1 Samuel 5:5
New International Version
That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.

New Living Translation
That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold.

English Standard Version
This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

Berean Standard Bible
That 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.

King James Bible
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

New King James Version
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

New American Standard Bible
For that reason neither the priests of Dagon nor any who enter Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

NASB 1995
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

NASB 1977
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

Amplified Bible
This is the reason neither the priests of Dagon nor any who enter Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

Christian Standard Bible
That is why, still today, the priests of Dagon and everyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on Dagon’s threshold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and everyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on Dagon’s threshold.

American Standard Version
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, unto this day.

Contemporary English Version
This is why the priests and everyone else step over that part of the doorway when they enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod.

English Revised Version
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, unto this day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is why the priests of Dagon and everyone else who comes into Dagon's temple in Ashdod still don't step on the temple's threshold.

Good News Translation
That is why even today the priests of Dagon and all his worshipers in Ashdod step over that place and do not walk on it.)

International Standard Version
This is why neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

NET Bible
(For this reason, to this very day, neither Dagon's priests nor anyone else who enters Dagon's temple step on Dagon's threshold in Ashdod.)

New Heart English Bible
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon's house, step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshhold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
That 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.

World English Bible
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
therefore the priests of Dagon, and all those coming into the house of Dagon, do not tread on the threshold of Dagon, in Ashdod, until this day.

Young's Literal Translation
therefore the priests of Dagon, and all those coming into the house of Dagon, tread not on the threshold of Dagon, in Ashdod, till this day.

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore the priests of Dagon, and all coming into Dagon's house, will not tread upon the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod even to this day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And only the stump of Dagon remained in its place. For this cause neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that go into the temple tread on the threshold of Dagon in Azotus unto this day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moreover, only the trunk of Dagon remained in its place. For this reason, the priests of Dagon, and all who enter his temple, do not tread upon the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, even to this day.

New American Bible
For this reason, neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter the temple of Dagon tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this very day.

New Revised Standard Version
This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any that enter Dagon's house cross the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, the Priests of Dagun and all who enter do not tread on the threshold of Dagun in Ashdod until today
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore the priests of Dagon, and every one that enters into the house of Dagon, do not tread upon the threshold of the house of Dagon in Azotus until this day, for they step over.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ark Afflicts the Philistines
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. 6Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors.…

Cross References
Exodus 12:29-30
Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.

2 Kings 19:37
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Isaiah 37:38
One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Judges 16:23-30
Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.” / And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy who destroyed our land and multiplied our dead.” / And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars. ...

1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

2 Samuel 6:6-7
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

1 Chronicles 13:9-10
When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

2 Chronicles 26:16-21
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” ...

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.

Jeremiah 50:2
“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’

Jeremiah 51:44
I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall.

Daniel 5:1-4
Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. / Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. ...

Daniel 5:22-23
But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. / Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.

Acts 12:21-23
On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” / Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Acts 17:29-31
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. / Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

neither

Psalm 115:4-7
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands…

Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands…

tread

Joshua 5:15
And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Zephaniah 1:9
In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

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1 Samuel 5
1. The Philistines having brought the ark into Ashdod, set it in the house Dagon
3. Dagon is smitten down and cut and cut in pieces,
5. and they of Ashdod smitten with tumors
8. So God deals with them of Gath, when it was brought thither
10. and so with them of Ekron, when it was brought thither














That is why
This phrase indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, referring back to the events described earlier in the chapter. The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in the temple of Dagon, their god. The subsequent fall of Dagon's statue before the Ark demonstrated the power of the God of Israel over the Philistine deity. This event serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of idolatry.

to this day
This expression suggests that the practice or tradition mentioned has continued from the time of the event until the time of the writing. It implies a lasting impact of the divine intervention, emphasizing the historical reliability of the account. It also indicates that the memory of God's power was preserved among the Philistines, serving as a testament to His might.

the priests of Dagon
The priests were religious leaders responsible for the worship and rituals associated with Dagon, a major deity in Philistine culture. Dagon was often depicted as a fish or grain god, reflecting the agricultural and maritime aspects of Philistine life. The priests' adherence to the new practice underscores the profound effect the incident had on their religious customs.

