1 Samuel 6:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And take {H3947} the ark {H727} of the LORD {H3068}, and lay {H5414} it upon the cart {H5699}; and put {H7760} the jewels {H3627} of gold {H2091}, which ye return {H7725} him for a trespass offering {H817}, in a coffer {H712} by the side {H6654} thereof; and send it away {H7971}, that it may go {H1980}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then take the ark of ADONAI and lay it on the cart. In a box next to it, put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Then send it away to go off by itself,

Berean Standard Bible

Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,

American Standard Version

and take the ark of Jehovah, 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 6:8 meticulously outlines the Philistines' divinely-influenced instructions for the return of the Ark of the LORD to Israel. After seven months of devastating plagues and consulting their religious leaders, they concluded that the afflictions were from the God of Israel and necessitated a "trespass offering." This verse details the practical steps for its return: placing the Ark upon a new cart, depositing the golden images representing their afflictions (tumors and mice) in a coffer beside it, and then sending it away without human guidance, allowing its destination to confirm the source of their suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in the extended narrative of the Ark of the Covenant, which spans [1 Samuel 4-7](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4-7 - The Ark Narrative in Philistia and Israel"). Following Israel's catastrophic defeat by the Philistines and the Ark's capture in [1 Samuel 4:11](/1_samuel/4-11 "1 Samuel 4:11 - The Ark Captured"), the subsequent chapters vividly portray God's sovereign power over both His enemies and their pagan deities. The Ark's presence in Philistine cities—Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron—resulted in severe divine judgments, including the repeated toppling and desecration of Dagon's idol ([1 Samuel 5:4](/1_samuel/5-4 "1 Samuel 5:4 - Dagon's Humiliation")), and widespread plagues of tumors and mice ([1 Samuel 5:6](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6 - Plagues in Ashdod")). After seven months of relentless suffering, the Philistine lords, advised by their priests and diviners, resolve to return the Ark, seeking to appease the God of Israel and ascertain if the plagues were indeed from Him. Verse 8 provides the precise, divinely-inspired instructions for this return, emphasizing the specific details of the accompanying offering and the method of transport, setting the stage for the Ark's miraculous journey back to Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable people inhabiting the coastal plain of Canaan, renowned for their advanced iron technology and military might. Their religious worldview was polytheistic, with primary deities such as Dagon, Ashtoreth, and Baal. In their understanding, a god's power was often confined to its territory or its cultic objects. The events of [1 Samuel 5](/1_samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - The Ark in Philistia") dramatically challenged this perspective, demonstrating the God of Israel's unique, transcendent sovereignty and His ability to inflict judgment beyond Israel's borders and over all other gods. Their decision to offer "jewels of gold" (specifically, golden images of their afflictions as detailed in [1 Samuel 6:4-5](/1_samuel/6-4 "1 Samuel 6:4-5 - Golden Tumors and Mice")) as a "trespass offering" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice: appeasing an offended deity by offering symbolic representations of the affliction or a payment for wrongdoing. While the Philistines' understanding of a "trespass offering" (Hebrew: _'asham'_) might not perfectly align with Israelite sacrificial law, their action reveals their recognition of a powerful, offended deity requiring restitution. The use of a "new cart" also signifies a desire to treat the sacred object with reverence, distinguishing it from common use.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully underscores several key themes. Foremost is the **Divine Sovereignty and Holiness of God**. Even among a pagan nation, the Ark's presence unequivocally demonstrated Yahweh's irresistible power and His judgment against those who dishonored His holy presence. The Philistines' actions, born of fear and desperation, highlight that God's authority extends beyond Israel's borders and triumphs over all other deities, as dramatically shown in Dagon's repeated humiliation before the Ark ([1 Samuel 5:3-4](/1_samuel/5-3 "1 Samuel 5:3-4 - Dagon's Fall")). Secondly, the theme of **Atonement and Restitution** is evident in the Philistines' "trespass offering." Though pagan in origin, their act mirrors the Israelite concept of an offering made to atone for unintentional sin or desecration, emphasizing the need for reconciliation when something sacred has been defiled ([Leviticus 6:2-7](/leviticus/6-2 "Leviticus 6:2-7 - Laws of the Trespass Offering")). This highlights a universal human recognition of guilt and the need to appease an offended divine power. Lastly, the narrative emphasizes the **Reverence for the Sacred**, even from those outside the covenant. Despite their pagan background, the Philistines recognized the Ark's unique power and the need to treat it with a degree of reverence, symbolized by the new cart and the careful placement of the offering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **take (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** This primitive root signifies "to take" in a wide variety of applications, including to accept, bring, fetch, or seize. In this context, it is a direct command from the Philistine priests and diviners, instructing the people to physically retrieve the Ark from its current location. The act of "taking" here is not an act of possession or capture, but rather a deliberate, reverent handling for the purpose of its return.
