Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
Ver. 23. For to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god.] That is, To Triton, the idol af those maritime nations, which was a fish downward, whence also he had his name Dagon. See 1 Samuel 5:4. Diodorus Siculus calleth this idol Derceta; others, Leucothea.
And to rejoice.] Ad celebranda hilaria. So the wild Irish when they go to rob, which they account no shame, pray to God that they may meet with a booty; and when they meet with it, they account it God's gift, and rejoice exceedingly. a
a Camd., Britan. Irel., p. 144.