King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 6:18 Mean?

1 Samuel 6:18 in the King James Version says “And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of f... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. great: or, great stone

1 Samuel 6:18 · KJV


Context

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;

18

And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. great: or, great stone

19

And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

20

And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Beth-shemite.

The golden mice extended beyond the five capital cities to represent all Philistine settlements - both fortified cities ('ir mivtsar') and unwalled villages ('perazot'). This comprehensive offering acknowledged that the plague had spread throughout Philistine territory. The reference to 'the great stone of Abel' (possibly 'stone of mourning' or simply 'great stone') served as a permanent memorial. The narrator's note 'which stone remaineth unto this day' indicates this account was written while the memorial still stood, verifying the historical reality for original readers. The stone that received the Ark became a lasting witness to God's sovereignty over pagan nations and His faithfulness in returning to His people. Such memorials throughout Scripture (Jacob's pillar, Joshua's stones) serve to anchor faith in historical events.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The term 'Abel' may mean 'meadow' or relate to 'ebel' (mourning), given subsequent events. Archaeological evidence confirms the existence of both fortified Philistine cities and smaller dependent villages throughout the coastal plain. The stone memorial would have been a recognizable landmark for the original audience.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture emphasize physical memorials of God's mighty acts?
  2. What 'stones of remembrance' mark significant encounters with God in your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְעַכְבְּרֵ֣י1 of 29

mice

H5909

a mouse (as nibbling)

הַזָּהָ֗ב2 of 29

And the golden

H2091

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

מִסְפַּ֞ר3 of 29

according to the number

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

כָּל4 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מֵעִ֣יר5 of 29

cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

פְלִשְׁתִּים֙6 of 29

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

לַֽחֲמֵ֣שֶׁת7 of 29

belonging to the five

H2568

five

הַסְּרָנִ֔ים8 of 29

lords

H5633

an axle

מֵעִ֣יר9 of 29

cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מִבְצָ֔ר10 of 29

both of fenced

H4013

a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

וְעַ֖ד11 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כֹּ֣פֶר12 of 29

villages

H3724

properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)

הַפְּרָזִ֑י13 of 29

and of country

H6521

a rustic

וְעַ֣ד׀14 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אָבֵ֣ל15 of 29

stone of Abel

H59

abel, the name of two places in palestine

הַגְּדוֹלָ֗ה16 of 29

even unto the great

H1419

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר17 of 29
H834

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

הִנִּ֤יחוּ18 of 29

whereon they set down

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

עָלֶ֙יהָ֙19 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֵ֚ת20 of 29
H853

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

אֲר֣וֹן21 of 29

the ark

H727

a box

יְהוָ֔ה22 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

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

עַ֚ד23 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֣וֹם24 of 29

which stone remaineth unto this 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

הַזֶּ֔ה25 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה26 of 29

in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ27 of 29

of Joshua

H3091

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

בֵּֽית28 of 29
H0
הַשִּׁמְשִֽׁי׃29 of 29

the Bethshemite

H1030

a beth-shimshite, or inhabitant of bethshemesh


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 6:18 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 6:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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