Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh. New Living Translation And sure enough, without veering off in other directions, the cows went straight along the road toward Beth-shemesh, lowing as they went. The Philistine rulers followed them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. English Standard Version And the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went. They turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. Berean Standard Bible And 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. King James Bible And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh. New King James Version Then the cows headed straight for the road to Beth Shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right hand or the left. And the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. New American Standard Bible Now the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh; they went on the same road, bellowing as they went, and did not turn off to the right or to the left. And the governors of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth-shemesh. NASB 1995 And the cows took the straight way in the direction of Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth-shemesh. NASB 1977 And the cows took the straight way in the direction of Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth-shemesh. Legacy Standard Bible And the cows took the straight way in the direction of Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth-shemesh. Amplified Bible And the cows went straight toward Beth-shemesh along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn away to the right or the left. And the Philistine lords (governors) followed them to the border of Beth-shemesh. Christian Standard Bible The cows went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh. They stayed on that one highway, lowing as they went; they never strayed to the right or to the left. The Philistine rulers were walking behind them to the territory of Beth-shemesh. Holman Christian Standard Bible The cows went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh. They stayed on that one highway, lowing as they went; they never strayed to the right or to the left. The Philistine rulers were walking behind them to the territory of Beth-shemesh. American Standard Version And the kine took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-shemesh. Contemporary English Version The cows went straight up the road toward Beth-Shemesh, mooing as they went. The Philistine rulers followed them until they got close to Beth-Shemesh. English Revised Version And the kine took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-shemesh. GOD'S WORD® Translation The cows went straight up the road to Beth Shemesh. Continually mooing, they stayed on the road and didn't turn right or left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth Shemesh. Good News Translation The cows started off on the road to Beth Shemesh and headed straight toward it, without turning off the road. They were mooing as they went. The five Philistine kings followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh. International Standard Version The cows took a straight path along the road to Beth-shemesh. They stayed on the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn to the right or the left. The Philistine lords followed them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. Majority Standard Bible And 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. NET Bible Then the cows went directly on the road to Beth Shemesh. They went along, mooing as they went; they turned neither to the right nor to the left. The leaders of the Philistines were walking along behind them all the way to the border of Beth Shemesh. New Heart English Bible The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh; they went along the highway, mooing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines followed them to the territory of Beth Shemesh. Webster's Bible Translation And the cows took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth-shemesh. World English Bible The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh. They went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the cows go straight in the way, on the way to Beth-Shemesh, they have gone in one highway, going and lowing, and have not turned aside right or left; and the princes of the Philistines are going after them to the border of Beth-Shemesh. Young's Literal Translation And the kine go straight in the way, on the way to Beth-Shemesh, in one highway they have gone, going and lowing, and have not turned aside right or left; and the princes of the Philistines are going after them unto the border of Beth-Shemesh. Smith's Literal Translation And the heifers will look about in the way, upon the way of the House of the Sun, in one highway they went going, and they lowed, and they turned not to the right and to the left; and the princes of Philisteim went after them, even to the bound of the House of the Sun. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the kine took the straight way that leadeth to Bethsames, and they went along the way, lowing as they went: and turned not aside neither to the right hand nor to the left: and the lords of the Philistines followed them as far as the borders of Bethsames. Catholic Public Domain Version But the cows went directly along the way that leads to Beth-shemesh. And they advanced only in one direction, lowing as they went. And they did not turn aside, neither to the right, nor to the left. Moreover, the princes of the Philistines followed them, as far as the borders of Beth-shemesh. New American Bible The cows went straight for the route to Beth-shemesh and continued along this road, mooing as they went, turning neither right nor left. The Philistine leaders followed them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. New Revised Standard Version The cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went; they turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they sent out the cows by the way which is by the border of Beth-shemesh, and they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand nor to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the cows were sent in the road that was by the border of Bayth Shemesh walking in the one path, and they went and they were mooing and they did not turn to the right or to the left, and the Tyrants of the Philistines were going after them unto the border of Bayth Shemesh OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the kine took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-shemesh. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the cows went straight on the way to the way of Baethsamys, they went along one track; and laboured, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after it as far as the coasts of Baethsamys. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Ark Returned to Israel…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. 13Now 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.… Cross References Exodus 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. Joshua 3:14-17 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ... 