1 Samuel 6:15
And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
הוֹרִ֣ידוּ׀
took down
H3381
הוֹרִ֣ידוּ׀
took down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
2 of 27
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּוֹ֙
H854
אִתּוֹ֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כְלֵֽי
that was with it wherein the jewels
H3627
כְלֵֽי
that was with it wherein the jewels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
12 of 27
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
זָהָ֔ב
of gold
H2091
זָהָ֔ב
of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
13 of 27
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וַיָּשִׂ֖מוּ
were and put
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֖מוּ
were and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
14 of 27
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה
them on the great
H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה
them on the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
17 of 27
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י
H376
וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
18 of 27
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הֶֽעֱל֨וּ
offered
H5927
הֶֽעֱל֨וּ
offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
21 of 27
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֹל֜וֹת
burnt offerings
H5930
עֹל֜וֹת
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
22 of 27
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וַֽיִּזְבְּח֧וּ
and sacrificed
H2076
וַֽיִּזְבְּח֧וּ
and sacrificed
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
23 of 27
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
זְבָחִ֛ים
sacrifices
H2077
זְבָחִ֛ים
sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
בַּיּ֥וֹם
the same day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
the same day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
25 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Historical Context
The Kohathite Levites were specifically assigned to carry the Ark and most holy objects (Numbers 4:4-15). Their presence at Beth-shemesh, a Levitical city, explains how the Ark could be properly handled. The peace offerings allowed worshipers to eat portions of the sacrifice, making this a covenant meal celebrating the Ark's return.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture carefully note the Levites' role in handling the Ark?
- How does proper procedure in worship honor God's holiness while enabling genuine celebration?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
The Levites' involvement introduces proper order into the proceedings. Only Levites, specifically Kohathites, were authorized to handle the Ark (Numbers 4:15), suggesting at least some adherence to Mosaic regulations. The Ark and its accompanying coffer of golden offerings were placed on the great stone, creating an improvised sanctuary. The phrase 'burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices' indicates multiple offering types - 'olot' (burnt offerings) representing complete dedication and 'zevachim' (peace offerings) enabling communal celebration. The repeated offerings throughout 'the same day' suggest extended, joyful worship. Yet the narrator's careful distinction between Levites handling the Ark and 'men of Beth-shemesh' offering sacrifices hints at procedural irregularities that will soon bring tragic consequences.