangible and immediate. This anthropomorphism vividly portrays the direct and heavy impact of God's intervention. Furthermore, the narrative uses **Repetition** in the description of Dagon's successive falls ([1 Samuel 5:3-4](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3-4 - Dagon's Repeated Humiliation")), building a sense of escalating divine power and the inevitability of Dagon's destruction, leading to the Ashdodites' realization in verse 7. The entire episode also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and His ability to defend His honor and people, even when they appear weak or defeated.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 5:7 is a powerful testament to the absolute sovereignty and uniqueness of the God of Israel. It demonstrates that Yahweh is not a regional deity whose power is limited by geography or human manipulation, nor is He merely one god among many. Instead, He is the living God who actively intervenes in human affairs, asserting His supremacy over all false gods and their worshippers. This episode underscores the inherent conflict between the holiness of God and the idolatry of humanity. God's presence, represented by the Ark, brings blessing and life to those who honor Him but judgment and destruction to those who profane His name or challenge His authority. The Philistines' reluctant acknowledgment of Yahweh's power, born of their suffering, serves as a universal warning against the futility of idolatry and the grave consequences of resisting the true God.

* [Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Exodus 12:12 - Judgment on Egypt's Gods"): "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD."
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Impotence of Idols"): "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them."
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry"): This passage vividly mocks the absurdity of idol worship, contrasting the lifelessness of carved images with the living God who creates and sustains.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of the Ark in Philistia, culminating in the Ashdodites' desperate plea in 1 Samuel 5:7, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's sovereignty is absolute and cannot be contained, manipulated, or challenged by human efforts or false ideologies. Just as the Philistines attempted to subjugate God's presence by placing the Ark in Dagon's temple, we too can inadvertently try to fit God into our own preconceived notions, cultural systems, or personal comfort zones. This passage calls us to examine our lives for any "idols"—whether they be wealth, power, reputation, self-sufficiency, or even relationships—that we might be elevating to a position that rivals God's rightful place. When anything else occupies the throne of our hearts, it inevitably leads to spiritual "soreness" and affliction, as the true God will not share His glory. The Ashdodites' fear-driven recognition of God's power challenges us to cultivate a reverent awe of God, understanding that His "hand," whether in blessing or discipline, is always purposeful and ultimately for His glory and our good. We are called to surrender fully to His authority, acknowledging that true peace and flourishing come only when God alone abides supremely in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or competing loyalties in my life might be challenging God's supreme authority, and how might His "hand" be revealing their futility?**
* **How does my understanding of God's sovereignty impact my response to difficult circumstances or perceived defeats in my life?**
* **In what ways might I be trying to "contain" or "manage" God, rather than allowing His holy presence to transform me?**
* **What does it mean for God's "hand" to be "sore" upon me, and how can I discern His loving discipline from mere hardship?**

### FAQ
**What was Dagon, and why was his humiliation significant?**

Answer: Dagon was a prominent Philistine deity, often depicted as a fish-god (from the Hebrew word _dag_ meaning "fish," though some scholars link it to _dagan_ meaning "grain," suggesting a fertility god). His humiliation, described in [1 Samuel 5:3-5](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3-5 - Dagon's Fall"), was profoundly significant because it directly challenged the Philistine worldview and their understanding of divine power. In the ancient Near East, the capture of a rival nation's god or sacred object symbolized the victory of the conquering god. By placing the Ark in Dagon's temple, the Philistines intended to show Dagon's supremacy over Yahweh. However, Dagon's repeated prostration and eventual dismemberment before the Ark demonstrated Yahweh's absolute sovereignty and the utter impotence of false gods. It was a clear, undeniable declaration that the God of Israel was the one true God, and all other deities were powerless before Him.

**What was the "sore hand" affliction that befell the men of Ashdod?**

Answer: The text in [1 Samuel 5:6](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6 - Ashdod's Affliction") describes the affliction as "emerods" (KJV) or "tumors" (NIV/ESV). The Hebrew word used is _`ophalim_ (עֳפָלִים), which refers to swellings or tumors, often associated with the groin or anus, consistent with hemorrhoids or possibly bubonic plague (which causes swollen lymph nodes, or buboes). Regardless of the exact medical diagnosis, the description implies a painful, disfiguring, and likely debilitating condition that spread among the population. The phrase "his hand is sore upon us" (1 Samuel 5:7) clearly indicates that the Philistines understood this affliction to be a direct, heavy, and severe judgment from the God of Israel, not a random occurrence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the Ark in Philistia, particularly the Philistines' reluctant acknowledgment of God's overwhelming power in 1 Samuel 5:7, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Ark symbolized God's presence and holiness, a presence that was both a source of blessing and a terrifying judgment to those who defiled it. In Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical object or a temple, but is fully embodied in a person. Jesus is the true Ark, the dwelling place of God among humanity, as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Just as the Ark exposed the impotence of Dagon, Christ's coming exposed the futility of all false gods, human systems, and the power of sin and death. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus decisively defeated the spiritual powers that held humanity captive, just as God's "hand" was "sore" upon Dagon and the Philistines. The cross, seemingly a defeat, was in fact the ultimate victory where Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the one whose holy presence brings judgment to sin but offers grace and reconciliation to those who humble themselves and believe, inviting us to "abide" in Him, not in fear, but in life-giving union ([John 15:4](/john/15-4 "John 15:4 - Abide in Me")).

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 12:33

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We [be] all dead [men].

Jeremiah 46:25

The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:

1 Samuel 4:8

Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these [are] the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.

Exodus 8:8

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

Exodus 8:28

And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.

Exodus 10:7

And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

Jeremiah 48:7

For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together.