2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Isaiah 63:13 who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? Psalm 78:52-53 He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness. / He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies. Psalm 77:19-20 Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found. / You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 114:3-5 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; / the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. / Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, Jeremiah 31:9 They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” Isaiah 11:15-16 The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. / There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt. Isaiah 43:16-17 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, / who brings out the chariots and horses, the armies and warriors together, to lie down, never to rise again; to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Matthew 8:27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:39-41 Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Luke 8:24-25 The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!” John 6:19-21 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. / But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” / Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading. Acts 8:26-40 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” / So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, / and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. ... Treasury of Scripture And the cows took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Bethshemesh. Jump to Previous Beth Bethshemesh Beth-Shemesh Border Cows Direction Hand Highway Lowing Philistines Right Shemesh Straight Turn Turned WayJump to Next Beth Bethshemesh Beth-Shemesh Border Cows Direction Hand Highway Lowing Philistines Right Shemesh Straight Turn Turned Way1 Samuel 6 1. After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark10. They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh 19. The people are smitten for looking into the ark 21. They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch it And the cows headed straight up the road toward Beth-shemesh The cows' direct path to Beth-shemesh is significant, as it demonstrates divine intervention. Normally, cows would not leave their calves or follow a specific path without guidance. Beth-shemesh, a Levitical city in the territory of Judah, was an appropriate destination for the Ark of the Covenant, as it was a city of priests who could properly handle the Ark. This event underscores God's sovereignty and control over creation, as seen in other biblical instances where animals act under divine direction (e.g., Balaam's donkey in Numbers 22:21-33). 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. CowsTwo milk cows were used by the Philistines to carry the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. These cows were significant because they were untrained and had never been yoked, yet they followed a direct path. 2. Beth-shemesh A town in Israel where the Ark was returned. It was a Levitical city, meaning it was inhabited by members of the tribe of Levi, who were responsible for religious duties. 3. Philistines The people who captured the Ark of the Covenant and experienced plagues as a result. They decided to return the Ark to Israel to appease the God of Israel. 4. Ark of the Covenant The sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It symbolized God's presence with His people. 5. Lords of the Philistines The rulers of the Philistine cities who observed the return of the Ark to ensure it was accepted by the Israelites. Teaching Points Divine GuidanceThe cows' journey illustrates God's sovereignty and guidance. Despite being untrained, they followed a direct path, showing that God can direct even the natural world to fulfill His purposes. Obedience to God's Will The cows' unwavering path symbolizes the importance of staying true to God's direction without deviation. Believers are called to follow God's path without turning to the right or left. God's Presence and Holiness The return of the Ark signifies the restoration of God's presence among His people. It reminds us of the importance of reverence and holiness in our relationship with God. Trust in God's Plan The Philistines' decision to return the Ark demonstrates a recognition of God's power. We are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when it requires us to relinquish control.(12) Went along the highway, lowing.--But the dumb beasts did what the idol priests and diviners scarcely considered possible, for God's hand drove them. The narrative here throughout is evidently unadorned, very easy and natural, and speaks of primitive customs, telling its story of the Divine interference of the "Glorious Arm" with exquisite simplicity and truth. The dumb beasts went on their strange way with their golden burden, the princes of the Philistines following them, awe-struck, at a distance. Verse 12. - The kine took the straight way. The Hebrew brings out the directness with which the heifers took the route to Beth-shemesh very forcibly. It says, "And the kine went straight in the way upon the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along one highway, lowing as they went," i.e. they went in one direct course, without deviating from it. Nevertheless, their continual lowing showed the great stress that was laid upon their nature in being thus compelled to separate themselves from their calves. And the lords of the Philistines went after them. I.e. behind them, leaving the kine free to go where they chose. The usual position of the driver of an ox cart in the East is in front. Conder ('Tent Work,' 1:274) describes the view up the great corn valley of Sorek to the high and rugged hills above as extremely picturesque, and this it is, he adds, which was spread before the eyes of the five lords of the Philistines as they followed the lowing oxen which bore the ark on the "straight way" from Ekron to Beth-shemesh. The ruins of the latter place, he says, lie on a knoll surrounded by olive trees, near the junction of the valley of Sorek with the great gorge which bounded Judah on the north. THE ARK AT BETH-SHEMESH (vers. 15-20).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And the cowsהַפָּר֜וֹת (hap·pā·rō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 6510: A heifer, cow headed straight וַיִשַּׁ֨רְנָה (wa·yiš·šar·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 3474: To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous up the road בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action toward עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Beth-shemesh, שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ (še·meš) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1053: Beth-shemesh -- 'sun temple', three places in Palestine, also a place in Egypt staying on that one אַחַ֗ת (’a·ḥaṯ) Number - feminine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first highway בִּמְסִלָּ֣ה (bim·sil·lāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4546: A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase and lowing וְגָע֔וֹ (wə·ḡā·‘ōw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 1600: To bellow as they went, הָלְכ֤וּ (hā·lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk never וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no straying סָ֖רוּ (sā·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5493: To turn aside to the right יָמִ֣ין (yā·mîn) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south or to the left. וּשְׂמֹ֑אול (ū·śə·mō·wl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand The rulers וְסַרְנֵ֤י (wə·sar·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5633: An axle, a peer of the Philistines פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ (p̄ə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia followed הֹלְכִ֣ים (hō·lə·ḵîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk behind אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם (’a·ḥă·rê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 310: The hind or following part them to עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the border גְּב֖וּל (gə·ḇūl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed of בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ) Preposition Strong's 0: 0 Beth-shemesh. שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃ (šā·meš) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1053: Beth-shemesh -- 'sun temple', three places in Palestine, also a place in Egypt Links 1 Samuel 6:12 NIV1 Samuel 6:12 NLT 1 Samuel 6:12 ESV 1 Samuel 6:12 NASB 1 Samuel 6:12 KJV 1 Samuel 6:12 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 6:12 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 6:12 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 6:12 French Bible 1 Samuel 6:12 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 6:12 The cows took the straight way (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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