King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 6:15 Mean?

1 Samuel 6:15 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 6:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.

The Levites' involvement introduces proper order into the proceedings. Only Levites, specifically Kohathites, were authorized to handle the Ark (Numbers 4:15), suggesting at least some adherence to Mosaic regulations. The Ark and its accompanying coffer of golden offerings were placed on the great stone, creating an improvised sanctuary. The phrase 'burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices' indicates multiple offering types - 'olot' (burnt offerings) representing complete dedication and 'zevachim' (peace offerings) enabling communal celebration. The repeated offerings throughout 'the same day' suggest extended, joyful worship. Yet the narrator's careful distinction between Levites handling the Ark and 'men of Beth-shemesh' offering sacrifices hints at procedural irregularities that will soon bring tragic consequences.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Kohathite Levites were specifically assigned to carry the Ark and most holy objects (Numbers 4:4-15). Their presence at Beth-shemesh, a Levitical city, explains how the Ark could be properly handled. The peace offerings allowed worshipers to eat portions of the sacrifice, making this a covenant meal celebrating the Ark's return.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture carefully note the Levites' role in handling the Ark?
  2. How does proper procedure in worship honor God's holiness while enabling genuine celebration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְהַלְוִיִּ֞ם1 of 27

And the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

הוֹרִ֣ידוּ׀2 of 27

took down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֶת3 of 27
H853

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

אֲר֣וֹן4 of 27

the ark

H727

a box

לַֽיהוָֽה׃5 of 27

of the LORD

H3068

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

וְאֶת6 of 27
H853

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

הָֽאַרְגַּ֤ז7 of 27

and the coffer

H712

a box (as a pannier)

אֲשֶׁר8 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּוֹ֙9 of 27
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֲשֶׁר10 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בּ֣וֹ11 of 27
H0
כְלֵֽי12 of 27

that was with it wherein the jewels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

זָהָ֔ב13 of 27

of gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וַיָּשִׂ֖מוּ14 of 27

were and put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶל15 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֶ֣בֶן16 of 27

stone

H68

a stone

הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה17 of 27

them on the great

H1419

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

וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י18 of 27
H376

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)

בֵֽית19 of 27
H0
שֶׁ֗מֶשׁ20 of 27

of Bethshemesh

H1053

beth-shemesh, a place in palestine

הֶֽעֱל֨וּ21 of 27

offered

H5927

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

עֹל֜וֹת22 of 27

burnt offerings

H5930

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

וַֽיִּזְבְּח֧וּ23 of 27

and sacrificed

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

זְבָחִ֛ים24 of 27

sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

בַּיּ֥וֹם25 of 27

the same day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֖וּא26 of 27
H1931

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

לַֽיהוָֽה׃27 of 27

of 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 6:15 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 6:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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