King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 6:14 Mean?

1 Samuel 6:14 in the King James Version says “And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clav... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.

1 Samuel 6:14 · KJV


Context

12

And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway , lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.

13

And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

14

And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.

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 Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.

16

And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Divine providence directed the cart to stop at a specific location - the field of Joshua (whose name means 'salvation') beside a great stone suitable for an altar. The Hebrew 'even gedolah' (great stone) would serve both as altar and memorial. The people's immediate response demonstrates proper instinct: the cart that carried the Ark becomes fuel for sacrifice, and the cows that pulled it become offerings. This transformation of transport into worship shows that everything touched by sacred service belongs ultimately to God. The burnt offering ('olah', meaning 'ascending') represented complete consecration - the entire animal consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication. Yet even this proper impulse contained improper elements: the men of Beth-shemesh, though in Levitical territory, were not all priests authorized to offer sacrifice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The sacrifice of the cows followed ancient Near Eastern practice of not returning to secular use animals employed in sacred transport. The 'great stone' may have served as a natural altar, though Mosaic law typically required unhewn stones (Exodus 20:25). This field became a lasting memorial, referenced in verse 18.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the transformation of the cart and cows into offerings illustrate the principle that sacred service consecrates what it touches?
  2. What balance must be maintained between spontaneous worship and proper procedure?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
הָֽעֲגָלָ֔ה1 of 21

And the cart

H5699

something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle

בָּ֠אָה2 of 21

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׂדֵ֨ה4 of 21

into the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ5 of 21

of Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

בֵּֽית6 of 21
H0
הַשִּׁמְשִׁי֙7 of 21

a Bethshemite

H1030

a beth-shimshite, or inhabitant of bethshemesh

וַתַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד8 of 21

and stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

שָׁ֔ם9 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְשָׁ֖ם10 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶ֣בֶן11 of 21

stone

H68

a stone

גְּדוֹלָ֑ה12 of 21

there where there was a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַֽיְבַקְּעוּ֙13 of 21

and they clave

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

אֶת14 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲצֵ֣י15 of 21

the wood

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

הָֽעֲגָלָ֔ה16 of 21

And the cart

H5699

something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle

וְאֶת17 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַ֨פָּר֔וֹת18 of 21

the kine

H6510

a heifer

הֶֽעֱל֥וּ19 of 21

and offered

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֹלָ֖ה20 of 21

a burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃21 of 21

unto the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 6:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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