1 samuel 5:9 - It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great so that tumors broke out on them.
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What does "1 samuel 5:9" mean?
This verse describes a plague that struck the city of Gath after the Philistines moved the Ark of the Covenant there. Let's break it down:
"It was so, that after they had carried it there...": This refers to the Ark of the Covenant, which the Philistines had captured from the Israelites (mentioned in previous verses). They moved it from Ashdod to Gath.
"Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion...": This means that God (Yahweh) inflicted a calamity on Gath. The "confusion" could refer to panic, social disruption, and disorientation caused by the plague.
"...and he struck the men of the city, both small and great so that tumors broke out on them.": This describes the physical affliction: tumors that erupted on the people of Gath, affecting everyone regardless of age or status.
Interpretation:
This verse is part of a larger narrative about the power and holiness of God. The Philistines, by possessing the Ark, thought they had control over the God of Israel. However, the narrative demonstrates that God is not controlled by anyone. He uses the Ark to demonstrate His power and punish those who dared to possess it unlawfully.
The tumors (often interpreted as bubonic plague or some other disease causing swellings) served as a tangible sign of God's displeasure. This event was meant to show the Philistines the superiority of Yahweh and the futility of challenging Him.
Symbolic Significance:
The story of the Ark among the Philistines is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's power over idols and foreign gods. It shows that even when the Israelites were unfaithful, God's power remained.
1 samuel 5:9 - It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great so that tumors broke out on them.
What does "1 samuel 5:9" mean?
This verse describes a plague that struck the city of Gath after the Philistines moved the Ark of the Covenant there. Let's break it down:
"It was so, that after they had carried it there...": This refers to the Ark of the Covenant, which the Philistines had captured from the Israelites (mentioned in previous verses). They moved it from Ashdod to Gath.
"Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion...": This means that God (Yahweh) inflicted a calamity on Gath. The "confusion" could refer to panic, social disruption, and disorientation caused by the plague.
"...and he struck the men of the city, both small and great so that tumors broke out on them.": This describes the physical affliction: tumors that erupted on the people of Gath, affecting everyone regardless of age or status.
Interpretation:
This verse is part of a larger narrative about the power and holiness of God. The Philistines, by possessing the Ark, thought they had control over the God of Israel. However, the narrative demonstrates that God is not controlled by anyone. He uses the Ark to demonstrate His power and punish those who dared to possess it unlawfully.
The tumors (often interpreted as bubonic plague or some other disease causing swellings) served as a tangible sign of God's displeasure. This event was meant to show the Philistines the superiority of Yahweh and the futility of challenging Him.
Symbolic Significance:
The story of the Ark among the Philistines is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's power over idols and foreign gods. It shows that even when the Israelites were unfaithful, God's power remained.