Biblical Context and Significance:

The number 50,000 appears in the Bible in the context of a significant event involving the Ark of the Covenant. This number is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 1 Samuel, which recounts the history of Israel during the time of the judges and the early monarchy.

1 Samuel 6:19 :
"But God struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter."

In some translations and interpretations, the number of men struck down is given as 50,070, which includes the 50,000. However, there is some textual variation and debate among scholars regarding the exact number due to differences in ancient manuscripts. The Berean Standard Bible, like many modern translations, opts for the number seventy, focusing on the severity of the act rather than the specific number.

Historical and Theological Implications:

The event at Beth-shemesh is significant for several reasons. It underscores the holiness and sanctity of the Ark of the Covenant, which was the physical manifestation of God's presence among the Israelites. The Ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments and was central to Israelite worship and identity.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of irreverence towards sacred objects and the divine commandments. The people of Beth-shemesh were punished for looking into the Ark, an act that was forbidden and considered a violation of the divine law. This narrative highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in the relationship between God and His people.

Cultural and Literary Aspects:

The number 50,000, whether taken literally or symbolically, represents a large-scale judgment and serves to emphasize the gravity of the offense. In the ancient Near Eastern context, numbers often carried symbolic weight, and large numbers were used to convey the magnitude of an event or its impact on the community.

The account of the Ark at Beth-shemesh is part of a larger narrative that includes the capture of the Ark by the Philistines, its return to Israel, and the subsequent establishment of the monarchy under Saul and David. This period is marked by significant transitions and challenges for the Israelites as they navigate their identity and covenant relationship with God.

Interpretative Challenges:

The textual variations regarding the number of those struck down at Beth-shemesh present challenges for interpreters and translators. Some ancient manuscripts, such as the Masoretic Text, include the number 50,070, while others, like the Septuagint, differ. These discrepancies invite scholarly discussion about the transmission and preservation of biblical texts.

The event also raises theological questions about divine justice and mercy, the nature of sacred space, and the human response to divine holiness. These themes continue to be explored in biblical scholarship and theological reflection.

Conclusion:

The mention of 50,000 in the context of the Ark of the Covenant at Beth-shemesh serves as a powerful narrative about the holiness of God and the serious consequences of disobedience. It invites readers to consider the nature of reverence, the role of sacred objects, and the dynamics of divine-human interaction in the biblical tradition.50000 (1 Occurrence)

1 Chronicles 12:33
Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand, and who could order the battle array, and were not of double heart.
(See NAS)

50000 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 50000 (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 12:33 Of Zebulun,
such as were able to go out in the army, who could ...
/num/50000.htm - 6k

Number (2370 Occurrences)
... One of them, number 109 of Kennicott, reads (Numbers 1:23) 1,050 for 50,000; 50
for 50,000 (Numbers 2:6), and 100 for 100,000 (Numbers 2:16). ...
/n/number.htm - 40k

46500 (2 Occurrences)

/num/46500.htm - 6k

50070 (1 Occurrence)

/num/50070.htm - 6k

Value (138 Occurrences)
... them in the presence of all. The total value was reckoned and found to be
50,000 silver coins. (WEY BBE RSV NIV). Acts 20:24 But I ...
/v/value.htm - 37k

Total (16 Occurrences)
... in the presence of all. The total value was reckoned and found to be 50,000
silver coins. (WEY NIV). Exodus 10:22 Moses stretched ...
/t/total.htm - 11k

Reckoned (98 Occurrences)
... in the presence of all. The total value was reckoned and found to be 50,000
silver coins. (WEY DBY YLT). Romans 2:26 If therefore ...
/r/reckoned.htm - 36k

Ephesus (20 Occurrences)
... for the Temple of Diana (qv), who there had her chief shrine; and for its theatre,
which was the largest in the world, capable of containing 50,000 spectators. ...
/e/ephesus.htm - 24k

Practised (13 Occurrences)
... in the presence of all. The total value was reckoned and found to be 50,000
silver coins. (WEY ASV DBY YLT). Romans 10:5 For Moses ...
/p/practised.htm - 10k

Burnt (392 Occurrences)
... them in the presence of all. The total value was reckoned and found to be
50,000 silver coins. (WEY DBY). 1 Corinthians 3:15 If any ...
/b/burnt.htm - 42k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus