1 Samuel 5:3

1 Samuel 5:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version 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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And when the people of Ashdod got up early on the morning after, they saw that Dagon had come down to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon up and put him in his place again.

Free Bible Version FBV

When the people of Ashdod got up early the next day, they saw Dagon had fallen on his face in front of the Ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him back up.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And when they of Ashdod rose the next day in the morning, beholde, Dagon was fallen vpon his face on the ground before the Arke of the Lord, and they tooke vp Dagon, and set him in his place againe.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the Ashdodites rise early on the morrow, and lo, Dagon is fallen on its face to the earth, before the ark of Jehovah; and they take Dagon, and put it back to its place.

World English Bible WEB

When the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the LORD’s ark. They took Dagon and set him in his place again.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And when the Azotians arose early the next day, behold Dagon lay upon his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord: and they took Dagon, and set him again in his place.

Translation for Translators T4T

But early the next morning, when the people of Ashdod went to see it, they saw that the statue had fallen on its face in front of Yahweh’s sacred chest! So they set the statue up in its place again.

Plain English Version PEV

The next morning, the Ashdod mob got up, and they saw their statue. It lay on the ground on its belly in front of God’s special box. So they stood it up again.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 5:3

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Samuel 5:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יַּשְׁכִּ֤מוּ אַשְׁדּוֹדִים֙ מִֽ/מָּחֳרָ֔ת וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה דָג֗וֹן נֹפֵ֤ל לְ/פָנָי/ו֙ אַ֔רְצָ/ה לִ/פְנֵ֖י אֲר֣וֹן יְהוָ֑ה וַ/יִּקְחוּ֙ אֶת דָּג֔וֹן וַ/יָּשִׁ֥בוּ אֹת֖/וֹ לִ/מְקוֹמֽ/וֹ

וַ/יַּשְׁכִּ֤מוּ shâkam H7925 to rise Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp

אַשְׁדּוֹדִים֙ ʼAshdôwdîy H796 Ashdod Ngmpa

מִֽ/מָּחֳרָ֔ת mochŏrâth H4283 morrow Prep | N-fs

וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה hinnêh H2009 behold Conj | Part

דָג֗וֹן Dâgôwn H1712 Dagon N-proper

נֹפֵ֤ל nâphal H5307 to fall V-Qal

לְ/פָנָי/ו֙ pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

אַ֔רְצָ/ה ʼerets H776 land N-cs | Suff

לִ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp

אֲר֣וֹן ʼârôwn H727 ark N-cs

יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

וַ/יִּקְחוּ֙ lâqach H3947 to take Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

דָּג֔וֹן Dâgôwn H1712 Dagon N-proper

וַ/יָּשִׁ֥בוּ shûwb H7725 to return Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp

אֹת֖/וֹ ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff

לִ/מְקוֹמֽ/וֹ mâqôwm H4725 place Prep | N-ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 5:3

וַ/יַּשְׁכִּ֤מוּ shâkam H7925 "to rise" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp

This verb means to rise or start early, like loading up a burden. It is used in Genesis to describe early morning activities.

Definition: 1) to rise or start early 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to rise early, make an early start 1a2) early (as adverb)

Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: (arise, be up, get (oneself) up, rise up) early (betimes), morning. See also: Genesis 19:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 127:2.

אַשְׁדּוֹדִים֙ ʼAshdôwdîy H796 "Ashdod" Ngmpa

An Ashdodite is someone from the city of Ashdod, which was a major city in the Philistine nation. The city's name means 'I will spoil' and its people are often mentioned in the book of Nehemiah.

Definition: Ashdodite = "I will spoil" an inhabitant of Ashdod Another spelling of ash.dod (אַשְׁדּוֹד "Ashdod" H0795)

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Ashdodites, of Ashdod. See also: Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 5:6; Nehemiah 13:23.

מִֽ/מָּחֳרָ֔ת mochŏrâth H4283 "morrow" Prep | N-fs

This word means tomorrow or the next day, referring to a future time. It appears in several places in the Bible, including Genesis 30:33 and Exodus 16:23, where it is used to make promises or give instructions for the next day.

Definition: the morrow, the day after

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: morrow, next day. See also: Genesis 19:34; Judges 6:38; Jeremiah 20:3.

וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה hinnêh H2009 "behold" Conj | Part

This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.

Definition: behold, lo, see, if

Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.

דָג֗וֹן Dâgôwn H1712 "Dagon" N-proper

Dagon was a pagan god worshipped by the Philistines, often depicted as a half-man, half-fish. In 1 Samuel 5:2, the Philistines placed the Ark of the Covenant in Dagon's temple, but God caused the idol to fall. The Philistines then returned the Ark to the Israelites.

