Dagon's House
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Philistine settlement identified with the biblical Beth-dagon, serving as a cultic center for the deity Dagon.
What is the meaning of Dagon's House in the Bible?
Beth-dagon was a Philistine city functioning as a religious center for the worship of Dagon, notably recorded in the Hebrew Bible as the site where the Ark of the Covenant was temporarily housed following its capture by the Philistines.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Beth-dagon clarifies the geopolitical and religious tensions depicted in the biblical narrative, specifically illustrating the Philistine claim to divine power through the temporary possession of the Ark and the subsequent realization of Dagon's impotence before the God of Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Dagon's House in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Dagon's House clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.