1 Samuel 6:16
New International Version
The five rulers of the Philistines saw all this and then returned that same day to Ekron.

New Living Translation
The five Philistine rulers watched all this and then returned to Ekron that same day.

English Standard Version
And when the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned that day to Ekron.

Berean Standard Bible
And when the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they returned to Ekron that same day.

King James Bible
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

New King James Version
So when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

New American Standard Bible
When the five governors of the Philistines saw it, they returned to Ekron that day.

NASB 1995
When the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned to Ekron that day.

NASB 1977
And when the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned to Ekron that day.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the five lords of the Philistines saw it and returned to Ekron that day.

Amplified Bible
When the five lords of the Philistines saw what happened, they returned to Ekron that day.

Christian Standard Bible
When the five Philistine rulers observed this, they returned to Ekron that same day.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the five Philistine rulers observed this, they returned to Ekron that same day.

American Standard Version
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

Contemporary English Version
When the five rulers of the Philistines saw what had happened, they went back to Ekron that same day.

English Revised Version
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they went back to Ekron that same day.

Good News Translation
The five Philistine kings watched them do this and then went back to Ekron that same day.

International Standard Version
When the five Philistine lords saw this, they returned to Ekron that very day.

Majority Standard Bible
And when the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they returned to Ekron that same day.

NET Bible
The five leaders of the Philistines watched what was happening and then returned to Ekron on the same day.

New Heart English Bible
When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

World English Bible
When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the five princes of the Philistines have seen [it], and return [to] Ekron, on that day.

Young's Literal Translation
and the five princes of the Philistines have seen it, and turn back to Ekron, on that day.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the five princes of Philisteim saw, and they will turn back to Ekron in that day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the five princes of the Philistines saw, and they returned to Accaron the same day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the five princes of the Philistines saw, and they returned to Ekron on the same day.

New American Bible
After witnessing this, the five Philistine leaders returned to Ekron the same day.

New Revised Standard Version
When the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned that day to Ekron.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the five Tyrants of the Philistines saw and returned to Akrun on that day
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the five lords of the Philistines saw, and returned to Ascalon in that day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ark Returned to Israel
15And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the chest containing the gold objects, and they placed them on the large rock. That day the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD. 16And when the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they returned to Ekron that same day. 17As a guilt offering to the LORD, the Philistines had sent back one gold tumor for each city: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 5:1-12
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, / carried it into the temple of Dagon, and set it beside his statue. / When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. ...

1 Samuel 7:1-2
Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD. / And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim. And all the house of Israel mournfully sought the LORD.

2 Samuel 6:12-15
Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing. / When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. / And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, ...

1 Chronicles 13:9-14
When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. / Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah. So he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day. ...

1 Chronicles 15:25-28
So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. / And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. / Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. ...

1 Chronicles 16:1-3
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. / When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. / Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

2 Kings 19:35-37
And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Psalm 78:60-66
He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. / He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. / He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. ...

Psalm 132:8
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.

Isaiah 37:36-38
Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Jeremiah 7:12-14
But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers.

Jeremiah 26:6
then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.’”

Acts 5:38-39
So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. / But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

Acts 12:21-23
On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” / Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Romans 1:18-20
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

the five

1 Samuel 6:4,12
Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords…

Joshua 13:3
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

Judges 3:3
Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

they returned

1 Samuel 5:10
Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.

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Ekron Lords Philistines Princes Rulers Turn
1 Samuel 6
1. After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark
10. 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 when the five rulers of the Philistines
The phrase "five rulers of the Philistines" refers to the pentapolis, the five major cities of the Philistines: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. Each city was governed by a ruler or "seren" in Hebrew, which indicates a lord or prince. Historically, the Philistines were a confederation of city-states, and these rulers were significant political and military leaders. Their presence underscores the importance of the event they were witnessing, as it involved the Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of Israel's God, which had brought calamity upon them.

had seen this
The word "seen" in this context is more than just a physical observation; it implies understanding and acknowledgment. The Philistine rulers witnessed the return of the Ark to Israelite territory, which was accompanied by miraculous signs, such as the cows heading straight to Beth-shemesh without guidance. This sight was a powerful testament to the sovereignty of the God of Israel, compelling even these pagan leaders to recognize His power.

they returned to Ekron
Ekron was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, and its mention here is significant. The return to Ekron symbolizes a retreat and a relinquishment of the Ark, acknowledging that their attempts to control or benefit from it had failed. Historically, Ekron was a center of Philistine power, and their return there marks a moment of defeat and reflection for the Philistine rulers.

that same day
The immediacy of "that same day" highlights the urgency and decisiveness of the Philistine rulers' actions. It suggests that the events they witnessed left a profound impact, prompting them to act without delay. This phrase underscores the swift acknowledgment of God's power and the futility of resisting His will. In a broader theological context, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responding promptly to divine revelations and instructions.

(16) They returned to Ekron.--The five Philistine princes, when they had watched the strange scene from a distance, returned; their mission was accomplished, and the question solved as to the source of the plagues which had visited their country.

Verse 16. - They returned to Ekron the same day. The lords of the Philistines would of course take no part in this rejoicing, but, having seen the ark restored, and the people busied in making preparations for the sacrifice, returned immediately home.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And when the five
וַחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה (wa·ḥă·miš·šāh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 2568: Five

rulers
סַרְנֵֽי־ (sar·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5633: An axle, a peer

of the Philistines
פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

had seen [this],
רָא֑וּ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

they returned
וַיָּשֻׁ֥בוּ (way·yā·šu·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to Ekron
עֶקְר֖וֹן (‘eq·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6138: Ekron -- a Philistine city

that same
הַהֽוּא׃ (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day.
בַּיּ֥וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 1 Samuel 6:16 When the five lords of the Philistines (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 6:15
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