1 Samuel 5:6 Meaning and Explanation
“But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord's hand presses hard on Ashdod and its surrounding territory, afflicting the people with a painful plague.
What Does 1 Samuel 5:6 Mean?
Having humbled Dagon, the Lord now turns to the people. His hand lies heavy on Ashdod and its region, striking the inhabitants with a painful affliction. The God they thought they had captured proves to be no captive at all, but a power moving freely through their land in judgment.
The same hand that fell on Dagon now falls on his worshipers. Scripture often speaks of the Lord's hand as the place where His power and purpose meet the world. Here it is weighty in discipline, yet even discipline is a kind of mercy: it summons proud people to recognize the only God who is truly God, before it is too late to turn.
1 Samuel 5:6 in the Original Language
yad (יָד), 'hand' -- a figure for the Lord's active power, here pressing heavy in judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 5:6
What does 1 Samuel 5:6 mean?
The Lord's hand presses hard on Ashdod and its surrounding territory, afflicting the people with a painful plague.