1 Samuel 6:20

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the men {H582} of Bethshemesh {H1053} said {H559}, Who is able {H3201} to stand {H5975} before {H6440} this holy {H6918} LORD {H3068} God {H430}? and to whom shall he go up {H5927} from us?

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Beit-Shemesh asked, "Who can stand before ADONAI, this holy God? To whom can we send it, to get it away from us?"

Berean Standard Bible

The 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?”

American Standard Version

And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before Jehovah, this holy God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the catastrophic judgment upon the men of Bethshemesh for their irreverent gaze into the Ark of the Covenant, 1 Samuel 6:20 encapsulates their profound terror and desperation. Overwhelmed by the raw, unmediated display of divine holiness and the devastating consequences of their sin, the survivors articulate a fearful question: who can possibly endure in the presence of such a holy God, and how can they rid themselves of this terrifying, burdensome presence? This verse starkly highlights the chasm between humanity's sinfulness and God's absolute purity, underscoring the perilous nature of approaching the sacred without proper reverence and mediation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic expression of fear and desperation following a tragic incident in Bethshemesh, detailed in [1 Samuel 6:13-19](/1_samuel/6-13 "1 Samuel 6:13-19 - The Return of the Ark and the Bethshemesh Judgment"). The Ark of the Covenant, after seven months of afflicting the Philistines, had just been returned to Israelite territory by a divinely guided cart. The people of Bethshemesh, Levitical priests among them, received the Ark with rejoicing and sacrifice. However, in their misguided zeal or curiosity, some of them looked directly into the Ark, an act explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law for all but specific Levites, and even then, only under strict conditions of covering (cf. [Numbers 4:15](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15 - Regulations for Handling the Ark")). This sacrilege provoked a severe divine judgment, resulting in the death of seventy men (or 50,070 in some textual traditions, though seventy is widely preferred by scholars as more consistent with the narrative). The verse immediately precedes the Bethshemeshites' appeal to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim to take the Ark from them, setting the stage for its long stay there (cf. [1 Samuel 7:1](/1_samuel/7-1 "1 Samuel 7:1 - The Ark at Kiriath-jearim")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in ancient Israel, representing God's throne and His very presence among His people. Its design and handling were meticulously prescribed in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Exodus 25:10-22](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10-22 - Instructions for the Ark")). Only the Levites of the Kohathite clan were permitted to carry it, and it was to be covered before transport; even they were forbidden from touching or looking directly at its sacred contents (cf. [Numbers 4:15-20](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15-20 - Kohathite Duties and Warnings")). The Bethshemeshites, though near a Levitical city, evidently disregarded these strictures. The concept of divine holiness in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, often involved a sense of inherent danger associated with the sacred. Unsanctioned contact with holy objects or spaces was believed to invite divine wrath, as seen in other biblical accounts like Nadab and Abihu's death for offering "strange fire" before the LORD ([Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")). The incident at Bethshemesh underscores the absolute necessity of approaching God on His terms, not human ones.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Samuel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **God's Unapproachable Holiness and Sovereignty**. The question "Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?" underscores the vast chasm between the infinitely pure and transcendent Creator and finite, sinful humanity. God's holiness is not merely a moral attribute but an intrinsic aspect of His being that demands absolute reverence and sets Him apart from all creation. Secondly, the verse illustrates the **Consequences of Disobedience and Sacrilege**. The divine judgment at Bethshemesh serves as a stark warning against treating sacred things casually or violating God's explicit commands regarding His presence. This theme reappears later in the narrative with Uzzah's death for touching the Ark ([2 Samuel 6:6-7](/2_samuel/6-6 "2 Samuel 6:6-7 - Uzzah's Death for Touching the Ark")), reinforcing the consistent divine demand for reverent obedience. Finally, the second part of the Bethshemeshites' cry, "and to whom shall he go up from us?", reveals the **Burden of God's Presence When Improperly Approached**. Rather than a source of blessing and protection, God's presence became a terrifying liability, prompting a desperate desire for its removal. This contrasts sharply with the joy and security experienced when God's presence is welcomed with humble obedience and proper worship, as seen in David's later bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem ([2 Samuel 6:12-15](/2_samuel/6-12 "2 Samuel 6:12-15 - David Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Holy (Hebrew, _qadosh_):** This term signifies that which is "set apart," "consecrated," or "distinct." When applied to God, it describes His absolute moral purity, His transcendence, and His separation from all that is common, profane, or sinful. It denotes His majestic, awe-inspiring nature that demands reverence and respect. The Bethshemeshites' use of this word indicates a sudden, terrifying realization of God's utterly unique and dangerous purity in contrast to their own defilement.
