1 Samuel 6:11
And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּשִׂ֛מוּ
And they laid
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֛מוּ
And they laid
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָֽעֲגָלָ֑ה
upon the cart
H5699
הָֽעֲגָלָ֑ה
upon the cart
Strong's:
H5699
Word #:
6 of 14
something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle
וְאֵ֣ת
H853
וְאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַזָּהָ֔ב
of gold
H2091
הַזָּהָ֔ב
of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
11 of 14
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The Philistines, part of the 'Sea Peoples' who settled the coastal plain around 1200 BCE, possessed superior iron technology and organized military forces. Their pentapolis (five major cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) controlled coastal trade routes and threatened Israelite settlements in the hill country. The Philistine threat created the political pressure that would eventually lead to Israel's demand for centralized monarchy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
- What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
- How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
The Ark narrative reveals that God's presence cannot be manipulated through religious symbols or ritualistic practices. Israel's superstitious use of the Ark as a magical talisman demonstrated fundamental misunderstanding of covenant relationship. The Ark's capture and Israel's defeat prove that external religious forms without heart transformation provide no protection from judgment. Yet even in captivity, the Ark demonstrates Yahweh's supremacy—Dagon falls, plagues strike, and the Philistines recognize a power they cannot control or domesticate.