and all who enter the temple of Dagon
This phrase broadens the scope of those affected by the event, including not just the priests but all worshippers. It highlights the communal nature of religious practices and the widespread acknowledgment of the event's significance. The temple served as a central place of worship and cultural identity for the Philistines.

in Ashdod
Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities, located along the coastal plain of modern-day Israel. Archaeological findings have confirmed its significance as a center of Philistine power and culture. The mention of Ashdod situates the narrative in a real geographical context, providing historical credibility.

do not step on the threshold
This practice likely arose as a superstitious response to the fall of Dagon's statue, which had broken at the threshold. It reflects a common ancient Near Eastern belief in the sacredness of thresholds as transitional spaces. The avoidance of stepping on the threshold became a ritualistic acknowledgment of the event, symbolizing respect or fear of the divine power that had been demonstrated. This practice is reminiscent of other biblical instances where physical spaces are marked by divine encounters, such as Jacob's dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:16-17).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Dagon
A Philistine deity, often associated with fertility and grain. The idol of Dagon fell before the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the supremacy of the God of Israel over pagan gods.

2. Ashdod
One of the five major Philistine cities. It was a center of worship for Dagon and the location where the Ark of the Covenant was brought after being captured by the Philistines.

3. Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. Its presence in the temple of Dagon led to the idol's downfall.

4. Philistines
A group of people who were often in conflict with Israel. They captured the Ark of the Covenant, leading to the events described in 1 Samuel 5.

5. Priests of Dagon
Religious leaders serving in the temple of Dagon. Their refusal to step on the threshold after the incident reflects a superstitious reverence and acknowledgment of the power of the God of Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Supremacy Over Idols
The fall of Dagon before the Ark illustrates the truth that no idol can stand before the living God. Believers are reminded to examine their lives for modern-day idols that may take precedence over God.

The Power of God's Presence
The presence of the Ark in a foreign temple caused chaos and demonstrated God's power. Christians are encouraged to invite God's presence into every area of their lives, trusting in His transformative power.

Respect for the Holy
The Philistines' reaction to the event shows a recognition of the sacred. Believers should cultivate a deep respect and reverence for the things of God, including His Word and His presence.

Consequences of Disobedience
The Philistines' experience serves as a warning about the consequences of opposing God. It is a call to obedience and submission to His will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 5:5?

2. Why did the priests avoid stepping on Dagon's threshold in 1 Samuel 5:5?

3. How does 1 Samuel 5:5 illustrate God's power over false gods?

4. What lessons can Christians learn about idolatry from 1 Samuel 5:5?

5. How can 1 Samuel 5:5 encourage believers to trust in God's sovereignty?

6. What other scriptures highlight God's supremacy over idols and false gods?

7. Why did the Philistines place the Ark of God in Dagon's temple in 1 Samuel 5:5?

8. What does 1 Samuel 5:5 reveal about the power dynamics between God and idols?

9. How does the fall of Dagon in 1 Samuel 5:5 challenge the belief in other gods?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 5?

11. 1 Samuel 5 - Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that the Ark's presence caused such devastation in Philistine cities?

12. 1 Samuel 5 - How do we reconcile this account with other biblical passages that attribute different outcomes to the Ark's captivity?

13. 1 Samuel 5:3–5 – How could Dagon’s statue repeatedly fall and break without any natural explanation?

14. 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 - How do we reconcile any discrepancies between this account of David's battles with the Philistines and the parallel text in 2 Samuel 5?
What Does 1 Samuel 5:5 Mean
That is why

The phrase points back to the dramatic events in 1 Samuel 5:1-4, where the Ark of the Covenant—representing the living presence of the LORD—was placed in Dagon’s temple and twice caused the idol to topple and break. Those shattered pieces became a lasting testimony that “the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King” (Jeremiah 10:10).

1 Samuel 5:1-4 recounts the idol’s humiliation.

Exodus 20:2-3 reminds us that the first commandment forbids rival gods.

Psalm 115:4-8 contrasts lifeless idols with the LORD who acts.

