2 Samuel 6:17

Authorized King James Version

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And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּבִ֜אוּ And they brought H935
וַיָּבִ֜אוּ And they brought
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲר֣וֹן in the ark H727
אֲר֣וֹן in the ark
Strong's: H727
Word #: 3 of 19
a box
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיַּצִּ֤גוּ and set H3322
וַיַּצִּ֤גוּ and set
Strong's: H3322
Word #: 5 of 19
to place permanently
אֹתוֹ֙ H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בִּמְקוֹמ֔וֹ it in his place H4725
בִּמְקוֹמ֔וֹ it in his place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 7 of 19
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
בְּת֣וֹךְ in the midst H8432
בְּת֣וֹךְ in the midst
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 8 of 19
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הָאֹ֔הֶל of the tabernacle H168
הָאֹ֔הֶל of the tabernacle
Strong's: H168
Word #: 9 of 19
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָֽטָה had pitched H5186
נָֽטָה had pitched
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 11 of 19
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
ל֖וֹ H0
ל֖וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 19
דָּוִ֥ד for it and David H1732
דָּוִ֥ד for it and David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 13 of 19
david, the youngest son of jesse
וַיַּ֨עַל offered H5927
וַיַּ֨עַל offered
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 14 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
דָּוִ֥ד for it and David H1732
דָּוִ֥ד for it and David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 15 of 19
david, the youngest son of jesse
עֹל֛וֹת burnt offerings H5930
עֹל֛וֹת burnt offerings
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 16 of 19
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 17 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 18 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּשְׁלָמִֽים׃ and peace offerings H8002
וּשְׁלָמִֽים׃ and peace offerings
Strong's: H8002
Word #: 19 of 19
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

Analysis & Commentary

And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Ark Brought to Jerusalem, emphasizing reverence in worship, God's holiness. The ark's journey to Jerusalem emphasizes God's transcendent holiness and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms. Uzzah's death for touching the ark (though apparently well-intentioned) teaches that sincerity doesn't override obedience. David's dancing demonstrates appropriate joy in worship. Michal's contempt reveals heart attitudes toward genuine worship. The Hebrew qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ, 'holiness') dominates this chapter.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 6 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding reverence in worship, God's holiness provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

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