Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Literal Bible Upon thus the priests of Dagon—and all those coming into the house of Dagon—do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. 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. Berean Annotated Bible That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon (a fish) and all who enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod (powerful) do not step on the threshold. 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 BibleThat 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 Versiontherefore 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. Berean Literal Bible Upon thus the priests of Dagon—and all those coming into the house of Dagon—do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleTherefore 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 1917Therefore 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 That is why, Genesis 26:33 So he called it Shibah, and to this day the name of the city is Beersheba. Genesis 32:32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was struck near that tendon. to this day, Joshua 7:26 And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day. Joshua 4:9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. And the stones are there to this day. Deuteronomy 34:6 And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows the location of his grave. the priests of Dagon Judges 16:23 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.” 1 Chronicles 10:10 They put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung his head in the temple of Dagon. 1 Samuel 31:10 They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan. and all who enter the temple of Dagon 2 Kings 5:18 Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.” 2 Kings 10:23 Next, Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, “Look around to see that there are no servants of the LORD here among you—only servants of Baal.” Ezekiel 8:16 So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. in Ashdod 1 Samuel 6:17 As a guilt offering to the LORD, the Philistines had sent back one gold tumor for each city: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. Amos 1:8 I will cut off the ruler of Ashdod and the one who wields the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord GOD. Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted. do not step on the threshold. Zephaniah 1:9 On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold, who fill the house of their master with violence and deceit. Ezekiel 9:3 Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side. 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. Jump to Previous Ashdod Dagon Dagon's Doorstep Enter House Others Priest Priests Temple Threshhold Threshold TreadJump to Next Ashdod Dagon Dagon's Doorstep Enter House Others Priest Priests Temple Threshhold Threshold Tread1 Samuel 5 1. The Philistines having brought the ark into Ashdod, set it in the house Dagon3. 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 the priests of Dagon and all who enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on the threshold Persons / Places / Events 1. DagonA 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 IdolsThe 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 whyThe 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 Links 1 Samuel 5:5 NIV1 Samuel 5:5 NLT 1 Samuel 5:5 ESV 1 Samuel 5:5 NASB 1 Samuel 5:5 KJV 1 Samuel 5:5 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 5:5 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 5:5 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 5:5 French Bible 1 Samuel 5:5 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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