Introduction:
Dagon was a prominent deity in the ancient Near Eastern pantheon, particularly among the Philistines. He is often associated with fertility and grain, and his worship was widespread in the regions surrounding Israel during the biblical period. The name "Dagon" is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word "dag," meaning "fish," although some scholars suggest a connection to "dagan," meaning "grain."

Biblical References:
Dagon is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the context of the Philistines, who were one of Israel's chief adversaries. The most notable references to Dagon are found in the books of Judges and 1 Samuel.

1. Judges 16:23:
In the account of Samson, the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon, their god, celebrating their capture of Samson. The text states: "Now the lords of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon and to celebrate, saying, 'Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.'"

2. 1 Samuel 5:1-5:
This passage describes the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines and its placement in the temple of Dagon in Ashdod. The following morning, the statue of Dagon was found fallen on its face before the Ark. After setting it back in place, the next day, Dagon was again found fallen, this time with its head and hands broken off. The text reads: "When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. But when they rose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head and hands of Dagon were broken off and lying on the threshold; only the body remained."

3. 1 Chronicles 10:10:
After the death of King Saul, the Philistines placed his armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. This act was a demonstration of their belief in Dagon's superiority over the God of Israel.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
Dagon was a significant figure in the religious life of the Philistines and other Semitic peoples. His worship was characterized by temples and rituals that underscored his role as a god of fertility and agriculture. The Philistines' reverence for Dagon is evident in their dedication of spoils of war to him, as seen in the biblical narratives.

Archaeological Evidence:
Archaeological discoveries have provided additional insights into the worship of Dagon. Temples dedicated to Dagon have been unearthed in ancient Philistine cities such as Ashdod and Gaza. These findings corroborate the biblical accounts of Dagon's prominence in Philistine culture.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the biblical narratives involving Dagon serve to highlight the supremacy of the God of Israel over pagan deities. The episodes in 1 Samuel, where Dagon falls before the Ark of the Covenant, symbolize the impotence of false gods in the presence of the true God. These accounts reinforce the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the futility of idolatry.

Conclusion:
While Dagon was a central figure in the religious practices of the Philistines, the biblical accounts consistently portray him as powerless before the God of Israel. The narratives serve as a testament to the enduring belief in the one true God and His ultimate authority over all creation.Dagon's house

(1 Samuel 5:2), or Beth-dagon, as elsewhere rendered (Joshua 15:41; 19:27), was the sanctuary or temple of Dagon.

The Beth-dagon of Joshua 15:41 was one of the cities of the tribe of Judah, in the lowland or plain which stretches westward. It has not been identified.

The Beth-dagon of Joshua 19:27 was one of the border cities of Asher.

That of 1 Chronicles 10:10 was in the western half-tribe of Manasseh, where the Philistines, after their victory at Gilboa, placed Saul's head in the temple of their god. (Comp. 1 Samuel 31:8-13).

1712. Dagon -- a god and an idol of the Philistines
... 1711, 1712. Dagon. 1713 . a god and an idol of the Philistines. Transliteration:
Dagon Phonetic Spelling: (daw-gohn') Short Definition: Dagon. ...
/hebrew/1712.htm - 6k

Strength Profaned and Lost
... Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice
unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

The Ark of the House of Obed-Edom
... They had carried it and set it in insolent triumph in the Temple of Dagon, as if
to proclaim that the Jehovah of Israel was the conquered prisoner of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the ark of the house.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... for a time in Cyprus, had come and settled in Gaza and Ashkelon, and three other
very strong cities on the coast, where they worshipped a fish-god, called Dagon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

Dagon's (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Dagon's house. (1 Samuel 5:2), or Beth-dagon, as elsewhere
rendered (Joshua 15:41; 19:27), was the sanctuary or temple of Dagon. ...
/d/dagon's.htm - 7k

Dagon (9 Occurrences)
... The most famous of the temples of Dagon were at Gaza (Judges 16:23-30) and Ashdod
(1 Samuel 5:1-7). (see FISH.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...DAGON. ...
/d/dagon.htm - 12k

Threshold (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 5:4 When they arose early on the next day morning, behold, Dagon was fallen
on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh; and the head of Dagon...
/t/threshold.htm - 18k

Threshhold (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon had
fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD: and the head of ...
/t/threshhold.htm - 10k

Doorstep (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they got up early on the morning after, Dagon had come down
to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord; and his head and his ...
/d/doorstep.htm - 10k

Dahavan (1 Occurrence)

/d/dahavan.htm - 6k

Step (41 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 5:5 So to this day no priest of Dagon, or any who come into Dagon's house,
will put his foot on the doorstep of the house of Dagon in Ashdod. ...
/s/step.htm - 19k

Tread (60 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Samuel 5:5 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. ...
/t/tread.htm - 26k

Ashdod (21 Occurrences)
... It was one of the chief seats of the worship of Dagon (1 Samuel 5:5). It belonged
to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:47), but it never came into their actual ...
/a/ashdod.htm - 17k

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