1 Samuel Chapter 6 · Verse 9

Authorized King James Version

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And 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.

Original Language Analysis

וּרְאִיתֶ֗ם And see H7200
וּרְאִיתֶ֗ם And see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 1 of 26
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 2 of 26
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
דֶּ֨רֶךְ by the way H1870
דֶּ֨רֶךְ by the way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 3 of 26
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
גְּבוּל֤וֹ of his own coast H1366
גְּבוּל֤וֹ of his own coast
Strong's: H1366
Word #: 4 of 26
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
יַֽעֲלֶה֙ if it goeth up H5927
יַֽעֲלֶה֙ if it goeth up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 5 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בֵּ֣ית H0
בֵּ֣ית
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 26
שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ to Bethshemesh H1053
שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ to Bethshemesh
Strong's: H1053
Word #: 7 of 26
beth-shemesh, a place in palestine
ה֚וּא H1931
ה֚וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 8 of 26
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עָ֣שָׂה then he hath done H6213
עָ֣שָׂה then he hath done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 9 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לָ֔נוּ H0
לָ֔נוּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 26
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽרָעָ֥ה evil H7451
הָֽרָעָ֥ה evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 12 of 26
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה us this great H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה us this great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 13 of 26
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַזֹּ֑את H2063
הַזֹּ֑את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 14 of 26
this (often used adverb)
וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 15 of 26
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֗א H3808
לֹ֗א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 16 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְיָדַ֙עְנוּ֙ but if not then we shall know H3045
וְיָדַ֙עְנוּ֙ but if not then we shall know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 17 of 26
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 18 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 19 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדוֹ֙ that it is not his hand H3027
יָדוֹ֙ that it is not his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 20 of 26
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נָ֣גְעָה that smote H5060
נָ֣גְעָה that smote
Strong's: H5060
Word #: 21 of 26
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
בָּ֔נוּ H0
בָּ֔נוּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 22 of 26
מִקְרֶ֥ה us it was a chance H4745
מִקְרֶ֥ה us it was a chance
Strong's: H4745
Word #: 23 of 26
something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune
ה֖וּא H1931
ה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 24 of 26
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָ֥יָה that happened to us H1961
הָ֥יָה that happened to us
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 25 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָֽנוּ׃ H0
לָֽנוּ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 26 of 26

Analysis & Commentary

And 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.

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.

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