King James Version:
And [they of] Bethshemesh [were] reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see [it].
Complete Jewish Bible:
The people of Beit-Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley when they looked up and saw the ark. They were so happy to see it!
Berean Standard Bible:
Now the people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they were overjoyed at the sight.
American Standard Version:
And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
Cross-References (KJV):
No cross-references found.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1053
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ
Transliteration: Bêyth Shemesh
Pronunciation: bayth sheh'-mesh
Description: from בַּיִת and שֶׁמֶשׁ; house of (the) sun; Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine; Beth-shemesh. - Strong's Number: H7114
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָצַר
Transliteration: qâtsar
Pronunciation: kaw-tsar'
Description: a primitive root; to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain); [idiom] at all, cut down, much discouraged, grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax) short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex. - Strong's Number: H2406
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חִטָּה
Transliteration: chiṭṭâh
Pronunciation: khit-taw'
Description: of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the plant; wheat(-en). - Strong's Number: H7105
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָצִיר
Transliteration: qâtsîyr
Pronunciation: kaw-tseer'
Description: from קָצַר; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage); bough, branch, harvest (man). - Strong's Number: H6010
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵמֶק
Transliteration: ʻêmeq
Pronunciation: ay'-mek
Description: from עָמַק; a vale (i.e. broad depression); dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names). See also בֵּית הָעֵמֶק. - Strong's Number: H5375
There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשָׂא
Transliteration: nâsâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-saw'
Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H727
There are 467 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָרוֹן
Transliteration: ʼârôwn
Pronunciation: aw-rone'
Description: or אָרֹן; from אָרָה (in the sense of gathering); a box; ark, chest, coffin. - Strong's Number: H8055
There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂמַח
Transliteration: sâmach
Pronunciation: saw-makh'
Description: a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome; cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, [idiom] very.
Commentary for 1 Samuel 6:13
1 Samuel 6:13 is set within the broader narrative of the Philistines' capture of the Ark of the Covenant and their subsequent return of it to the Israelites. The Philistines had taken the Ark in battle, but their victory was short-lived as they were struck with a series of plagues, which they interpreted as divine punishment from the God of Israel. After consulting their priests and diviners, the Philistines decided to return the Ark to the Israelites, hoping to be rid of the plagues.
In the verse itself, the scene is set in Bethshemesh, a town in the territory of Judah. The people of Bethshemesh are depicted as reaping their wheat harvest, a time of significant agricultural activity and thus a moment of economic and spiritual importance. The wheat harvest was crucial for the community's sustenance and symbolized divine provision and blessing.
Upon seeing the Ark being returned, the people of Bethshemesh react with great joy. Their rejoicing is not merely for the recovery of a sacred object but also because the Ark represented the presence of God among His people. The Ark was the most sacred object in Israelite worship, symbolizing God's covenant with them and His guidance over their nation. Its return signified a restoration of their relationship with God and a hope for divine favor and protection.
The historical context of this verse reflects a period of political and religious instability in Israel, as the nation transitioned from the period of the judges to the monarchy. The return of the Ark to Bethshemesh can be seen as a moment of national reassurance and a reaffirmation of God's covenant with Israel during a time when their faith and identity were often under threat from external and internal challenges.