1 Samuel 6:5

KJV

Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore ye shall make {H6213} images {H6754} of your emerods {H2914}{H6076}, and images {H6754} of your mice {H5909} that mar {H7843} the land {H776}; and ye shall give {H5414} glory {H3519} unto the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}: peradventure he will lighten {H7043} his hand {H3027} from off you, and from off your gods {H430}, and from off your land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So make models of your tumors and models of your rats that are infesting your land, and show respect to the God of Isra'el. Maybe he will stop oppressing you, your gods and your land.

Berean Standard Bible

Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.

American Standard Version

Wherefore ye shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Samuel 6:5, the Philistine priests and diviners, overwhelmed by divine judgment, advise their leaders on a specific "trespass offering" to appease the God of Israel and alleviate the severe plagues afflicting their land. This counsel includes the creation of golden effigies representing the very afflictions—the painful tumors (emerods) and the destructive mice—along with the astonishing instruction to "give glory unto the God of Israel." This act, rooted in their pagan customs yet undeniably prompted by the overwhelming power of Yahweh, was a desperate attempt to persuade the Israelite God to "lighten his hand" of judgment from them, their false gods, and their ravaged land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative arc spanning from [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Capture of the Ark") to [1 Samuel 7](/1_samuel/7 "1 Samuel 7 - The Return of the Ark and Samuel's Leadership"). Following their capture of the Ark of the Covenant in battle, the Philistines brought it into their territory, believing it a war trophy. However, its presence brought a series of devastating plagues upon their cities, including a painful affliction described as "emerods" (tumors or hemorrhoids) and a destructive infestation of mice that ravaged their crops and land. The preceding chapters detail the humiliation of their god Dagon before the Ark in [1 Samuel 5:1-5](/1_samuel/5-1 "1 Samuel 5:1-5 - Dagon Falls Before the Ark") and the escalating severity of the plagues in [1 Samuel 5:6-12](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6-12 - Plagues on the Philistines"). By [1 Samuel 6](/1_samuel/6 "1 Samuel 6 - The Ark Is Returned"), the Philistine leaders, recognizing the divine origin of these calamities, sought counsel on how to return the Ark and stop the judgment. This advice to create golden effigies of their suffering was a form of votive offering, common in ancient pagan cultures, where representations of a malady were offered to a deity in hopes of relief.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a group of "Sea Peoples" who settled in the southwestern Levant, forming a pentapolis of city-states (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron). Their religious practices, like many ancient Near Eastern cultures, involved polytheism and various forms of appeasement, including votive offerings. It was common practice to offer models or images of body parts that had been healed, or of instruments of affliction, to a deity in gratitude or as a plea for relief. The Philistines' proposal to make golden images of the "emerods" and "mice" aligns with this pagan custom, yet it is uniquely applied to the God of Israel, whom they clearly perceive as a powerful, albeit foreign, deity. The use of gold for these images signifies their value and the seriousness of their plea, reflecting a desperate attempt to mollify a divine power they could not control.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute control, even over pagan nations and their false gods. He uses plagues to display His power and to compel His enemies to acknowledge Him and return His holy Ark, showcasing that His dominion extends beyond Israel's borders. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Involuntary Confession of God's Glory**. The instruction to "give glory unto the God of Israel" is profoundly significant, as it shows that God can force even His adversaries to acknowledge His might and honor His name, even if their understanding of Him is limited or coerced. This is a testament to His undeniable power, which had already caused their idol Dagon to fall repeatedly before the Ark in [1 Samuel 5:3-4](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3-4 - Dagon's Humiliation"). Finally, the Philistines' action, though pagan in origin, touches on the universal human recognition of the need for **Atonement and Appeasement** when faced with severe judgment, foreshadowing the biblical concept of trespass offerings and the need to make restitution for offenses against God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Emerods (Hebrew, _‘ăp̄ōlîm_):** This term refers to tumors, swellings, or boils, often associated with hemorrhoids or buboes, consistent with a severe plague. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translates it as "seats" or "swellings," further suggesting a painful and debilitating skin affliction or internal tumors, possibly linked to bubonic plague which is carried by rodents. The severity of this affliction is emphasized by its widespread impact on the Philistine population.
* **Mice that mar the land (Hebrew, _‘akbārîm mašḥîṯîm ’eṯ hā’āreṣ_):** The term for "mice" likely refers to rats or other destructive rodents, which were known carriers of disease (like the bubonic plague, which would explain the "emerods") and caused widespread agricultural damage. The phrase "mar the land" (from _mashchitim_, "to destroy, ruin, corrupt") emphasizes the devastating and ruinous nature of their infestation, impacting both public health and the economic stability of the Philistine territory.
* **Give glory (Hebrew, _ûntattem kāḇôḏ_):** This phrase means to attribute weight, honor, or importance to someone or something. In this context, it signifies acknowledging the power and supremacy of the God of Israel. Coming from pagan priests advising their leaders to honor Yahweh, it is an extraordinary and coerced confession of His undeniable might, forced upon them by the severity of the divine judgment. It is an admission that the God of Israel is superior to their own deities and is the true source of their suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land;":** This clause outlines the specific components of the Philistines' proposed "trespass offering." It instructs them to create physical representations—golden images—of the two primary afflictions they were suffering: the painful tumors (emerods) and the destructive rodent infestation. This practice was a common pagan votive offering, where a representation of the malady was offered to a deity in hopes of relief or as a sign of gratitude for healing. The use of gold signifies the value and seriousness of their offering, reflecting their desperate desire to appease the powerful God of Israel.
* **"and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel:":** This is a remarkable command, coming from Philistine priests. It signifies a forced acknowledgment of Yahweh's supremacy. Despite their polytheistic beliefs, the Philistines are compelled by the overwhelming evidence of divine judgment to attribute honor and power to the God of Israel. This is not a willing act of worship, but a coerced recognition of His undeniable might and the futility of resisting His hand. It highlights God's ability to compel even His enemies to acknowledge His sovereignty.
* **"peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.":** This final clause states the desired outcome of their offering: the cessation of God's judgment. The phrase "lighten his hand" is an anthropomorphism, attributing a human characteristic (hand) to God, symbolizing His power and judgment. The Philistines hope that by offering these images and giving glory, God will withdraw His punitive hand from their people, their false deities (who proved powerless against Him), and their ravaged land. It reveals their understanding that the plagues were a direct consequence of God's active judgment against them and their actions concerning the Ark.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its theological message. **Irony** is prominent, as the Philistines, the enemies of Israel and worshippers of Dagon, are compelled by divine judgment to acknowledge and "give glory" to Yahweh. Their pagan ritual of votive offerings is paradoxically directed towards the one true God, highlighting His undeniable power over all nations and deities. **Symbolism** is evident in the golden images themselves, which are not merely representations but symbolic offerings meant to convey restitution and appease the divine wrath. The "emerods" and "mice" symbolize the specific nature of God's judgment, while the gold symbolizes the value and seriousness of their desperate plea. Furthermore, **Anthropomorphism** is used with the phrase "lighten his hand," attributing a human hand to God to represent His active power and the withdrawal of His judgment. This vivid imagery makes God's direct involvement in their suffering and His capacity to bring relief tangible and understandable to the Philistines.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Philistines' desperate act in 1 Samuel 6:5, though rooted in pagan custom, profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and His ability to compel even His adversaries to acknowledge His power. Their offering of golden images, while a superstitious attempt at appeasement, underscores a universal human recognition of the need to make restitution when faced with divine judgment. This narrative serves as a powerful testament to the fact that God's glory cannot be contained or ignored, and He will ensure that His name is honored, even if it means forcing the hand of His enemies. It highlights the stark contrast between human attempts at appeasement and God's true requirements for reconciliation, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice.