* **LORD God (Hebrew, _YHWH Elohim_):** "LORD" (יְהוָה, _YHweh_, often rendered Yahweh) is God's personal, covenant name, emphasizing His active, relational presence and His faithfulness to His promises. "God" (אֱלֹהִים, _Elohim_) is a more general term for deity, but here it refers to the supreme Creator and Sovereign. The combination underscores that the God who is personally present among them is also the ultimate, transcendent, and holy Ruler of all. The Bethshemeshites are encountering the full, terrifying weight of the covenant-keeping, sovereign God.
* **Stand (Hebrew, _'amad_):** This verb implies enduring, surviving, or maintaining one's position in the face of an overwhelming force. In this context, it conveys the inability of sinful humanity to remain in the immediate, unmediated presence of a holy God without perishing. It speaks to their utter vulnerability and inadequacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men of Bethshemesh said":** This opening phrase indicates a communal, unified response of profound fear and desperation from the survivors. Their words are not a casual remark but an outcry born of terror and a sudden, painful awareness of divine power and judgment.
* **"Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?":** This rhetorical question expresses their overwhelming sense of human inadequacy and vulnerability in the face of God's absolute holiness. Having witnessed the swift and deadly consequences of their irreverence, they realize that no one, in their sinful state, can safely endure in the unmediated presence of such a pure and powerful God. It highlights the vast, unbridgeable chasm between divine perfection and human impurity.
* **"and to whom shall he go up from us?":** This second rhetorical question reveals their desperate desire for the Ark, and thus God's immediate presence, to be removed from them. They perceive God's presence not as a blessing but as an unbearable, life-threatening burden. Their concern is no longer about reverence or obedience, but about self-preservation and escape from the terrifying proximity of the Holy One.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs a **Rhetorical Question** ("Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?"). These questions are not posed to elicit information but to express the profound terror, helplessness, and desperation of the Bethshemeshites. They underscore the overwhelming nature of God's holiness and the human inability to withstand it. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in their cry, reflecting the extreme emotional state of the people who have just witnessed a devastating divine judgment. Their questions, while genuine expressions of fear, are exaggerated to convey the utter impossibility of their situation. Furthermore, a subtle **Irony** is present: the Ark, which was Israel's greatest treasure and symbol of God's presence, becomes a terrifying burden that they desperately wish to be rid of, precisely because of their own sin and irreverence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The incident at Bethshemesh and the desperate cry of its survivors encapsulate a foundational theological truth: God is utterly holy, and sinful humanity cannot approach Him on its own terms without dire consequences. This truth pervades the Old Testament, emphasizing the necessity of mediation, atonement, and strict adherence to divine commands when encountering the sacred. The Ark, as the physical representation of God's presence, served as a tangible reminder of this divine attribute. The Bethshemeshites' experience underscores that God's holiness is not merely an abstract concept but a powerful, active force that demands reverence and separates the clean from the unclean, the sacred from the profane. Their question, "Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?", echoes the universal human predicament in the face of divine purity, setting the stage for the revelation of God's gracious provision for reconciliation.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")
* [Isaiah 6:1-5](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1-5 - Isaiah's Vision of God's Holiness")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling cry of the Bethshemeshites serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of the profound reverence due to God. In an age often characterized by casual approaches to spirituality, this verse calls us back to a deep understanding of God's absolute holiness, His justice, and the serious implications of treating His presence or His commands lightly. While the Old Covenant emphasized the awe-inspiring distance between a holy God and sinful humanity, it also foreshadowed the ultimate solution. For us today, the question "Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?" finds its answer not in our own merit or ability to perfectly adhere to ceremonial law, but in the gracious provision of Jesus Christ. We are called to worship God with reverence and awe, recognizing His unchanging nature, even as we approach Him with confidence through the new and living way opened by Christ's sacrifice. This balance of reverent fear and confident access is crucial for a healthy spiritual life, preventing both presumption and despair.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the incident at Bethshemesh challenge my own assumptions about God's holiness and my approach to Him?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to treat God or spiritual matters casually, and what are the potential dangers of such an attitude?**
* **How does understanding God's holiness deepen my appreciation for the grace offered through Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of reverence and awe in my personal worship and daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why were the men of Bethshemesh punished for looking into the Ark?**