Because of what God literally did in that room, the Philistines devised a custom intended to acknowledge (though superstitiously) the power that disarmed their deity.


to this day

The writer notes that the practice persisted into his own lifetime, underscoring the historical reliability of the account.

Joshua 4:9 and 1 Samuel 27:6 use the same “to this day” language to mark factual continuity.

• The survival of the custom verifies that the LORD’s intervention left a visible, long-term impact on pagan culture.

Even generations later, the event had not faded into myth; it remained a living memory.


the priests of Dagon

These religious leaders—responsible for defending their god—were the very ones forced to adapt their behavior after seeing Dagon broken before the Ark.

1 Kings 18:26-29 shows other false priests (of Baal) similarly powerless.

Isaiah 44:9-20 mocks craftsmen who shape and then worship idols.

Their new ritual silently admitted defeat: the God of Israel had proven superior, and their own god could neither speak nor stand.


and all who enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod

The custom spread beyond the clergy to every worshiper, embedding itself in daily religious life.

Judges 16:23 records an earlier Philistine celebration in a Dagon temple, highlighting Dagon’s central place in their national identity.

Acts 19:26-28 provides a New Testament parallel where economic and civic pride are tied to a false god (Artemis).

The threshold became both a boundary and a reminder: cross it carelessly, and you risk challenging the unseen power that toppled Dagon.


do not step on the threshold

The threshold itself was viewed as cursed or sacred because that is where Dagon’s head and hands lay broken (1 Samuel 5:4). Rather than repenting of idolatry, the Philistines built a superstition.

Zephaniah 1:9 rebukes “all who leap over the threshold,” an allusion to this very custom.

1 Corinthians 8:4 affirms that “an idol is nothing at all in the world,” yet people may still become enslaved to meaningless rituals.

Ironically, the doorway that testified to God’s supremacy became an object of fear rather than a call to faith. The true lesson is not to avoid a physical strip of stone but to abandon false gods altogether (Psalm 96:5).


summary

1 Samuel 5:5 records a real, historical outcome of God’s decisive act against Dagon. The ruined idol produced a long-lasting custom: priests and worshipers alike avoided stepping on the temple threshold. The detail serves three purposes:

• It confirms the literal victory of the LORD over idols.

• It demonstrates how human hearts often choose superstition over surrender.

• It stands as a call for readers to recognize God’s unrivaled authority and forsake every rival god.

(5) Unto this day.--This curious "memory" of the disaster to the Dagon image in this Philistine temple at Ashdod long existed among the worshippers of the fish-god. Zephaniah (1Samuel 1:9), in the reign of King Josiah, mentions this among idolatrous observances which he condemns: "In the same day I will punish all those that leap on (or over) the threshold."

Verse 5. - Henceforward, therefore, his priests and other worshippers carefully abstained from treading on the door sill, where his nobler members had lain, unto this day. Apparently the Books of Samuel were written some time after the events recorded in them took place, and we have remarkable evidence of the permanence of the custom in Zephaniah 1:9, where the Philistines are described as "those that leap on," or more correctly over, "the threshold." The custom, so curious in itself and so long continued, bears strong testimony to the historical truth of the narrative.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
That is why,
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

to
עַ֖ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

day,
הַיּ֥וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

the priests
כֹהֲנֵ֨י (ḵō·hă·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3548: Priest

of Dagon
דָג֜וֹן (ḏā·ḡō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1712: Dagon -- a god and an idol of the Philistines

and everyone
וְכָֽל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who enters
הַבָּאִ֧ים (hab·bā·’îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the temple
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Dagon
דָּג֛וֹן (dā·ḡō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1712: Dagon -- a god and an idol of the Philistines

in Ashdod
בְּאַשְׁדּ֑וֹד (bə·’aš·dō·wḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 795: Ashdod -- a city of the Philistines

do not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

step
יִדְרְכוּ֩ (yiḏ·rə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1869: To tread, to walk, to string a, bow

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the threshold.
מִפְתַּ֥ן (mip̄·tan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4670: A stretcher, a sill


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OT History: 1 Samuel 5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 5:4
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