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.
1 Samuel 5:4 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse describes a significant event in the Bible where the idol of Dagon, a pagan god worshiped by the Philistines, fell face down before the ark of the LORD. This event symbolizes the superiority and power of the one true God over false idols. The fact that Dagon's head and hands were cut off and left on the threshold signifies the complete defeat and humiliation of this false god. The stump left of Dagon further emphasizes the powerlessness of the pagan deity in the presence of the Almighty God. This event serves as a lesson about the futility of worshiping idols and the ultimate victory of the true God. It also highlights the importance of staying faithful to the Lord and not turning to false gods for help or worship. This event showcases the sovereignty and supremacy of God above all other powers, and serves as a reminder of the consequences of worshiping anything other than the one true God.
Theological Overview
One interesting theological interpretation of this verse centers around the defeat of Dagon, the Philistine god, by the God of Israel. The Philistines placed great importance on Dagon, whom they believed to be a powerful deity. However, the narrative in this verse shows Dagon falling prostrate before the ark of the Lord, a symbol of the presence of God. This dramatic display of power by the Lord demonstrates his supremacy over all other gods and asserts his authority as the one true God. The cutting off of Dagon's head and hands symbolizes the total defeat and humiliation of this false god in the presence of the Almighty. It serves as a reminder of the sovereignty and power of God over all things, including the gods of other nations.
1 Samuel 5:4 in other translations
American Standard Version
And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands [lay] cut off upon the threshold; only [the stump of] Dagon was left to him.
World English Bible
When they arose early on the next day morning, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.
Douay-Rheims
And the next day again, when they rose in the morning, they found Dagon lying upon his face on the earth before the ark of the Lord: and the head of Dagon, and both the palms of his hands, were cut off upon the threshold:
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also they rose vp earely in the morning the next day, and beholde, Dagon was fallen vpon his face on the ground before the Arke of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and the two palmes of his hands were cut off vpon the thresholde: onely the stumpe of Dagon was left to him.