The Ark Brings Judgment in Philistine Cities
1 Samuel 5:1-12
1 S.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN_PROP,m,pl,abs
- לקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויבאהו: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,3,mp
- מאבן: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- העזר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשדודה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:11 (verbal): Immediate precursor to 1 Sam 5:1 — reports Israel’s defeat and explicitly states that the ark of God was captured, providing the background for the Philistines taking the ark.
- 1 Samuel 5:6–7 (structural): Direct continuation of the same episode: describes the calamities (tumors, Dagon’s fall) that befall Ashdod after the Philistines bring the ark there.
- 1 Samuel 6:1–6 (thematic): Resolution of the ark’s presence among the Philistines — recounts their decision to send the ark back to Israel after consulting priests and experiencing plagues.
- 2 Samuel 6:3–8 (thematic): Later Israelite episode about transporting the ark (Uzzah’s death) that echoes concerns about proper handling and the holy status of the ark highlighted by its capture and mistreatment in Philistine hands.
- Exodus 25:10–16 (allusion): Divine instructions for the construction and transport of the ark (including poles), which illuminate why the ark’s capture, movement, and care are theologically and ritually significant in the Samuel narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
- The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon in Ashdod.
1 S.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויביאו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויציגו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אצל: PREP
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:11 (structural): Narrative precursor: reports the defeat of Israel and the Philistines' capture of the ark, which explains how the Philistines came to possess it.
- 1 Samuel 5:3–5 (verbal): Immediate literary continuation: describes how the image of Dagon falls and is broken in the presence of the ark—directly related to placing the ark beside Dagon.
- 1 Samuel 6:1–9 (structural): Narrative aftermath: the Philistines suffer plagues and ultimately decide to return the ark to Israel, completing the episode begun with the ark's being taken to Dagon's house.
- Isaiah 46:1–2 (thematic): Thematic parallel about the impotence of idols: Bel and Nebo bow and are carried away, underscoring the biblical motif that foreign gods are powerless before Yahweh, as illustrated by Dagon’s humiliation.
- Judges 16:23–30 (thematic): Philistine temple scene where a pagan sanctuary is struck down—the episode thematically parallels the confrontation between Yahweh and Philistine religion and the collapse of pagan power in the presence of Israel’s God.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon; they set it beside Dagon.
- They placed the ark of God in Dagon’s house and set it beside Dagon.
1 S.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אשדודים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ממחרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- למקומו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam 5:4 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation describing Dagon fallen again with his head and hands broken off — the direct follow-up to v.3's report that the statue had been set back in its place.
- 1 Sam 6:1–6 (structural): Narrative aftermath in which the Philistines experience further afflictions and debate how to return the ark — develops the consequences introduced by Dagon’s fall before the ark.
- Judges 16:30 (thematic): Samson’s pulling down of the Philistine temple (site of Dagon worship) evokes the theme of a defeated Philistine god and the collapse of a sanctuary before Israel’s God.
- Isaiah 46:1–2 (thematic): Prophetic taunt against Babylonian idols (Bel and Nebo) ‘bowing’ and being carried — similar motif of pagan deities unable to stand or protect themselves before YHWH.
- Psalm 115:4–8 (thematic): Poetic contrast between living God and powerless idols whose makers are like them — parallels the image of Dagon fallen and incapacitated before the ark.
Alternative generated candidates
- Early the next morning the men of Ashdod rose, and behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. They took Dagon and put him back in his place.
- When the men of Ashdod rose early the next morning, behold, Dagon lay fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set him back in his place.
1 S.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בבקר: PREP
- ממחרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- כפות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
- כרתות: ADJ,f,pl
- אל: NEG
- המפתן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- רק: PRT
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשאר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.5:3 (verbal): Earlier line in the same episode—reports Dagon fallen on his face before the ark; closely parallels the description of the statue’s collapse.
- 1 Sam.5:5 (structural): Immediate repetition/continuation of the episode: after Dagon is set up again, the next morning his head and hands are found cut off—same motif of the idol’s humiliation.
- Ps.115:4-8 (thematic): Contrasts the impotence of idols (they have mouths but do not speak; those who make them become like them) with Yahweh’s power—echoes the theme of a defeated, disabled god-figure.
- Isa.46:1-2 (thematic): Images of Bel and Nebo bowing and stooping and being carried but unable to save themselves echo the motif of fallen, powerless deities exposed by Yahweh’s supremacy.
- Exod.12:12 (thematic): Statement that God will execute judgment against the gods of Egypt reflects the wider theological theme in 1 Samuel 5: Yahweh’s acts demonstrate his superiority over foreign deities.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when they rose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and the two palms of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold—only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.
- But when they rose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD again; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were severed on the threshold—only the stump of Dagon was left.
1 S.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידרכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כהני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הבאים: PART,qal,ptcp,masc,pl,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- מפתן: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באשדוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 5:2-4 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the statue of Dagon falls and is broken before the ark, explaining why the priests and worshipers thereafter avoid the temple threshold.
