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 5:3 · King James Version
Meaning
After the Philistines captured the Ark of the Lord, they placed it in the temple of their god, Dagon. However, the next morning, they found that the statue of Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark. This event was interpreted as a sign of the power and superiority of the Lord over the false god Dagon. The Philistines, in response, set the statue back in its place, but the following day, they discovered that it had fallen again, this time broken into pieces. This incident served as a clear demonstration that the Lord was the one true God and that no other gods could stand before Him. The verse highlights the futility of worshiping idols and emphasizes the supremacy of the Lord. It also serves as a warning to those who try to place anything above or equal to God.
Theological Overview
One interesting theological interpretation of the verse in 1 Samuel 5:3 is the concept of idolatry and the power of the one true God. The verse describes how the idol Dagon fell face down before the ark of the Lord, demonstrating the supremacy of the Lord over false gods. This event not only showcases the physical power of God, as Dagon was unable to stand in the presence of the ark, but also highlights the futility of worshipping idols made by human hands. The incident served as a clear sign to the people of Ashdod that their false god was powerless in comparison to the almighty God of Israel. Through this event, the biblical text emphasizes the importance of recognizing and worshipping the one true God, who is worthy of all reverence and praise.
1 Samuel 5:3 in other translations
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible
When they of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark. They took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
Douay-Rheims
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
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.