Definition: § Dagon = "a fish" a Philistine deity of fertility; represented with the face and hands of a man and the tail of a fish

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Dagon. See also: Judges 16:23; 1 Samuel 5:4; 1 Chronicles 10:10.

נֹפֵ֤ל nâphal H5307 "to fall" V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.

Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall

Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.

לְ/פָנָי/ו֙ pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

אַ֔רְצָ/ה ʼerets H776 "land" N-cs | Suff

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

לִ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

אֲר֣וֹן ʼârôwn H727 "ark" N-cs

The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.

Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.

יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

וַ/יִּקְחוּ֙ lâqach H3947 "to take" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.

Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)

Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

דָּג֔וֹן Dâgôwn H1712 "Dagon" N-proper

Definition: § Dagon = "a fish" a Philistine deity of fertility; represented with the face and hands of a man and the tail of a fish

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Dagon. See also: Judges 16:23; 1 Samuel 5:4; 1 Chronicles 10:10.

וַ/יָּשִׁ֥בוּ shûwb H7725 "to return" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.

Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.

אֹת֖/וֹ ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

לִ/מְקוֹמֽ/וֹ mâqôwm H4725 "place" Prep | N-ms | Suff

Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.

Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of

Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 5:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Samuel 5:3 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 5:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 5:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 5:3
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3
Sermons on 1 Samuel 5:3

Context — The Ark Afflicts the Philistines

1After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, 2carried it into the temple of Dagon, and set it beside his statue.

3When 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.

4But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained. 5That 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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 19:1	This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.
2	Isaiah 46:1–2	Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.
3	Isaiah 46:7	They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.
4	Mark 3:11	And when the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, “You are the Son of God!”
5	Luke 10:18–20	So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
6	Zephaniah 2:11	The LORD will be terrifying to them when He starves all the gods of the earth. Then the nations of every shore will bow in worship to Him, each in its own place.
7	2 Corinthians 6:14–16	Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
8	Psalms 97:7	All worshipers of images are put to shame— those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!
9	Isaiah 44:17–20	From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.” They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
10	Jeremiah 10:8	But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!

1 Samuel 5:3 Summary

This verse shows what happened when the people of Ashdod woke up to find their idol, Dagon, fallen on the ground before the ark of the LORD. They tried to put Dagon back in his place, but this event reveals that God is more powerful than any idol. As we read in Psalm 115:3-8, idols are just man-made objects, but God is the living God who is worthy of our worship. This story encourages us to recognize God's power and authority, and to give Him the reverence and worship He deserves, just as we see in Revelation 4:11 where all creatures worship God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the people of Ashdod put Dagon back in his place after finding him fallen before the ark of the LORD?

The people of Ashdod likely put Dagon back in his place because they were trying to restore their idol to its former glory, not yet understanding the power of the God of Israel, as seen in Exodus 12:12 where God strikes down the gods of Egypt.

What does this verse reveal about the nature of God?

This verse reveals that God is a God of power and authority, who will not be ignored or rivaled by idols, as stated in Isaiah 46:5-7 where God says He will not be compared to idols.

How does this event relate to the worship of God in the Bible?

This event shows that the worship of God is not to be taken lightly, and that He will not tolerate the presence of idols, as seen in Deuteronomy 13:6-10 where God commands the Israelites to destroy idols and follow Him alone.

What can we learn from the people of Ashdod's response to the fallen Dagon?

We can learn that the people of Ashdod were slow to recognize the power of God, and instead tried to maintain their own idolatrous practices, a mistake we can avoid by seeking to understand and obey God's word, as encouraged in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Reflection Questions

What are some 'idols' in my life that I need to remove, in order to give God the worship and reverence He deserves?
How can I apply the lesson of Dagon's fall to my own life, in terms of recognizing and submitting to God's authority?
What are some ways that I can ensure that I am giving God the preeminence in my life, and not allowing other things to take His place?
How does the image of Dagon fallen before the ark of the LORD challenge my own understanding of God's power and majesty?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 5:3

And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, e.] Either the people, the inhabitants of the place, who came early to pay their devotions to their idol, before they went on their business or the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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. They of Ashdod arose early.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3

They of Ashdod, i.e. the priests of Dagon. Arose early on the morrow; either to worship Dagon according to their manner, or being curious and greedy to know whether the neighbourhood of the ark to Dagon had made any alteration in either of them, that if Dagon had received any damage, they might, if possibly they could, repair it, before it came to the people’ s knowledge, as indeed they did, to prevent their contempt of that idol, by which the priests had all their reputation and advantage. Set him in his place again; supposing or pretending that his fall was wholly casual.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3

