1 Samuel 5:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →By morning the idol has fallen face-down before the ark; the people of Ashdod lift it back into place.
What Does 1 Samuel 5:3 Mean?
The next morning the men of Ashdod find Dagon toppled, lying face-down on the ground before the ark, in the very posture of worship and submission. They prop the idol back up, unwilling to read the sign. Their god has bowed before the Lord, and they answer by trying to undo it with their hands.
This is the helplessness of every false god: it cannot even keep itself upright. The image that men set up, men must set up again. The Lord asks for no help to stand, and gives none to idols that cannot stand. Here is a quiet picture of the gospel's claim that before the true God every rival must finally fall.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 5:3
What does 1 Samuel 5:3 mean?
By morning the idol has fallen face-down before the ark; the people of Ashdod lift it back into place.