* **jewels (Hebrew, _kᵉlîy'_):** This term refers to something prepared, an apparatus, implement, utensil, or vessel. While translated "jewels" here, its broader meaning encompasses any kind of article or object. In the context of [1 Samuel 6:4-5](/1_samuel/6-4 "1 Samuel 6:4-5 - The Golden Images"), these "jewels of gold" are specifically identified as the golden images of tumors and mice. Thus, _kᵉlîy_ here denotes the crafted objects intended as the trespass offering, emphasizing their nature as prepared items for a specific ritual purpose.
* **trespass offering (Hebrew, _ʼâshâm'_):** Derived from a root meaning "guilt," this term denotes guilt itself, a fault, or, as here, a sin-offering or trespass offering. In Israelite law, an _'asham_ was a specific sacrifice made for unintentional sins, particularly those involving sacred things or where restitution was due. For the Philistines, though not adhering to Mosaic law, their use of this term and the associated golden images represented their attempt to make amends for the distress caused by their capture and retention of the Ark. It was a payment for the "trespass" they had committed against Yahweh's sacred presence, hoping to avert further divine wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart":** This initial command sets in motion the process of the Ark's return. The instruction to place it upon a "new cart" (as specified in [1 Samuel 6:7](/1_samuel/6-7 "1 Samuel 6:7 - A New Cart")) is significant. A new cart, never used for common purposes, was considered ritually clean and appropriate for transporting such a holy object, distinguishing it from ordinary cargo and demonstrating a measure of reverence.
* **"and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him [for] a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof":** This clause details the accompanying offering. The "jewels of gold" are explicitly identified in [1 Samuel 6:4-5](/1_samuel/6-4 "1 Samuel 6:4-5 - The Golden Images") as five golden tumors and five golden mice, corresponding to the plagues inflicted upon the five Philistine lords and their land. Placing them in a small box or "coffer" signifies their importance as a distinct, dedicated offering. The phrase "[for] a trespass offering" clarifies the Philistines' intent: to make restitution and appease the offended God of Israel. The placement "by the side thereof" (i.e., by the Ark) ensures the offering is clearly associated with the Ark's return and the intended propitiation.
* **"and send it away, that it may go.":** This final instruction emphasizes the passive, divinely-guided nature of the return. The Philistines were to release the cart without human direction, allowing the God of Israel to demonstrate whether the plagues were truly His doing by supernaturally guiding the cart directly back to Israelite territory, specifically Beth-shemesh ([1 Samuel 6:9-12](/1_samuel/6-9 "1 Samuel 6:9-12 - The Cart's Journey")). This act of sending it away was a crucial test of divine causality and sovereignty, relinquishing human control to observe God's hand.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as it is the pagan Philistines, not the covenant people of Israel, who are meticulously following instructions to treat the Ark with reverence and to offer a "trespass offering" to the God they barely know. This stands in stark contrast to Israel's previous cavalier treatment of the Ark, which led to its capture. The golden images themselves serve as powerful **Symbolism**, representing both the Philistines' affliction and their attempt at propitiation; they are tangible signs of divine judgment and the need for atonement. The "new cart" is also **Symbolic**, representing a clean, dedicated vessel fit for the holy, contrasting with the common, mundane uses of other carts. Furthermore, the entire act of sending the Ark away undirected functions as a **Divine Test**, a literary device where the outcome reveals God's active hand and confirms His sovereignty, building suspense and ultimately demonstrating His control over events and His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though describing a pagan action, profoundly illustrates the universal human recognition of divine power and the inherent need for reconciliation when that power is offended. The Philistines' fear-driven offering, however imperfectly understood or executed according to Mosaic law, points to a fundamental theological truth: sin incurs a debt, and a holy God demands restitution or atonement. Their attempt, while rooted in their own cultural practices and born of desperation, reflects a deep-seated human longing for peace with the divine, a desire to avert further judgment, and an acknowledgment of their culpability in the face of overwhelming divine power. This foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect offering to address humanity's profound trespasses against a holy God.

