1 Samuel 6:3
And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
Original Language Analysis
אִֽם
H518
אִֽם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 25
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תְּשַׁלְּח֤וּ
If ye send away
H7971
תְּשַׁלְּח֤וּ
If ye send away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
3 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
of the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
of the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 25
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּשַׁלְּח֤וּ
If ye send away
H7971
תְּשַׁלְּח֤וּ
If ye send away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
9 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֵיקָ֔ם
it not empty
H7387
רֵיקָ֔ם
it not empty
Strong's:
H7387
Word #:
11 of 25
emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָּשִׁ֛יבוּ
but in any wise
H7725
תָּשִׁ֛יבוּ
but in any wise
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
13 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
תָּשִׁ֛יבוּ
but in any wise
H7725
תָּשִׁ֛יבוּ
but in any wise
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
14 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אָשָׁ֑ם
him a trespass offering
H817
אָשָׁ֑ם
him a trespass offering
Strong's:
H817
Word #:
16 of 25
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
אָ֤ז
H227
תֵּרָֽפְאוּ֙
then ye shall be healed
H7495
תֵּרָֽפְאוּ֙
then ye shall be healed
Strong's:
H7495
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
וְנוֹדַ֣ע
and it shall be known
H3045
וְנוֹדַ֣ע
and it shall be known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
19 of 25
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
לָ֛מָּה
H4100
לָ֛מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
22 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Exodus 23:15Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)Deuteronomy 16:16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:1 Samuel 6:9And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.Exodus 34:20But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
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
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
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.