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.Ver. 3. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow,] viz., To their devotions, the fittest time for which the heathens generally held to be the top of the morning: for they thought that the gods sat in their temples, and waited for their morning salutations. Behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth.] Before the Lord, who seemed to be asleep all this while, as David elegantly speaketh in Psalms 78:65-66, but now showeth his power, by beating Dagon upon his own dunghill, and smiting his worshippers on their hinder parts, paying their posteriors, as men use to deal by puny boys. Before the ark of the Lord.] Who endureth not a co-rival. There is a tradition, that when the child Jesus came into Egypt, all the idols of that nation fell to the ground: according to that of the psalmist, "Worship him, all ye gods." Sure it is, that when Christ, of whom the ark was a type, came in the flesh and sent abroad the gospel, thereby "bringing life and immortality to light," the oracles of Apollo and other heathen idols ceased. Plutarch sweateth in giving some fond reasons of that sudden deep silence among their deities: but the truth is, Christ was "come a light into the world, that whosoever believed on him should not abide in darkness."

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3

(3) Dagon was fallen upon his face.—This Dagon was one of the chief Philistine deities, and had temples not only in Ashdod and in Gaza, but in the cities of Philistia. (See St. Jerome on Isaiah 46:1.) The idol had a human head and hands, and the body of a fish. Philo derives the word Dagon from dagan, “corn,” and supposes the worship to have been connected with Nature worship. The true derivation, however, is from Dag, a fish, which represents the sea from which the Philistines drew their wealth and power. In one of the bas-reliefs discovered at Khorsabad, and which, Layard states, represents the war of an Assyrian king—probably Sargon—with the inhabitants of the coast of Syria, a figure is seen swimming in the sea, with the upper part of the body resembling a bearded man wearing the ordinary conical tiara of royalty, adorned with elephants’ tusks, and the lower part re sembling the body of a fish. It has the hand lifted up, as if in astonishment or fear, and is surrounded by fishes, crabs, and other marine animals. “There can be hardly any doubt,” argues Keil, “that we have here a representation of the Philistine Dagon. This deity was a personification of the generative and vivifying principle of nature, for which the fish, with its innumerable multiplication, was specially adapted, and set forth the idea of the Giver of all earthly good.” This strange image the men of Ashdod, on the morrow of their triumphal offering of the Ark of the Lord before the idol shrine, found prostrate on the temple floor, before the desecrated sacred coffer of the Israelites. They at once assumed that this had taken place owing to some accident, and they raised again the image to its place.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3

Verse 3. They of Ashdod arose early on the morrow] Probably to perform some act of their superstition in the temple of their idol. Dagon was fallen upon his face] This was one proof, which they little expected, of the superiority of the God of Israel. Set him in his place again.] Supposing his fall might have been merely accidental.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 5:3

3. Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth] In the attitude of homage to the ark. Jehovah does not leave the Philistines to fancy that their god has conquered Him. He will shew that He is “the living God.” “The idols shall be moved at his presence” (Isaiah 19:1).

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 5:3

3. Dagon… fallen upon his face… before the ark — Not only will Jehovah not give his glory to another, nor his praise to graven images, but he will make idols themselves fall before him, (comp.

Sermons on 1 Samuel 5:3

	Sermon	Description
	Dagon Was Fallen Upon His Face to the Earth by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes the confrontation between the Ark of the Lord and the idol Dagon, illustrating the supremacy of Jehovah over false gods. The fall of Dagon symbolizes the inev
	Our Daily Homily - 1 Samuel by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes the transformative power of pouring out one's soul to God, as exemplified by Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel. He illustrates how this act of surrender leads to di
	Arab-02 Egypt - My People by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker discusses a revelation from Egypt, where the Lord is seen riding on a fast cloud. The idols of Egypt rise from his face, causing the heart of Egypt to m
	(Isaiah) Judgment of the Nations by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the fall of Babylon as described in the book of Isaiah. He emphasizes the vividness and power of God's word, which conveys the panic and terr
	A Highway Out of Egypt! by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson delivers a powerful sermon titled 'A Highway Out of Egypt!' where he expounds on Isaiah 19's prophecy, emphasizing God's promise to bring back lost children and bac
	Isaiah and the Nations by A.B. Simpson	A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of understanding Isaiah's prophecies in the context of the surrounding nations that influenced Israel's history. He explains how Judah and
	Isaiah Chapter 5 Isaiah and the Nations by A.B. Simpson	A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of understanding the geopolitical context of Isaiah's prophecies, particularly the neighboring nations that influenced Israel and Judah. He