King James Version
1 Samuel 6:20 in the King James Version says “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?” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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?”
1 Samuel 6:20 · King James Version
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
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.
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?
And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.
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)
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
“to stand”
H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
“before”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
“God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“this holy”
H6918sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
“and to whom shall he go up”
H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
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.
1 Samuel 6:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Samuel 6:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge