Definition and Etymology:
The term "emerod" is an archaic English word used in the King James Version of the Bible to describe a condition that is generally understood to be hemorrhoids or tumors. The word is derived from the Old French "emorroides," which in turn comes from the Latin "hæmorrhoida," meaning "bleeding." In modern translations, such as the Berean Standard Bible, the term is often rendered as "tumors" or "hemorrhoids."

Biblical References:
The primary biblical reference to emerods is found in the account of the Philistines' capture of the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Samuel. After taking the Ark from the Israelites, the Philistines experienced a series of divine judgments, including the affliction of emerods.

1 Samuel 5:6 : "Now the hand of the LORD was heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and He devastated them and afflicted them with tumors—both Ashdod and its territory."

1 Samuel 5:9 : "But after they had moved the ark, the hand of the LORD was against that city, causing a great panic. He afflicted the men of the city, young and old, with an outbreak of tumors."

1 Samuel 5:12 : "The men who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven."

Context and Significance:
The affliction of emerods upon the Philistines serves as a demonstration of God's power and judgment. The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred symbol of God's presence with Israel, and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. In response, God struck the Philistines with emerods, causing great suffering and fear among them. This event underscores the holiness of God and the consequences of disrespecting His sacred objects.

The narrative continues with the Philistines attempting to rid themselves of the Ark by sending it to different cities, each of which experienced the same divine judgment. Eventually, recognizing the severity of their plight, the Philistines decided to return the Ark to the Israelites, along with a guilt offering that included golden images of the tumors and rats that had ravaged their land (1 Samuel 6:4-5).

Theological Implications:
The account of the emerods highlights several key theological themes. First, it emphasizes the sovereignty of God over all nations and peoples, demonstrating that His power is not limited to Israel but extends to all the earth. Second, it illustrates the concept of divine retribution, where God enacts justice upon those who defy His will or desecrate His holy symbols. Lastly, the narrative serves as a reminder of the importance of reverence and respect for the things of God, as well as the need for repentance and restitution when one has sinned.

Cultural and Historical Considerations:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical afflictions were often seen as manifestations of divine displeasure or judgment. The Philistines' response to the emerods, including their decision to create golden images as a guilt offering, reflects their understanding of appeasing a deity's wrath through tangible acts of contrition. This practice aligns with the broader ancient cultural milieu, where offerings and sacrifices were common means of seeking favor or forgiveness from the gods.

Conclusion:
While the term "emerod" may be unfamiliar to modern readers, its significance within the biblical narrative is clear. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, justice, and the importance of honoring His presence. The account of the emerods in 1 Samuel remains a vivid illustration of the consequences of defying the divine and the necessity of acknowledging God's sovereignty.see HAEMORRHOIDS. 6076. ophel -- a mound, hill
... 6075b, 6076. ophel. 6076a . a mound, hill. Transliteration: ophel Phonetic
Spelling: (o'-fel) Short Definition: emerod. emerod, fort, strong hold, tower ...
/hebrew/6076.htm - 5k

2914. techor -- tumors (a result of dysentery)
... emerod. From an unused root meaning to burn; a boil or ulcer (from the inflammation),
especially a tumor in the anus or pudenda (the piles) -- emerod. ...
/hebrew/2914.htm - 6k

Emerod
Emerod. Emergency, Emerod. Emerods . Easton's Bible Dictionary see
HAEMORRHOIDS. Emergency, Emerod. Emerods . Reference Bible.
/e/emerod.htm - 6k

Emerods (8 Occurrences)

/e/emerods.htm - 11k

Gaza (22 Occurrences)
... It was the southernmost of the five great Philistine cities which gave each a golden
emerod as a trespass-offering unto the Lord (1 Samuel 6:17). ...
/g/gaza.htm - 19k

Emergency (1 Occurrence)

/e/emergency.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus