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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 6:19 But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/6-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/09_1Sa_06_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 6:19 - The Ark Returned to Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. 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The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> But the LORD killed seventy men from Beth-shemesh because they looked into the Ark of the LORD. And the people mourned greatly because of what the LORD had done. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/6.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/6.htm">New King James Version</a> Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck fifty thousand and seventy men of the people, and the people lamented because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now He fatally struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck 50,070 men among the people, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down of all the people, 50,070 men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down of all the people, 50,070 men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh. He struck down of all the people, 50,070 men, and the people mourned because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The LORD struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down 50,070 men among the people, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> God struck down the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy persons. The people mourned because the LORD struck them with a great slaughter. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> God struck down the men of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down 70 men out of 50,000 men. The people mourned because the LORD struck them with a great slaughter. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he smote of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of Jehovah, he smote of the people seventy men, and fifty thousand men; and the people mourned, because Jehovah had smitten the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Some of the men of Beth-Shemesh looked inside the sacred chest, and the LORD God killed 70 of them. This made the people of Beth-Shemesh very sad, <a href="/erv/1_samuel/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he smote of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people seventy men, and fifty thousand men: and the people mourned, because the LORD had smitten the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God struck down some of the people from Beth Shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down 70 people. The people mourned because the LORD struck them with such a great blow. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD killed seventy of the men of Beth Shemesh because they looked inside the Covenant Box. And the people mourned because the LORD had caused such a great slaughter among them. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> God struck down the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the Ark of the LORD. He struck down 50,070 men among the people, and the people mourned because the LORD struck down the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter. <a href="/net/1_samuel/6.htm">NET Bible</a> But the LORD struck down some of the people of Beth Shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD; he struck down 50,070 of the men. The people grieved because the LORD had struck the people with a hard blow. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But the sons of Jeconiah did not rejoice with the people of Beth Shemesh when they saw the ark of the LORD. So he struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned, because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and seventy men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/web/1_samuel/6.htm">World English Bible</a> He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into Yahweh’s ark, he struck fifty thousand seventy of the men. Then the people mourned, because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He strikes among the men of Beth-Shemesh, for they looked into the Ark of YHWH, indeed, He strikes seventy men [out] of fifty thousand men [[or fifty thousand and seventy men]] among the people; and the people mourn, because YHWH struck among the people [with] a great striking. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And He smiteth among the men of Beth-Shemesh, for they looked into the ark of Jehovah, yea, He smiteth among the people seventy men -- fifty chief men; and the people mourn, because Jehovah smote among the people -- a great smiting. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will strike upon the men of the House of the Sun, for they saw in the ark of Jehovah, and he will strike upon the people seventy men, and fifty thousand men: and the people will mourn because Jehovah smote among the people a great smiting.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But he slew of the men of Bethsames, because they had seen the ark of the Lord: and he slew of the people seventy men, and fifty thousand of the common people. And the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then he struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had seen the ark of the Lord. And he struck down some of the people: seventy men, and fifty thousand of the common people. And the people lamented, because the Lord had struck the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/6.htm">New American Bible</a> The descendants of Jeconiah did not join in the celebration with the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh when they saw the ark of the LORD, and seventy of them were struck down. The people mourned over this great calamity which the LORD had inflicted upon them. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The descendants of Jeconiah did not rejoice with the people of Beth-shemesh when they greeted the ark of the LORD; and he killed seventy men of them. The people mourned because the LORD had made a great slaughter among the people.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the LORD smote the men of Beth-shemesh because they worshipped the ark of the LORD, and the LORD smote five thousand and seventy men of the people; and the people mourned because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And LORD JEHOVAH struck the people of Bayth Shemesh because they worshiped the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH, and LORD JEHOVAH struck five thousand and seventy men among the people, and the people made lamentation, because LORD JEHOVAH struck a great slaughter among the people <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And He smote of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had gazed upon the ark of the LORD, even He smote of the people seventy men, and fifty thousand men; and the people mourned, because the LORD had smitten the people with a great slaughter. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the sons of Jechonias were not pleased with the men of Baethsamys, because they saw the ark of the Lord; and the Lord smote among them seventy men, and fifty thousand men: and the people mourned, because the Lord had inflicted on the people, a very great plague. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/6-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1582" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/6.htm">The Ark Returned to Israel</a> …18The number of gold rats also corresponded to the number of Philistine cities belonging to the five rulers—the fortified cities and their outlying villages. And the large rock on which they placed the ark of the LORD stands to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh. 19<a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">But God struck down</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: bə·’an·šê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1053.htm" title="1053: ḇêṯ- (Prep) -- From bayith and shemesh; house of sun; Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine.">some of the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/1053.htm" title="1053: še·meš (N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and shemesh; house of sun; Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine.">of Beth-shemesh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">they looked</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: ba·’ă·rō·wn (Prep-b:: N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">inside the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">He struck down</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: bā·‘ām (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: šiḇ·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy.">seventy</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2572.htm" title="2572: ḥă·miš·šîm (Number-cp) -- Fifty. Multiple of chamesh; fifty."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/56.htm" title="56: way·yiṯ·’ab·bə·lū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To mourn. A primitive root; to bewail.">and the people mourned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: bā·‘ām (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: hik·kāh (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">had struck</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: ḡə·ḏō·lå̄h (Adj-fs) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">with a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/4347.htm" title="4347: mak·kāh (N-fs) -- A blow, wound, slaughter. Or makkeh; from nakah; a blow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence.">slaughter.</a> 20The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">2 Samuel 6:6-7</a> When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God. <a href="/numbers/4-15.htm">Numbers 4:15</a> When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting. <a href="/leviticus/10-1.htm">Leviticus 10:1-2</a> Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. <a href="/1_chronicles/13-9.htm">1 Chronicles 13:9-10</a> When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. <a href="/numbers/4-20.htm">Numbers 4:20</a> But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.” <a href="/exodus/19-21.htm">Exodus 19:21-22</a> and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish. / Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.” <a href="/1_chronicles/15-13.htm">1 Chronicles 15:13</a> It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” <a href="/2_samuel/6-13.htm">2 Samuel 6:13</a> When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. <a href="/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2</a> Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.” <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Numbers 1:51</a> Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death. <a href="/1_chronicles/15-11.htm">1 Chronicles 15:11-15</a> David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. / And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. / It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/11-30.htm">1 Corinthians 11:30</a> That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. <a href="/hebrews/12-28.htm">Hebrews 12:28-29</a> Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. / “For our God is a consuming fire.” <a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Acts 5:1-11</a> Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a> Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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 three score and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.he smote<a href="/exodus/19-21.htm">Exodus 19:21</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.<a href="/leviticus/10-1.htm">Leviticus 10:1-3</a> And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not… <a href="/numbers/4-4.htm">Numbers 4:4,5,15,20</a> This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/6-18.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-18.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-15.htm">Bethshemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-15.htm">Beth-Shemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-14.htm">Beth-She'mesh</a> <a href="/genesis/50-10.htm">Lamented</a> <a href="/judges/11-38.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/judges/12-14.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-15.htm">Shemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-17.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-12.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-9.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-9.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/judges/12-14.htm">Threescore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">Bethshemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">Beth-Shemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">Beth-She'mesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-2.htm">Lamented</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-2.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-15.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">Shemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-14.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-11.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-10.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-11.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-10.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-4.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-8.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm">Threescore</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 6</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/6-10.htm">They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh</a> 19. <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">The people are smitten for looking into the ark</a> 21. <a href="/1_samuel/6-21.htm">They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch it</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh Beth-shemesh was a Levitical city in the territory of Judah, designated for the Kohathites, who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary's sacred objects. The city's name means "House of the Sun," indicating its possible historical significance as a center of sun worship before Israelite occupation. The striking down of the people here underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of His commands regarding the Ark of the Covenant.because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in Israel, representing God's presence and covenant with His people. According to the Law, only the high priest could approach the Ark, and even then, only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The act of looking inside the Ark was a direct violation of God's command and a display of irreverence. This incident echoes the holiness and untouchability of sacred things, similar to the fate of Uzzah in <a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">2 Samuel 6:6-7</a>, who was struck down for touching the Ark.He struck down seventy men, The number seventy may symbolize completeness or a significant portion of the community, reflecting the severity of the offense. In some manuscripts, the number is recorded as fifty thousand and seventy, though this is likely a textual variation. The emphasis is on the divine judgment that fell upon those who disrespected the Ark.and the people mourned The mourning of the people indicates their recognition of the gravity of the situation and their sorrow over the loss. Mourning in the biblical context often involved wearing sackcloth, fasting, and lamentation, reflecting a deep sense of repentance and acknowledgment of sin.because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter. The term "great slaughter" emphasizes the magnitude of the divine judgment. This event served as a powerful reminder to Israel of the holiness of God and the importance of obedience to His commands. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and the need for atonement, pointing to the future work of Jesus Christ, who provides the way for humanity to approach God through His sacrifice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The sovereign and holy God who enforces His commandments and punishes disobedience. 2. <a href="/topical/m/men_of_beth-shemesh.htm">Men of Beth-shemesh</a> Residents of the town of Beth-shemesh who disobeyed God's command by looking into the Ark of the Covenant. 3. <a href="/topical/b/beth-shemesh.htm">Beth-shemesh</a> A town in the territory of Judah, significant for being a Levitical city and a place where the Ark was temporarily housed. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_ark_of_the_lord.htm">The Ark of the LORD</a> The sacred chest representing God's presence and covenant with Israel, containing the tablets of the Law. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_great_slaughter.htm">The Great Slaughter</a> The divine judgment executed by God, resulting in the death of seventy men for their irreverence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_god's_holiness.htm">Reverence for God's Holiness</a> God's holiness demands reverence and obedience. The men of Beth-shemesh were punished for their irreverence, reminding us to approach God with respect and awe. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> The incident underscores the importance of adhering to God's instructions. Disobedience, especially concerning sacred matters, can lead to severe consequences. <a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a> Sin has real and serious consequences. The mourning of the people of Beth-shemesh serves as a reminder of the impact of sin on a community. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a> While God is just in His punishment, His actions also serve as a call to repentance and a deeper understanding of His nature. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a> The account encourages us to learn from the mistakes of others, ensuring that we do not repeat them in our own spiritual journey.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 6</a> <a href="/q/reconcile_1_sam_6_19_death_toll,_proof.htm">How do we reconcile the differing accounts of the death toll (70 vs. 50,070) in 1 Samuel 6:19, and is there archaeological proof of such an event? </a> <a href="/q/why_is_the_ark_less_central_in_1_sam_7.htm">Why does the Ark of the Covenant play a lesser role here (1 Samuel 7) compared to accounts in earlier chapters?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_evidence_of_ark's_power.htm">2 Samuel 6:12–15 – Why does the Ark’s presence generate such transformative effects, yet no archaeological evidence of its power or existence is found? </a> <a href="/q/why_exclude_levites_in_numbers_1_47-53.htm">What rationale is given for excluding Levites from the census in Numbers 1:47–53, and how does this affect the overall population count?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) They had looked into the ark.--Some commentators consider that the words here should be rendered, "because they had looked at the Ark" with a foolish irreverent staring, which dishonoured the holiness of the sacred mercy-seat; but it is better far to preserve the rendering of our English Version, which is also the favourite Rabbinical explanation of the original. It seems probable that the chief men of the city, most of whom were priests and Levites, after the festive rejoicings which accompanied the sacrificial feast celebrating the Ark's joyful return, heated with wine, lost all sense of reverence, and determined to use this opportunity of gazing into that sacred chest of which they had heard so much, and into which no profane eye in Israel had ever peered, since the golden Cover--on which the glory of the Eternal loved to rest--had sealed up the sacred treasures in the wilderness. Perhaps they wished to see those grey Sinai tablets on which the finger of God had traced His ten solemn commandments; perhaps they excused themselves by a desire to learn if the Philistines had violated the secrets of the holy chest.Even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men.