1 Samuel 5:4 — Meaning and Application

When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

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.

And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon {was} fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands {were} cut off upon the threshold; only {the stump of} Dagon was left to him. {the stump...: or, the fishy part}

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.

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.