* [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Power Displayed to Pharaoh")
* [Psalm 9:16](/psalm/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord Is Known by His Justice")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the Philistines' forced acknowledgment of God's power in 1 Samuel 6:5 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark reminder that God's sovereignty extends far beyond our understanding, our control, or even our recognition. He can use any circumstance, even painful and destructive ones, to draw attention to Himself and achieve His divine purposes, compelling both believers and unbelievers to confront His undeniable reality. Just as the Philistines were compelled to recognize Yahweh's authority, we are called to acknowledge His supreme rule in all aspects of our lives, not out of coercion, but out of willing worship and submission. When faced with difficulties or judgments, whether personal or societal, this passage challenges us to examine our relationship with God, to humbly seek His favor, and to understand that true repentance involves more than symbolic offerings; it requires a heart turned towards Him, acknowledging His glory and seeking His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently resisting God's sovereignty, much like the Philistines initially did?**
* **How does God's ability to compel His enemies to acknowledge Him challenge my understanding of His power and justice?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the nature of true repentance and the inadequacy of merely symbolic gestures without genuine heart change?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Philistines make golden images of their afflictions?**

Answer: The Philistines made golden images of their emerods (tumors) and mice as a form of "trespass offering" or votive offering, a common practice in ancient pagan cultures. They believed that by offering a representation of the malady to the deity causing it, they could appease that god and persuade him to remove the affliction. The use of gold signified the value and seriousness of their offering, reflecting their desperate attempt to placate the powerful God of Israel, whom they recognized as the source of their devastating plagues (as seen in [1 Samuel 5:6-12](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6-12 - Plagues on the Philistines")). This act, though rooted in their pagan worldview, was a coerced acknowledgment of God's power and an attempt to make restitution for their offense in capturing the Ark of the Covenant.

**What does it mean for God to "lighten his hand" from off them?**

Answer: The phrase "lighten his hand" is an anthropomorphism, attributing a human characteristic (a hand) to God to symbolize His active power and judgment. In this context, it means for God to withdraw or cease His punitive action and the severe plagues He had inflicted upon the Philistines. The Philistines understood that the "hand" of the God of Israel was heavy upon them, causing the tumors, the destructive mice, and the general devastation. Their hope was that by making the prescribed offering and giving glory to Him, He would lift His judgment and restore peace to their people, their land, and even their gods, who had proven powerless against Yahweh (as demonstrated by Dagon's fall in [1 Samuel 5:3-4](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3-4 - Dagon's Humiliation")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Philistines' desperate attempt to appease the God of Israel through golden images and a coerced acknowledgment of His glory in 1 Samuel 6:5, while pagan in its execution, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect means of atonement found in Jesus Christ. Their "trespass offering" was an imperfect, external act, driven by fear and a limited understanding of God, yet it pointed to a universal human need to reconcile with a holy God when faced with the consequences of sin. Unlike the Philistines' symbolic and ultimately insufficient offerings, Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the true and complete "trespass offering" that genuinely "lightens God's hand" of judgment from humanity. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose shed blood provides the perfect propitiation for our sins (as affirmed in [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")). Through Him, we are not merely hoping "peradventure He will lighten His hand," but we have the certain assurance that God's wrath has been fully satisfied, and we are reconciled to Him, not by our own works or symbolic gestures, but by His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (as beautifully articulated in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us")).

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

Joshua 7:19

And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

1 Samuel 5:6

¶ 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.

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.

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.

1 Samuel 5:3

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.

1 Samuel 5:4

And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon [was] fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands [were] cut off upon the threshold; only [the stump of] Dagon was left to him.

John 9:24

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.