1 Samuel 6:10
1 Samuel 6:10 in Multiple Translations
So the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves.
¶ And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
And the men did so, and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home;
And the men did so; they took two cows, yoking them to the cart and shutting up their young ones in their living-place:
So that's what the people did. They took two milk cows and tied them to the cart, and kept their calves in a stall.
And the men did so: for they tooke two kine that gaue milke, and tied them to the cart, and shut the calues at home.
And the men do so, and take two suckling kine, and bind them in the cart, and their young ones they have shut up in the house;
The men did so, and took two milk cows and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
And the men did so; and took two milch cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
They did therefore in this manner: and taking two kine, that had suckling calves, they yoked them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
So the people did what the priests and men who predicted what would happen in the future told them to do. They made a cart and hitched two cows to it. They took the calves from their mothers.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 6:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 6:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּעֲשׂ֤וּ
הָ/אֲנָשִׁים֙
כֵּ֔ן
וַ/יִּקְח֗וּ
שְׁתֵּ֤י
פָרוֹת֙
עָל֔וֹת
וַ/יַּאַסְר֖וּ/ם
בָּ/עֲגָלָ֑ה
וְ/אֶת
בְּנֵי/הֶ֖ם
כָּל֥וּ
בַ/בָּֽיִת
וַ/יַּעֲשׂ֤וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הָ/אֲנָשִׁים֙
ʼîysh
H376
man
Art | N-mp
כֵּ֔ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
וַ/יִּקְח֗וּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
שְׁתֵּ֤י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
פָרוֹת֙
pârâh
H6510
heifer
N-fp
עָל֔וֹת
ʻûwl
H5763
to nurse
V-Qal
וַ/יַּאַסְר֖וּ/ם
ʼâçar
H631
to bind
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
בָּ/עֲגָלָ֑ה
ʻăgâlâh
H5699
cart
Prep | N-fs
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
בְּנֵי/הֶ֖ם
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
כָּל֥וּ
kâlâʼ
H3607
to restrain
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בַ/בָּֽיִת
bayith
H1004
place
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 6:10
וַ/יַּעֲשׂ֤וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
הָ/אֲנָשִׁים֙
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
כֵּ֔ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
וַ/יִּקְח֗וּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
שְׁתֵּ֤י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
פָרוֹת֙
pârâh
H6510
"heifer"
N-fp
A heifer is a young female cow, and this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe such an animal. In Exodus 29:1, a heifer is used as a sacrifice, and in Numbers 19:2, it is used for purification. It is an important animal in biblical times.
Definition: cow, heifer
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cow, heifer, kine. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 19:6; Isaiah 11:7.
עָל֔וֹת
ʻûwl
H5763
"to nurse"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to nurse or give milk, describing a mother caring for her young. It is used to portray a nurturing relationship, like a mother with her child.
Definition: 1) to give suck, suckle, nurse 1a) (Qal) giving suck (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: milch, (ewe great) with young. See also: Genesis 33:13; 1 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 78:71.
וַ/יַּאַסְר֖וּ/ם
ʼâçar
H631
"to bind"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
This word means to bind or tie something, like when God made a covenant with the Israelites. It can also mean to prepare for battle or to be imprisoned. In different contexts, it involves joining or fastening things together, whether physically or metaphorically.
Definition: 1) to tie, bind, imprison 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tie, bind 1a2) to tie, harness 1a3) to bind (with cords) 1a4) to gird (rare and late) 1a5) to begin the battle, make the attack 1a6) of obligation of oath (figurative) 1b) (Niphal) to be imprisoned, bound 1c) (Pual) to be taken prisoner
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison(-er), put in bonds, set in array, tie. See also: Genesis 39:20; 1 Samuel 6:7; Psalms 105:22.
בָּ/עֲגָלָ֑ה
ʻăgâlâh
H5699
"cart"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a wheeled vehicle, such as a cart or wagon. It appears in the Bible, describing transportation and trade. The word is often translated as 'cart', 'chariot', or 'wagon'.
