1 Samuel 6:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The priests advise returning the ark with a guilt offering so the people may be healed and learn whether the LORD truly struck them.
What Does 1 Samuel 6:3 Mean?
The Philistine priests give their verdict: the ark must not go back empty-handed. They counsel a trespass offering, a payment to make amends for offense, so that healing may come and the source of the plague be confirmed. They speak of the LORD's hand pressing down on them, the same imagery of divine power that runs through these chapters.
Strikingly, even pagan instinct grasps that wrong against the holy God must be answered, that one cannot simply walk away from offended holiness unburdened. The deeper answer to human guilt is not a gift we contrive but the offering God Himself provides; yet here, dimly, idolaters perceive what Israel was always taught: sin demands atonement, and only a reckoning with God brings true healing.
1 Samuel 6:3 in the Original Language
asham (אָשָׁם), 'trespass offering' -- a guilt offering that both makes restitution and atones for offense against what is holy.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 6:3
What does 1 Samuel 6:3 mean?
The priests advise returning the ark with a guilt offering so the people may be healed and learn whether the LORD truly struck them.