1 Samuel 6:8
New International Version
Take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way,

New Living Translation
Put the Ark of the LORD on the cart, and beside it place a chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors you are sending as a guilt offering. Then let the cows go wherever they want.

English Standard Version
And take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off and let it go its way

Berean Standard Bible
Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,

King James Bible
And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

New King James Version
Then take the ark of the LORD and set it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you are returning to Him as a trespass offering in a chest by its side. Then send it away, and let it go.

New American Standard Bible
Then take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a saddlebag by its side. Then send it away that it may go.

NASB 1995
“Take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away that it may go.

NASB 1977
“And take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away that it may go.

Legacy Standard Bible
And take the ark of Yahweh and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away that it may go.

Amplified Bible
Then take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you are returning to Him as a guilt offering in a box beside it. Then send it away [without a driver].

Christian Standard Bible
Take the ark of the LORD, place it on the cart, and put the gold objects that you’re sending him as a guilt offering in a box beside the ark. Send it off and let it go its way.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take the ark of the LORD, place it on the cart, and put the gold objects that you’re sending Him as a restitution offering in a box beside the ark. Send it off and let it go its way.

American Standard Version
and take the ark of Jehovah, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

Contemporary English Version
Then put the chest on the cart. Put the gold rats and sores into a bag and put it on the cart next to the chest. Then send it on its way.

English Revised Version
and take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a guilt offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Take the ark of the LORD, and put it on the cart. Put the gold objects which you're giving him as a guilt offering in a box beside the ark. Send the cart on its way,

Good News Translation
Take the LORD's Covenant Box, put it on the wagon, and place in a box beside it the gold models that you are sending to him as a gift to pay for your sins. Start the wagon on its way and let it go by itself.

International Standard Version
Take the Ark of the LORD, put it on the cart, and put the gold objects that you are returning to him as a guilt offering in a box beside it. Then send it away and let it go.

Majority Standard Bible
Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,

NET Bible
Then take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart, and put in a chest beside it the gold objects you are sending to him as a guilt offering. You should then send it on its way.

New Heart English Bible
and take the ark, and lay it on the cart; and put the figures of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a box by its side; and send it away, that it may go.

Webster's Bible Translation
And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold which ye return to him for a trespass-offering, in a coffer by its side; and send it away, that it may go.

World English Bible
and take Yahweh’s ark and lay it on the cart. Put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a box by its side; and send it away, that it may go.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have taken the Ark of YHWH, and put it on the cart, and the vessels of gold which you have returned to Him—a guilt-offering—you put in a coffer on its side, and have sent it away, and it has gone;

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have taken the ark of Jehovah, and put it on the cart, and the vessels of gold which ye have returned to Him -- a guilt-offering -- ye put in a coffer on its side, and have sent it away, and it hath gone;

Smith's Literal Translation
And take the ark of Jehovah and set it upon the wagon; and the vessels of gold which ye turned back to him ye shall put a trespass in a box from its side; and send it, and it went.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall take the ark of the Lord, and lay it on the cart, and the vessels of gold, which you have paid him for sin, you shall put into a little box, at the side thereof: and send it away that it may go.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall take the ark of the Lord, and you shall place it upon the cart, with the articles of gold that you have paid to him on behalf of transgression. You shall place these in a little box at its side. And release it, so that it may go.

New American Bible
You shall next take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart, putting the golden articles that you are offering as reparation for your guilt in a box beside it. Start it on its way, and let it go.

New Revised Standard Version
Take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart, and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off, and let it go its way.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the vessels of gold which you have brought for it as offerings, in a box by its side; and send it away, that it may go on its way.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And take the ark of LORD JEHOVAH and put it in the cart, and the vessels of gold which you have brought to him as gifts, put in a bag at its side, and send it and it shall go
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return Him for a guilt-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall take the ark and put it on the wagon; and ye shall restore to it the golden articles for the trespass-offering in a coffer by the side of it: and ye shall let it go, and sent it away, and ye shall depart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ark Returned to Israel
7Now, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. 8Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way, 9but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.”…

Cross References
Exodus 25:16
And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.

Numbers 4:5-6
Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. / They are to place over this a covering of fine leather, spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.

Deuteronomy 10:1-2
At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. / And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.”

Joshua 3:3
and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it.

2 Samuel 6:3
They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart,

1 Chronicles 13:7
So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.

1 Chronicles 15:15
And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

2 Kings 12:9
Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar on the right side as one enters the house of the LORD. There the priests who guarded the threshold put all the money brought into the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 22:8
Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it.

2 Chronicles 5:2-5
At that time Solomon assembled in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / So all the men of Israel came together to the king at the feast in the seventh month. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark, ...

2 Chronicles 35:3
To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD, Josiah said: “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.

Jeremiah 3:16
“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

Acts 15:10
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?


