1 Samuel 6:8

8 tolletisque arcam Domini et ponetis in plaustro et vasa aurea quae exsolvistis ei pro delicto ponetis in capsella ad latus eius et dimittite eam ut vadat

1 Samuel 6:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 6:8

And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart
Which was dispensed with in these uncircumcised Philistines, there being no other to do this service:

and put the jewels of gold;
or rather "vessels of gold" ^F16; the five golden emerods, and the five golden mice:

which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side
thereof;
in a basket, as the Syriac version: in a scrip, as the Arabic; in a purse, or bag, as Josephus ^F17; which latter is probable enough:

and send it away, that it may go;
that is, set it a going, without any driver or guide; but leave it to take its course of itself to the land of Israel. Josephus ^F18 says it was set in a place where three ways met, that it might take which it might; and the taking of the right way must be a strong evidence of its being under the direction of God.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (bhzh ylk) "vasa aurea", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus
F17 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 1. sect. 2.
F18 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 1. sect. 2.

1 Samuel 6:8 In-Context

6 quare gravatis corda vestra sicut adgravavit Aegyptus et Pharao cor suum nonne postquam percussus est tunc dimisit eos et abierunt

7 nunc ergo arripite et facite plaustrum novum unum et duas vaccas fetas quibus non est inpositum iugum iungite in plaustro et recludite vitulos earum domi

8 tolletisque arcam Domini et ponetis in plaustro et vasa aurea quae exsolvistis ei pro delicto ponetis in capsella ad latus eius et dimittite eam ut vadat

9 et aspicietis et si quidem per viam finium suorum ascenderit contra Bethsames ipse fecit nobis malum hoc grande sin autem minime sciemus quia nequaquam manus eius tetigit nos sed casu accidit

10 fecerunt ergo illi hoc modo et tollentes duas vaccas quae lactabant vitulos iunxerunt ad plaustrum vitulosque earum concluserunt domi