King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 6:7 Mean?

1 Samuel 6:7 in the King James Version says “Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:”

1 Samuel 6:7 · KJV

Context

5

Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods , and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

6

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? wonderfully: or, reproachfully the people: Heb. them

7

Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:

8

And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

9

And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us. he: or, it

Read 1 Samuel 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:

The Ark narrative reveals that God's presence cannot be manipulated through religious symbols or ritualistic practices. Israel's superstitious use of the Ark as a magical talisman demonstrated fundamental misunderstanding of covenant relationship. The Ark's capture and Israel's defeat prove that external religious forms without heart transformation provide no protection from judgment. Yet even in captivity, the Ark demonstrates Yahweh's supremacy—Dagon falls, plagues strike, and the Philistines recognize a power they cannot control or domesticate.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Philistines, part of the 'Sea Peoples' who settled the coastal plain around 1200 BCE, possessed superior iron technology and organized military forces. Their pentapolis (five major cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) controlled coastal trade routes and threatened Israelite settlements in the hill country. The Philistine threat created the political pressure that would eventually lead to Israel's demand for centralized monarchy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 22
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

קְח֨וּ2 of 22

“and take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וַֽעֲשׂ֜וּ3 of 22

“Now therefore make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בָּֽעֲגָלָ֔ה4 of 22

“cart”

H5699

something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle

חֲדָשָׁה֙5 of 22

“new”

H2319

new

אֶחָ֔ת6 of 22

“a”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וּשְׁתֵּ֤י7 of 22

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַפָּרוֹת֙8 of 22

“kine”

H6510

a heifer

עָל֔וֹת9 of 22

“milch”

H5763

to suckle, i.e., give milk

אֲשֶׁ֛ר10 of 22
H834

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

לֹֽא11 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָלָ֥ה12 of 22

“on which there hath come”

H5927

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

עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם13 of 22
H5921

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

עֹ֑ל14 of 22

“no yoke”

H5923

a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively

וַֽאֲסַרְתֶּ֤ם15 of 22

“and tie”

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

אֶת16 of 22
H853

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

הַפָּרוֹת֙17 of 22

“kine”

H6510

a heifer

בָּֽעֲגָלָ֔ה18 of 22

“cart”

H5699

something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle

וַהֲשֵֽׁיבֹתֶ֧ם19 of 22

“and bring”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

בְּנֵיהֶ֛ם20 of 22

“their calves”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מֵאַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם21 of 22

“from them”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַבָּֽיְתָה׃22 of 22

“home”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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 6:7 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 6:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 6:3Numbers 19:21 Chronicles 13:7

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