In Context

4 When they arose early on the next day morning, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off on the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day.

6 But the hand of Yahweh was heavy on them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.

7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, |The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us; for his hand is severe on us, and on Dagon our god.|

8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, |What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?| They answered, |Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath.| They carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

9 It was so, that after they had carried it about, the hand of Yahweh was against the city with a very great confusion: and he struck the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them.

1 Samuel 5:7 in Other Translations