Answer: The punishment was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of violating God's explicit commands regarding the Ark of the Covenant. According to Mosaic Law, specifically [Numbers 4:15-20](/numbers/4-15 "Numbers 4:15-20 - Regulations for Handling the Ark"), only specific Levites (Kohathites) were permitted to handle the Ark, and even then, only after it had been covered by the priests. No one, not even the Levites, was permitted to look directly at the sacred contents of the Ark, lest they die. The Ark represented the very presence of God, and unauthorized access or irreverent curiosity was considered a profound sacrilege, a direct affront to God's holiness and sovereignty. The severity of the judgment underscored the absolute necessity of approaching God on His terms, not human ones, and the inherent danger of treating the sacred as common.

**What does "to whom shall he go up from us?" mean?**

Answer: This phrase expresses the desperate desire of the Bethshemeshites for the Ark, and thus God's immediate, terrifying presence, to be removed from their midst. "Go up" likely refers to the Ark being carried away, perhaps "going up" to a higher place or another city. Having witnessed the devastating judgment, they no longer perceived God's presence as a blessing or a source of protection, but as an overwhelming, dangerous burden that brought death and destruction. Their question is a plea for someone else to take on the perilous responsibility of hosting the Ark, as they felt utterly incapable of enduring its holy presence any longer.

**Is God still "unapproachable" today, as implied by this verse?**

Answer: In His essential nature, God remains absolutely holy, transcendent, and separate from all sin, making Him inherently "unapproachable" to sinful humanity on our own terms. [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire") reminds us that "our God is a consuming fire." However, the New Testament reveals that the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity has been bridged through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. While God's holiness has not diminished, His grace has provided a way for us to approach Him. Through Christ, we can now "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")), not because we are less sinful, but because Christ's righteousness covers us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). So, while God remains awesome and holy, He is now accessible to those who come through faith in His Son, though always with reverence and awe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate cry of the Bethshemeshites in [1 Samuel 6:20](/1_samuel/6-20 "1 Samuel 6:20 - Who Can Stand Before God?") – "Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?" – powerfully articulates the universal human predicament under the Old Covenant. It reveals humanity's utter inability to endure in the unmediated presence of a perfectly holy God due to sin. The Ark, representing God's presence, became a source of terror and judgment, highlighting the need for a perfect mediator and a new way of access. This profound Old Testament tension finds its glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate answer to the Bethshemeshites' question, for He alone is able to stand before the holy LORD God, not only as fully God but also as fully human, perfectly righteous, and without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ became the propitiation for our sins, satisfying God's righteous wrath and bridging the chasm that separated humanity from God ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation")). He is our great High Priest, who has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood, securing an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Therefore, while the Bethshemeshites cried out for the Ark to "go up from us," we, through faith in Christ, are now invited to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Jesus transforms the terrifying burden of God's presence into a source of life, peace, and confident communion, making the Holy One approachable for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 6:9

And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

Malachi 3:2

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Numbers 17:12

And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.

Numbers 17:13

Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?

2 Samuel 6:7

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error; and there he died by the ark of God.

1 Chronicles 13:11

And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.