Treasury of Scripture

And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

jewels

1 Samuel 6:4,5
Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords…

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Ark Articles Box Cart Chest Coffer Images Jewels Lay Objects Offering Returning Sending Side Thereof Trespass Trespass-Offering Vessels Way
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Ark Articles Box Cart Chest Coffer Images Jewels Lay Objects Offering Returning Sending Side Thereof Trespass Trespass-Offering Vessels Way
1 Samuel 6
1. After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark
10. They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh
19. The people are smitten for looking into the ark
21. They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch it














Take the ark of the LORD
The "ark of the LORD" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest built by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, as described in Exodus. The Hebrew word for "ark" is "aron," meaning a chest or box. The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people and contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. Its capture by the Philistines was a significant event, representing a temporary loss of God's favor. The directive to "take" it signifies a divine command to return what rightfully belongs to God, acknowledging His sovereignty.

and place it on the cart
The instruction to "place it on the cart" is significant because it deviates from the prescribed method of transporting the Ark, which was to be carried by Levites using poles (Exodus 25:14). The use of a cart, a common method for transporting goods, indicates the Philistines' lack of understanding of the Ark's sacredness. Historically, this reflects the Philistines' attempt to appease the God of Israel after experiencing plagues, showing their recognition of His power despite their ignorance of His laws.

and in a chest beside it
The "chest" mentioned here is a separate container meant to accompany the Ark. The Hebrew word for "chest" is "argaz," which is used only in this context in the Bible, indicating a specific purpose. This chest was to hold the guilt offering, symbolizing an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a desire for reconciliation with God. The placement "beside it" suggests a recognition of the Ark's holiness, as the offerings were not to be placed inside the Ark itself.

put the gold objects you are sending back to Him
The "gold objects" refer to the golden tumors and rats crafted by the Philistines as a guilt offering. Gold, a precious metal, signifies the value and sincerity of their offering. The act of "sending back to Him" acknowledges the Philistines' understanding that the plagues were a result of their possession of the Ark and their need to make amends. This reflects a broader biblical theme of restitution and the importance of making things right with God.

as a guilt offering
A "guilt offering" in the Hebrew context is known as "asham," which involves restitution and atonement for sin. This offering was meant to appease God's wrath and seek forgiveness. The Philistines' decision to send a guilt offering indicates their recognition of their transgression against the God of Israel and their desire to restore peace. It highlights the universal understanding of guilt and the need for atonement, a concept central to the Christian faith.

Then send it on its way
The phrase "send it on its way" implies releasing the Ark back to its rightful place among the Israelites. This act of sending it away without human guidance (as described in the following verses) demonstrates a test of divine intervention, trusting that God would lead the Ark to its destination. It underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and control over all creation, a foundational principle in conservative Christian theology. This act of faith by the Philistines, albeit driven by fear, serves as a reminder of God's omnipotence and the futility of resisting His will.

(8) In a coffer by the side thereof.--The reverent awe with which these Philistines treated the Ark, which had, they supposed, wrought them such great evil, presents a strong contrast to the careless curiosity of the men of Beth-shemesh with regard to the same sacred object--a careless curiosity, which was punished, as we so often find in the case of acts of sacrilege, with extreme severity.

Verse 8. - Put the jewels of gold... in a coffer. Instead of jewels the Hebrew word signifies any article of workmanship, and so figures, images wrought in gold. They were to be placed reverentially at the side of the ark, for it had wrought them so great evil that they had learned to look upon it with awe.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Take
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞ם (ū·lə·qaḥ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

the ark
אֲר֣וֹן (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

set
וּנְתַתֶּ֤ם (ū·nə·ṯat·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

it
אֹתוֹ֙ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

on
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the cart,
הָ֣עֲגָלָ֔ה (hā·‘ă·ḡā·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5699: Something revolving, a wheeled vehicle

and
וְאֵ֣ת ׀ (wə·’êṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

in a chest
בָאַרְגַּ֖ז (ḇā·’ar·gaz)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 712: A box, chest

beside it
מִצִּדּ֑וֹ (miṣ·ṣid·dōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6654: A side, an adversary

put
תָּשִׂ֥ימוּ (tā·śî·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the gold
הַזָּהָ֗ב (haz·zā·hāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

objects
כְּלֵ֣י (kə·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

you are sending
הֲשֵׁבֹתֶ֥ם (hă·šê·ḇō·ṯem)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

Him
לוֹ֙ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

as a guilt offering.
אָשָׁ֔ם (’ā·šām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 817: Guilt, a fault, a sin-offering

Then send
וְשִׁלַּחְתֶּ֥ם (wə·šil·laḥ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

[the ark]
אֹת֖וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

on its way,
וְהָלָֽךְ׃ (wə·hā·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT History: 1 Samuel 6:8 And take the ark of Yahweh (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 6:7
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