- 1 Samuel 6:2-9 (structural): The Philistines' subsequent fear and actions regarding the ark (consulting priests/diviners and arranging its return) continue the same episode and show the ongoing dread tied to Dagon's house in Ashdod.
- Judges 16:23-30 (allusion): A later scene set in the Philistine temple (a house of a deity, here Dagon) where a god's house becomes the scene of humiliation and destruction, paralleling the motif of a deity's cultic site overturned.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Condemns the impotence of idols—carved images that cannot speak or stand—echoing the theme of Dagon's humiliation and inability to resist Yahweh's power.
- Isaiah 44:9-20 (thematic): A prophetic denunciation of idol-making and the futility of gods fashioned by human hands, thematically parallel to the narrative portrayal of Dagon as powerless before Israel's God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon's house tread on Dagon's threshold in Ashdod to this day.
- Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who enter Dagon’s house in Ashdod tread on Dagon’s threshold to this day.
1 S.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותכבד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- האשדודים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וישמם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- בטחרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אשדוד: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- גבוליה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 6:4-12 (structural): Direct continuation and parallel account of the same episode: the Philistines afflicted with tumors (emerods) and the decision to send the ark back with a guilt offering of golden tumors and mice.
- Exodus 9:9-11 (thematic): God inflicts physical sores/boils on humans and animals as a direct act of judgment — a similar motif of disease used by YHWH to punish and compel action.
- Acts 12:23 (thematic): Herod is struck down and 'eaten by worms' as divine punishment for failing to honor God—another instance of sudden, deadly physical affliction as God's judgment.
- 2 Samuel 24:15 (thematic): A plague sent by the LORD strikes the people as divine punishment; parallels the motif of the 'hand of the LORD' bringing widespread affliction on a population.
Alternative generated candidates
- The hand of the LORD was heavy upon the men of Ashdod; he afflicted them and laid heavy tumors upon Ashdod and its territory.
- The hand of the LORD was heavy upon the men of Ashdod; he humbled them and afflicted them, and he struck them with tumors in Ashdod and its territory.
1 S.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אשדוד: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- כן: ADV
- ואמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- קשתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- דגון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 6:9 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel — the Philistines (and later Israelite towns) conclude the ark must not remain among them because it brings death and calamity (same storyline and conclusion as 1 Sam 5:7).
- Exodus 9:3 (verbal): Uses the same idiom of God’s active agency—'the hand of the LORD is upon'—in the context of divinely sent affliction, echoing the Philistines' attribution of their suffering to God’s hand.
- Joshua 2:9-11 (thematic): Foreigners acknowledge Yahweh’s unique power and fear the consequences of opposing him (Rahab declares Israel’s God is Lord of heaven and earth), paralleling Ashdodites’ recognition of Israel’s God.
- 2 Samuel 6:8 (thematic): David’s fear and question about how the ark can come to him reflect the same apprehension about the ark’s dangerous power and God’s wrath that motivates the Philistines/Ashdodites to reject its presence.
- 1 Chronicles 13:12-13 (structural): Parallel retelling of the ark narrative in Chronicles: the ark’s presence provokes divine displeasure/incident (Uzza) and leads to decisions about its placement, mirroring the causal link between the ark and calamity in 1 Sam 5:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the men of Ashdod saw what had happened they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard upon us and upon Dagon our god.”
- When the men of Ashdod saw it, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not remain with us, for his hand is hard upon us and upon Dagon our god.”
1 S.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויאספו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- סרני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- לארון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- גת: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- יסב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויסבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:11 (structural): Describes the capture of the ark by the Philistines—background event that makes the Philistine leaders' decision about the ark necessary.
- 1 Samuel 5:1 (verbal): Immediate narrative context: the Philistines place the ark in Dagon's temple at Ashdod, setting off the crises that lead them to move the ark to other cities.
- 1 Samuel 6:1-6 (structural): Continues the Philistine handling of the ark—reports how the ark is moved among Philistine cities and how they seek to rid themselves of it, including protocols for sending it back to Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 13:6-9 (thematic): Parallel theme of moving/transporting the ark and the dangers of improper handling (Uzzah's death in Chronicles echoes the risks associated with relocating the ark).
Alternative generated candidates
- They sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be moved to Gath.” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.
- They sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be taken to Gath.” So they sent the ark of the God of Israel to Gath.
1 S.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- הסבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מהומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- ויך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מקטן: PREP,ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וישתרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- טחרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 5:6 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same episode: explicitly reports ‘the hand of the LORD’ against Ashdod and that the men were afflicted with tumors — the same divine action and disease motif as v.9.
- 1 Samuel 6:3-5 (thematic): Continuation of the narrative: the Philistines recognize the calamity (tumors) as caused by the Ark, consult diviners, and decide how to send the Ark away — explains their response to the panic and afflictions.
- 1 Samuel 6:17 (structural): Philistines send votive offerings shaped like tumors and mice; this materializes the specific afflictions named in 5:9 and functions as a literary/ritual resolution to the plague motif.
- 2 Samuel 6:7 (cf. 1 Chronicles 13:10) (thematic): God’s direct, punitive action connected to the Ark: Uzzah is struck for irreverent contact with the ark. Parallel in how divine ‘hand’ acts decisively around the ark.