* [Leviticus 5:15-16](/leviticus/5-15 "Leviticus 5:15-16 - Trespass Offering for Unintentional Sins") - Details the Israelite law for a trespass offering, requiring restitution and a sacrifice for unintentional sins against the LORD's holy things.
* [Numbers 16:46-50](/numbers/16-46 "Numbers 16:46-50 - Atonement for Plague") - Describes Aaron making atonement with incense to stop a plague, highlighting the concept of an offering averting divine wrath.
* [Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - The Suffering Servant as a Guilt Offering") - Prophesies that the Lord's Servant would make himself an _'asham_ (guilt offering), pointing to a future, perfect atonement for sin.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Philistines' desperate act of returning the Ark with a trespass offering, though born of fear and ignorance of Yahweh, serves as a profound reminder of God's inescapable holiness and His demand for reverence. In our own lives, we are called to a deeper, more intentional reverence for God, not out of superstitious dread, but out of grateful love for His character and His saving work. This passage challenges us to consider how we approach God, whether we acknowledge His sovereignty over all aspects of our lives, and whether we are quick to confess our "trespasses" and seek reconciliation. It highlights that God's holiness is not to be trifled with, and His presence, whether in judgment or blessing, always demands a response. We are invited to examine our hearts for any areas where we might be treating God or His sacred truths casually, and to respond with humility, repentance, and a renewed commitment to honor Him in all things, recognizing that true reverence flows from a heart transformed by grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Philistines' fearful reverence for the Ark challenge my own understanding and expression of reverence for God?**
* **What "trespasses" or unconfessed sins might I be holding onto that require my acknowledgment and repentance before God?**
* **In what ways do I, like the Philistines, sometimes try to appease God through my own efforts rather than trusting in His perfect provision?**
* **How can I better acknowledge God's sovereignty and holiness in my daily life and decisions?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Philistines use a new cart and golden images to return the Ark?**

Answer: The Philistines used a new cart to signify reverence and ritual purity for the sacred object. A new cart, never used for common purposes, was considered appropriate for transporting the Ark of the LORD, distinguishing it from ordinary cargo. The "jewels of gold" were specific golden images of the tumors and mice that had afflicted them ([1 Samuel 6:4-5](/1_samuel/6-4 "1 Samuel 6:4-5 - The Golden Images")), serving as a "trespass offering" (Hebrew: _'asham'_). This was their attempt to make restitution and appease the God of Israel, acknowledging that the plagues were His doing and hoping to avert further divine wrath. It was a common ancient Near Eastern practice to offer representations of an affliction to an offended deity, and they were seeking to test whether the plagues were truly from the God of Israel by observing the cart's undirected journey back to Israelite territory ([1 Samuel 6:9](/1_samuel/6-9 "1 Samuel 6:9 - The Test of the Cart")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Philistines' desperate attempt to appease an offended God with an inadequate "trespass offering" of golden images profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect atonement provided in Jesus Christ. Their offering, born of fear and superstition, could only symbolically acknowledge a debt, but it could not truly cleanse or reconcile. In stark contrast, the New Testament reveals that Jesus is the true and complete "trespass offering" for humanity's sin, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His sacrifice on the cross was not a mere symbolic payment but a full and final propitiation for our sins ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")), satisfying the righteous demands of God's holiness. Unlike the Philistines' offering, which only temporarily averted judgment, Christ's perfect sacrifice provides eternal reconciliation and peace with God for all who believe ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of every Old Testament offering, providing the perfect means by which humanity's trespasses against a holy God are fully atoned for, not with gold, but with His precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Blood")). Through Him, we are not merely appeasing an offended deity, but entering into a covenant relationship with a loving Father, freely forgiven and fully restored ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")).

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

1 Samuel 6:3

And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

1 Samuel 6:5

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.