1 Samuel 6:14
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
הָֽעֲגָלָ֔ה
And the cart
H5699
הָֽעֲגָלָ֔ה
And the cart
Strong's:
H5699
Word #:
1 of 21
something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle
הַשִּׁמְשִׁי֙
a Bethshemite
H1030
הַשִּׁמְשִׁי֙
a Bethshemite
Strong's:
H1030
Word #:
7 of 21
a beth-shimshite, or inhabitant of bethshemesh
וַתַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד
and stood
H5975
וַתַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד
and stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
8 of 21
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
וְשָׁ֖ם
H8033
וְשָׁ֖ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
10 of 21
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
there where there was a great
H1419
גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
there where there was a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
12 of 21
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וַֽיְבַקְּעוּ֙
and they clave
H1234
וַֽיְבַקְּעוּ֙
and they clave
Strong's:
H1234
Word #:
13 of 21
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲצֵ֣י
the wood
H6086
עֲצֵ֣י
the wood
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
15 of 21
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
הָֽעֲגָלָ֔ה
And the cart
H5699
הָֽעֲגָלָ֔ה
And the cart
Strong's:
H5699
Word #:
16 of 21
something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הֶֽעֱל֥וּ
and offered
H5927
הֶֽעֱל֥וּ
and offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
19 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
2 Samuel 24:22And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.Judges 21:4And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
Historical Context
The sacrifice of the cows followed ancient Near Eastern practice of not returning to secular use animals employed in sacred transport. The 'great stone' may have served as a natural altar, though Mosaic law typically required unhewn stones (Exodus 20:25). This field became a lasting memorial, referenced in verse 18.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the transformation of the cart and cows into offerings illustrate the principle that sacred service consecrates what it touches?
- What balance must be maintained between spontaneous worship and proper procedure?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
Divine providence directed the cart to stop at a specific location - the field of Joshua (whose name means 'salvation') beside a great stone suitable for an altar. The Hebrew 'even gedolah' (great stone) would serve both as altar and memorial. The people's immediate response demonstrates proper instinct: the cart that carried the Ark becomes fuel for sacrifice, and the cows that pulled it become offerings. This transformation of transport into worship shows that everything touched by sacred service belongs ultimately to God. The burnt offering ('olah', meaning 'ascending') represented complete consecration - the entire animal consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication. Yet even this proper impulse contained improper elements: the men of Beth-shemesh, though in Levitical territory, were not all priests authorized to offer sacrifice.