2 Samuel 6:6
New International Version
When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.

New Living Translation
But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God.

English Standard Version
And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.

Berean Standard Bible
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.

King James Bible
And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

New King James Version
And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.

New American Standard Bible
But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen nearly overturned it.

NASB 1995
But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it.

NASB 1977
But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they came to the threshing floor of Nacon. And Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen nearly upset it.

Amplified Bible
When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out [with his hand] to the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen [stumbled and] nearly overturned it.

Christian Standard Bible
When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it because the oxen had stumbled.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it because the oxen had stumbled.

American Standard Version
And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled.

Contemporary English Version
But when they came to Nacon's threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah reached out and took hold of the sacred chest.

English Revised Version
And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But when they came to Nacon's threshing floor, the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out for the ark of God and grabbed it.

Good News Translation
As they came to the threshing place of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Covenant Box.

International Standard Version
When they arrived at Nacon's threshing floor, Uzzah reached out and grabbed the Ark of God because the oxen had stumbled.

Majority Standard Bible
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.

NET Bible
When they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and grabbed hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.

New Heart English Bible
And when they came to the threshing floor of Nodan, Uzza reached out his hand to the ark of God, to steady it; for the oxen stumbled.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they came to Nachon's threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it: for the oxen shook it.

World English Bible
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they come to the threshing-floor of Nachon, and Uzzah puts forth [his hand] to the Ark of God, and lays hold on it, for they released the oxen;

Young's Literal Translation
And they come unto the threshing-floor of Nachon, and Uzzah putteth forth his hand unto the ark of God, and layeth hold on it, for they released the oxen;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will come to the threshing-floor of Nachon, and Uzzah will stretch forth to the ark of God and lay hold upon its for the oxen kicked.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they came to the floor of Nachon, Oza put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it: because the oxen kicked and made it lean aside.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And after they had arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah extended his hand to the ark of God, and he touched it, because the oxen were kicking and had caused it to tip.

New American Bible
As they reached the threshing floor of Nodan, Uzzah stretched out his hand to the ark of God and steadied it, for the oxen were tipping it.

New Revised Standard Version
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they came to the threshing floors, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of the LORD, and took hold of it; for the oxen broke loose from the harness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they came unto the standing granaries and Azah reached his hand upon the ark of LORD JEHOVAH and grasped on it, because the oxen broke themselves loose
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they come as far as the threshing floor of Nachor: and Oza reached forth his hand to the ark of God to keep it steady, and took hold of it; for the ox shook it out of its place.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Uzzah Touches the Ark
5David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. 6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. 7And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 13:9-10
When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

Numbers 4:15
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.

Exodus 25:14-15
Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, in order to carry it. / The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.

Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.

1 Samuel 6:19
But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.

Numbers 4:20
But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”

1 Chronicles 15:13
It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

1 Samuel 5:1-12
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, / carried it into the temple of Dagon, and set it beside his statue. / When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. ...

1 Chronicles 15:2
Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

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.

1 Kings 8:6-8
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

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 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...

1 Corinthians 11:30
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

Nachon's

1 Chronicles 13:9
And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

he is called Chidon

Numbers 4:15,19,20
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation…

shook it.

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2 Samuel 6
1. David fetches the ark from Kirjath Jearim on a new cart,
6. Uzzah is smitten at Perez Uzzah
9. God blesses Obed-Edom for the ark
12. David brings the ark into Zion with sacrifices, and dances before it;
16. for which Michal despises him
17. He places it in a tabernacle with great joy and feasting
20. Michal, reproving David for his joy, is childless to her death














When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon
The "threshing floor" in ancient Israel was a significant location, often a flat, open space where grain was separated from chaff. It symbolizes a place of judgment and decision, as seen in other biblical narratives. The mention of "Nacon" is specific, though not much is known about this location. It serves as a geographical marker, indicating a real event in a real place, grounding the narrative in history. The threshing floor can also be seen as a metaphor for a moment of testing or trial, where the true nature of actions and intentions is revealed.

Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God
The act of reaching out to touch the "ark of God" is significant. The ark was the most sacred object in Israel, representing God's presence and covenant with His people. According to the Law, only the Levites were permitted to handle the ark, and even they were to do so with utmost care and reverence. Uzzah's action, though seemingly instinctive, reflects a breach of divine command. The Hebrew root for "took hold" (אָחַז, 'achaz) implies a firm grasp, indicating Uzzah's intention to stabilize the ark. This moment highlights the tension between human impulse and divine holiness, reminding believers of the importance of reverence and obedience to God's instructions.

because the oxen had stumbled
The stumbling of the oxen introduces an element of unpredictability and human reaction. Oxen were commonly used for transporting heavy loads, and their stumbling suggests a moment of instability. This phrase underscores the fragility of human efforts to manage the sacred. It serves as a reminder that even in moments of perceived crisis, God's holiness and commands must be upheld. The incident invites reflection on the nature of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, urging believers to trust in God's provision and order, even when circumstances seem precarious.

(6) Nachon's threshingfloor.--This place is entirely unknown. 1Chronicles 13:9 has "the threshingfloor of Chidon; "but it may be doubted whether the word is a proper name at all. The name, whatever it was, was now superseded by Perez-uzzah (2Samuel 6:8). The turning aside of the oxen to snatch the scattered grain of the threshingfioor may have caused the trouble.

Verse 6. - Nachon's threshing floor. In the parallel place (1 Chronicles 13:9) we find "the threshing floor of Chidon," and "Chidon" is proved to have been a proper name by the feebleness of the attempts made to find for it a meaning. We therefore gather that "Nachou" is also a proper name, but otherwise we should certainly have translated it "a fixed threshing floor." The people did indeed thresh or trample out their corn often on summer threshing floors (Daniel 2:35), that is, on fitting spots in the fields themselves. But as a large quantity of earth was sure in this cash to be mixed with the corn, they preferred to use places with solid floors or pavements, which lasted for many generations, and often became well-known spots (Genesis 50:10). Even if "Nachon" be a proper name, this would be a permanent floor, paved with stones, the approaches to which would be worn and made rough by the tracks of the carts bringing the corn. Here the oxen shook it; Hebrew, stumbled, and so the Revised Version. Nothing is said of the ark being in danger. Uzzah's act was one of precaution. The ground was rough, the oxen stumbled, and he put forth his hand to hold the ark till the cart had reached level ground. If the threshing floor was formed in the natural rock, those who have been in Spain, and seen how the tracks in the Pyrenees are worn by the native carts into deep ruts in the solid stone, can well understand that the neighbourhood of this much-frequented spot would need very careful driving.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When they came
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the threshing floor
גֹּ֣רֶן (gō·ren)
Noun - proper
Strong's 1637: A threshing-floor, open area

of Nachon,
נָכ֑וֹן (nā·ḵō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5225: Nachon

Uzzah
עֻזָּ֜א (‘uz·zā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5798: Uzza -- four Israelites

reached out
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

and took hold
וַיֹּ֣אחֶז (way·yō·ḥez)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

of
בּ֔וֹ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

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

of God,
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the oxen
הַבָּקָֽר׃ (hab·bā·qār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

had stumbled.
שָׁמְט֖וּ (šā·mə·ṭū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8058: To fling down, to jostle, to let alone, desist, remit


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OT History: 2 Samuel 6:6 When they came to the threshing floor (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
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