DAGON
Fish-god, a national idol of the Philistines, with temples at Gaza, Ashdid, etc., 1 Chronicles 10:10. The temple at Gaza was destroyed by Samson, Judges 1:16-30. In that at Ashdod, Dagon twice miraculously fell down before the ark of God; and in the second fall his head and hands were broken off, leaving only the body, which was in the form of a large fish, 1 Samuel 1:5-9. See Joshua 15:41; Joshua 1:19. There were other idols of like form among the ancients, particularly the goddess Derceto of Atergatis; and a similar form or "incarnation" of Vishnu is at this day much worshipped in India, and like Dagon is destined to be prostrated in the dust before the true God.