- Deuteronomy 28:27 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses listing boils/tumors and disease as punishments for disobedience — provides a legal/theological parallel for interpreting the tumorous affliction in 1 Sam 5:9 as divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- After they had moved it, the hand of the LORD came upon the city with a very great panic; he struck the men of the city, both small and great, and tumors broke out among them.
- After they had carried it there, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great panic; he struck the men of the city, from the least to the greatest, and tumors came upon them.
1 S.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עקרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כבוא: CONJ
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עקרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויזעקו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- העקרנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הסבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להמיתני: VERB,hiphil,inf,1,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 6:1-7 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Philistines suffer afflictions after keeping the ark and seek to return it, explaining why they send the ark onward (directly connects to Ekron episode).
- 1 Samuel 4:10-11 (thematic): Earlier episode where the capture of the ark brings death and disaster on Israel (the death of Hophni and Phinehas and Eli’s collapse), showing a recurring motif of the ark bringing lethal judgment or calamity.
- 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (thematic): Uzzah is struck dead for touching the ark—another tradition in which direct contact or mishandling of the ark brings immediate divine death, paralleling the deadly effect the Philistines fear.
- Leviticus 10:1-2 (thematic): Nadab and Abihu are slain for offering unauthorized fire before the Lord; parallels the broader theological principle that improper proximity to divine holiness can result in deadly judgment, as the Philistines fear with the ark.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. When the ark of God came to Ekron, the men of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel about to me—to kill me and my people!”
- They sent the ark of God to Ekron. When the ark of God came to Ekron, the men of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel into me to kill me and my people!”
1 S.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויאספו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- סרני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- שלחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למקמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- ימית: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- כי: CONJ
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מהומת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כבדה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Sam 5:6 (verbal): Same episode in Ashdod — explicitly says the hand of God was heavy and the people were afflicted (tumors/death), echoing the fear and deadly panic mentioned in 5:11.
- 1 Sam 6:1–9 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the Philistines discuss how to return the ark and determine the means of sending it away because it brings death and calamity to their cities.
- 1 Sam 4:10–11 (thematic): Earlier account of the ark’s capture and the deadly consequences for Israel (death of Eli’s sons, panic), showing a recurring theme that the presence of the ark brings lethal judgment.
- Numbers 4:15 (allusion): Priestly regulation that mishandling holy objects brings death (those who touch holy things may die), providing legal-theological background for fear of the ark’s deadly power.
- 2 Sam 6:6–7 (thematic): Uzzah struck dead for touching the ark — another episode where proximity or inappropriate handling of the ark results in immediate death, underscoring the motif of lethal holiness.
Alternative generated candidates
- They sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its place; let it not bring death upon us and our people.” For there was a great deadly panic throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
- They sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel; let it return to its place, that it not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly panic throughout the city—God’s hand was very heavy there.
1 S.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והאנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- מתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- הכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בטחרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותעל: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- שועת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Genesis 19:13 (verbal): Speaks of the ‘cry’ of a city rising before the LORD because of grievous sin—close verbal and thematic parallel to ‘the cry of the city went up to heaven.’
- Exodus 2:23 (verbal): Describes the Israelites’ cry coming up to God from oppression; parallels the language and theological motif of a people’s cry reaching heaven in response to suffering.
- 1 Samuel 5:6 (structural): Earlier verse in the same episode reporting that ‘the hand of the LORD was heavy’ on Ashdod—directly related narrative background to the emerods and the city’s cry in 5:12.
- Numbers 16:46-50 (thematic): Accounts of a deadly plague sent as divine punishment and halted by intercession/atonement; thematically parallels outbreak of disease as God’s judgment and the communal cry that follows.
Alternative generated candidates
- And those men who were not slain were stricken with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.
- Those who were not killed were struck with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.
The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into Dagon's house; they set it beside Dagon.
They rose early the next morning; behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of God. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place.
They rose early the following morning; behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of God, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were cut off and lay on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon remained.
Therefore the priests of Dagon and all who enter Dagon's house at Ashdod do not step on Dagon's threshold to this day.
The hand of God was heavy upon the men of Ashdod; he afflicted them and struck them with tumors—Ashdod and its territory.
When the men of Ashdod saw what had happened they said, "The ark of God must not remain with us; his hand has been heavy upon us and upon Dagon our god."
They sent and gathered all the rulers of the Philistines and said, "What shall we do with the ark of God?" They answered, "Let the ark of God be sent to Gath." So they sent the ark of God to Gath.
After they had sent it, the hand of God was against the city, and there was a very great panic; he struck the people of the city, both small and great, and tumors broke out among them.
They sent the ark of God to Ekron. When the ark of God came to Ekron the Ekronites cried out, "They have brought the ark of God to me to kill me and my people."
They sent and gathered all the rulers of the Philistines and said, "Send away the ark of God; let it return to its place, that it may not kill me and my people." For there was a deadly panic throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. And the men who did not die were struck with tumors; the outcry of the city went up to heaven.