1 Samuel 5:6 – Is there any scientific or medical basis for the tumors supposedly afflicting the Philistines?

Historical and Linguistic Background

The biblical account in 1 Samuel 5:6 reads, “Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He afflicted them with tumors. Ashdod and its vicinity were struck with a great panic.” In the original Hebrew, the word often translated as “tumors” (or historically as “emerods”) can be associated with swellings or lumps. Some commentators point out that the location of these tumors, possibly in the groin area or elsewhere on the body, is not explicitly detailed in the text, though 1 Samuel 6:4–5 later mentions the Philistines giving “golden tumors” and “golden rats” as guilt offerings. This linguistic evidence underscores that whatever the physical affliction was, it was severe, external, and notable enough to be represented in idol form.

Potential Medical Explanations

Several plausible medical hypotheses have been proposed through the years to explain these tumors:

1. Hemorrhoids or Severe Boils

Traditional translations (like the KJV’s “emerods”) appear to refer to painful swellings, potentially hemorrhoids or boils. From a practical medical standpoint, severe hemorrhoids or infected boils can be extremely painful, debilitating, and capable of causing widespread panic in a community.

2. Bubonic Plague or a Related Infectious Disease

Some scholars suggest a connection to bubonic plague, especially since 1 Samuel 6:4–5 also mentions rats (or mice) in the context of the plague. Rats historically carry fleas that transmit plague. The black or bubonic plague typically produces “buboes,” which are swollen lymph glands—commonly in the groin—along with high fever and potentially high mortality rates if untreated. The mention of “golden rats” hints that a rodent infestation may have played a role in the outbreak.

3. A Miraculously Intensified Disease

Given the biblical narrative, many faithful readers understand these tumors not just as a disease but as a visible sign of divine judgment. Even if it resembled a known condition (bubonic plague, boils, etc.), the text emphasizes that it was “the hand of the LORD” causing this affliction. In this view, God used a naturally occurring infection or an otherwise rare condition in a supernaturally intensified way to demonstrate His power and glory.

Scientific and Archaeological Context

Archaeological excavations in the region of Philistia (notably cities such as Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, and others) confirm the Philistines’ presence and prosperity during this period, which aligns with the biblical account. Although direct archaeological evidence pointing to a particular outbreak of plague among the Philistines is not currently available, discoveries such as grain stores, fortifications, and evidence of trade confirm an urban environment conducive to the rapid spread of disease.

Additionally, scientific understanding of rodent-borne diseases shows it is entirely feasible that a sudden outbreak, even a localized one, could have decimated or severely afflicted a population. Ancient societies, which had limited medical knowledge, would likely have experienced significant panic if confronted by widespread, painful lumps or sores.

Sovereignty and Purpose in Scripture

From the text’s perspective, the affliction serves more than a mere historical or medical footnote; it highlights the sovereignty of God and a lesson for those who attempted to control the Ark (1 Samuel 5:7–8). The Philistines recognized that something far beyond the usual had stricken them and sought relief by acknowledging the God of Israel, culminating in their plea to remove the Ark from their land.

1 Samuel 5:11 states, “So they assembled all the rulers of the Philistines and said, ‘Send the ark of the God of Israel away. Let it return to its own place so that it will not kill us and our people.’ For a deadly confusion had pervaded the city; the hand of God was heavy upon it.” The severity of the situation compelled the Philistines to acknowledge a power greater than their own deities.

Consistency with the Broader Biblical Narrative

Scripture gives repeated testimony to God’s ability to judge nations through plagues or other physical afflictions (e.g., Exodus 9:9–11; Numbers 16:46–50). Because of the consistency and coherence of the biblical records, many conclude this account in 1 Samuel fits the pattern of how God has acted in history. The historical context, archaeological findings that place the Philistines in the southern Levant at this era, and the cultural realities of rodent-borne diseases underscore the plausibility of a plague scenario. The explanation does not negate the miraculous character; rather, it aligns normal disease vectors with an unmistakable act of divine judgment.

Spiritual and Practical Implications

While there may be an understandable secular curiosity about identifying the exact nature of the Philistines’ “tumors,” the biblical text underscores a spiritual principle: when a nation or people set themselves against God’s revealed truth, consequences follow. Whether by natural or supernatural means, the repeated message is that God ultimately reveals His supreme authority. Readers can appreciate that such accounts are not merely locked in ancient history but speak to a universal, timeless truth—God’s sovereignty and desire for reverence from all peoples.

Conclusion

In summary, 1 Samuel 5:6 depicts a striking medical or pathological event consistent with known diseases of the ancient world, potentially linked to plague, boils, or hemorrhoids. The presence of rodents (suggested by the “golden rats” in 1 Samuel 6) provides a secondary clue that supports a possible bubonic plague. Regardless, the biblical narrative presents the event as a purposeful act of divine judgment, reinforced by the suddenness, severity, and specificity of the affliction.

The historical feasibility of a disease outbreak, combined with the internal consistency of Scripture, the archaeological corroborations for the Philistine civilization, and the broader theological message, all point to the reliability of the biblical account. Seen through both a scientific lens and a scriptural perspective, the tumors afflicting the Philistines have a plausible medical basis while still fulfilling the text’s emphasis on the God who reigns over every dimension of His creation.