Definition: cart, wagon
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: cart, chariot, wagon See also: Genesis 45:19; 1 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 46:10.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֵי/הֶ֖ם
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
כָּל֥וּ
kâlâʼ
H3607
"to restrain"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to hold something back or restrict it, often used in the Bible to describe God's control over human actions. It appears in books like Leviticus and Psalms, where it talks about restraining evil or withholding punishment. English Bibles translate it as 'restrain' or 'withhold'.
Definition: 1) to restrict, restrain, withhold, shut up, keep back, refrain, forbid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut up 1a2) to restrain 1a3) to withhold 1b) (Niphal) to be restrained 1c) (Piel) to finish
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: finish, forbid, keep (back), refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed, withhold. See also: Genesis 8:2; Psalms 88:9; Psalms 40:10.
בַ/בָּֽיִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 6:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Ark Returned to Israel
8Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,
9but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.”
10So the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves.
11Then they put the ark of the LORD on the cart, along with the chest containing the gold rats and the images of the tumors. 12And the cows headed straight up the road toward Beth-shemesh, staying on that one highway and lowing as they went, never straying to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed behind them to the border of Beth-shemesh.1 Samuel 6:10 Summary
In 1 Samuel 6:10, the men followed the instructions given to them, taking two milk cows and hitching them to the cart with the ark of the Lord on it. By penning up the calves, they created a situation where the cows would naturally want to return to their young, but instead, the cows pulled the cart toward Beth-shemesh, showing that God was guiding them. This event teaches us about trusting in God's guidance, even when the circumstances seem uncertain, and being patient and persistent like the cows, as encouraged in Psalm 37:7. It also reminds us to seek God's will and trust in His sovereignty, as seen in Romans 11:33-36, where it is written that God's ways are higher than our ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the men take two milk cows and hitch them to the cart in 1 Samuel 6:10?
The men took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart as a test to see if the Lord was truly behind the disasters that had been happening to the Philistines, as instructed in 1 Samuel 6:9. This was a way to determine if the Lord was guiding the cart or if it was just chance.
What was the significance of penning up the calves of the milk cows?
By penning up the calves, the men were creating a situation where the cows would naturally want to return to their young, making it a remarkable sign if they instead pulled the cart toward Beth-shemesh, as seen in 1 Samuel 6:12. This added to the miraculous nature of the event.
How does this event relate to the concept of testing God?
The Philistines' actions in 1 Samuel 6:10 can be seen as a form of testing God, similar to what is warned against in Deuteronomy 6:16, where it is written not to test the Lord your God. However, in this context, the Philistines were seeking a sign to understand the cause of their troubles, rather than willfully challenging God.
What does this verse reveal about the nature of God's guidance?
This verse shows that God's guidance can be subtle yet clear, as seen in the cows' persistent movement toward Beth-shemesh in 1 Samuel 6:12, and that He can use various means to communicate His will, as also seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where it is written to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in my life where I am seeking a clear sign or guidance from God, and how can I trust in His sovereignty like the Philistines were forced to in 1 Samuel 6:10?
- How do I respond when circumstances in my life seem to be 'lowing' or crying out for a resolution, and what can I learn from the patience and persistence of the cows in this verse?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of trusting in God's guidance, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, to my daily decisions and challenges?
- What are some 'calves' in my life that might be distracting me from following God's leading, and how can I 'pen them up' or set them aside to focus on His will?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 6:10
And the men did so,.... Made a new cart, not the lords of the Philistines, but workmen by their orders: and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart; with the gear that horses, asses, or oxen,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 6:10
And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 6:10
1 Samuel 6:10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:Ver. 10. And the men did so.] According to the advice of the priests and diviners, who were of no small authority amongst them: as likewise were the Brachmanni among the Indians, the Druids among the Gauls, and the Bards here in Albion: of such esteem they are said to have been among the greatest commanders, that if two armies were even at push of pike, and a bard or priest had stepped in between them, they would have held their hands, hearkened to his advice, and not have offered to strike till he were out of danger.