1 Samuel 6:20
And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
Original Language Analysis
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 16
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)
מִ֚י
H4310
מִ֚י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יוּכַ֣ל
Who is able
H3201
יוּכַ֣ל
Who is able
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
6 of 16
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לַֽעֲמֹ֔ד
to stand
H5975
לַֽעֲמֹ֔ד
to stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
7 of 16
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֧ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 16
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
הַקָּד֖וֹשׁ
this holy
H6918
הַקָּד֖וֹשׁ
this holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
11 of 16
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
מִ֖י
H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
14 of 16
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Cross References
Malachi 3:2But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope:2 Samuel 6:9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?Revelation 6:17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?Psalms 76:7Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?Luke 5:8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.Luke 8:37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.Leviticus 11:45For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.2 Samuel 6:7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
Historical Context
The question 'Who can stand?' appears repeatedly in Scripture when humans encounter divine holiness (Psalm 130:3; Malachi 3:2). The men of Beth-shemesh, despite living in a Levitical city, apparently lacked proper instruction on approaching the Ark or had neglected what they knew.
Questions for Reflection
- Is your response to God's holiness to seek transformation or to seek distance?
- How does the cross of Christ answer the question 'Who can stand before this holy God?'
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
The survivors' response contains profound theological insight expressed through two questions. First: 'Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?' The Hebrew 'qadosh' (holy) emphasizes God's otherness, His separation from all that is common or profane. Their question echoes throughout Scripture - who can endure the presence of the Holy One? (Psalm 76:7; Nahum 1:6; Revelation 6:17). The answer, apart from grace, is no one. Second: 'To whom shall he go up from us?' reveals their solution - not repentance and consecration but removal of the dangerous presence. Rather than asking how they might be purified to dwell with the Holy, they ask who else might bear the burden. This response, while understandable, misses the deeper issue: the problem was not the Ark's presence but their hearts' condition.