--Here it is perfectly clear that the present Hebrew text, which the English Version literally renders, is corrupt. The system of writing letters for numbers, as we have seen, constantly has occasioned great discrepancies in the several versions, &c. Here the arrangement of the letters which express this enormous number is quite unusual, and taken by itself would be sufficient to excite grave doubts as to the accuracy of this text. The number of stricken ones, 50,070, is simply inconceivable. Beth-shemesh was never a large or important place; there were, in fact, no great cities in Israel, the population was always a scattered one, the people living generally on their farms. Dean Payne Smith computes the population of Jerusalem in its best days as under 70,000. The various versions, LXX., Chaldee, &c, vary in their rendering of these astounding figures. Josephus, Antt. vi. 1, ? 4, in his account of this occurrence speaks of the smitten as numbering seventy. This is probably the correct number. A strange reading, which the LXX. inserts here, deserves to be quoted; it is another proof of the uncertainty of the text at the close of this sixth chapter: "And the children of Jechoniah among the Beth-shemites were not pleased with the men of Beth-shemesh because they saw the Ark, and he smote them, &c." Erdmann, in Lange, is inclined to believe the LXX. Version represents the true text, and thus comments on it: "The reason of the sudden death of the seventy of the race of Jechoniah is their unsympathising and, therefore, unholy bearing towards the symbols of God's presence among His people, which showed a mind wholly estranged from the living God--a symptom of the religious moral degeneracy which had spread among the people, though piety was still to be found."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - He emote the men of Beth-shemesh, etc. In this verse also the text is undoubtedly corrupt. The Septuagint ascribes the sin not to all the people, but to "the sons of Jeconiah, who were not glad when they saw the ark, and he smote them." But as this reading is not supported by the other versions we may pass it by. The numbers, however, are evidently wrong. Fifty thousand men would imply a population of 250,000 people, whereas Jerusalem itself in its palmiest days never had a population of even 70,000. There were no large cities among the Israelites, but a scattered population living upon their fields, and with a few small walled towns here and there to protect them and their cattle in any sudden emergency. Kennicott, however, has satisfactorily explained the mistake. In the old way of denoting numbers by the letters of the alphabet an ain = 70 had been mistaken for a nun with two dots = 50,000. The Syriac has 5000, that is, a nun with one dot. We must add that the Hebrew is not fifty thousand and threescore and ten men, but "seventy men, fifty thousand men," without any article between, and with the smaller number first, contrary to Hebrew rule. The occasion of the calamity was probably as follows: - As the news of the return of the ark spread from mouth to mouth, the people flocked together to take part in the sacrifice. which would of course be followed by a feast. Heated thereat by wine, perhaps, and merriment, they lost all sense of reverence, and encouraged one another to look into the ark and examine its contents, though the words need not absolutely mean more than that "they looked at the ark." Even so the men of Beth-shemesh, as a city of priests, must have known that death was the penalty of unhallowed gazing at holy things (<a href="/numbers/4-20.htm">Numbers 4:20</a>), and it is more than probable that those who were smitten were priests, because in them it would be a heinous sin; for it was a repetition of that contempt for religion and its symbols which had been condemned so sternly in Eli's sons. The mere seeing of the ark was no sin, and had given the people only joy (ver. 13), but as soon as they had received it the priests ought to have covered it with a vail (<a href="/numbers/4-5.htm">Numbers 4:5</a>). To leave it without a vail was neglectful, to pry into it was sacrilege. Because Jehovah had smitten many of the people, etc. This clause should be translated, "because Jehovah had smitten the people with a great smiting." The sudden death even of seventy men in an agricultural district, especially if they were the heads of the priestly families there, would be a great and terrible calamity, enough to fill the whole place with grief. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/6-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But God struck down וַיַּ֞ךְ (way·yaḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To strike some of the people בֵֽית־ (ḇêṯ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> of Beth-shemesh שֶׁ֗מֶשׁ (še·meš) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1053.htm">Strong's 1053: </a> Beth-shemesh -- 'sun temple', three places in Palestine, also a place in Egypt because כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction they looked רָאוּ֙ (rā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see inside the ark בַּאֲר֣וֹן (ba·’ă·rō·wn) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> A chest, ark of the LORD. יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel He struck down וַיַּ֤ךְ (way·yaḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To strike seventy שִׁבְעִ֣ים (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7657.htm">Strong's 7657: </a> Seventy (a cardinal number) men, אִ֑ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person and the people mourned וַיִּֽתְאַבְּל֣וּ (way·yiṯ·’ab·bə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_56.htm">Strong's 56: </a> To bewail because כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the LORD יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had struck הִכָּ֧ה (hik·kāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To strike them הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock with a great גְדוֹלָֽה‪‬ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent slaughter. מַכָּ֥ה (mak·kāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4347.htm">Strong's 4347: </a> A wound, carnage, pestilence <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 6:19 He struck of the men of Beth (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/6-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 6:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 6:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 6:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 6:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>