Bible/1 Samuel/6

1 Samuel 6:12

6:11 And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
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.

KJV

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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 aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.

And the kine 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 unto the border of Beth–shemesh.

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.

6:13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

What does 1 Samuel 6:12 mean?

1 Samuel 6:12 is a verse in the book of 1 Samuel, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include פָּרָה (pârâh), יָשַׁר (yâshar), דֶּרֶךְ (derek). It connects to 6 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
the
kineפָּרָהpârâh/paw-raw'/H6510a heifer
took
the
straightיָשַׁרyâshar/yaw-shar'/H3474to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous
wayדֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
to
the
wayדֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
of
Bethshemesh,בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁBêyth Shemesh/bayth sheh'-mesh/H1053Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine
and
went
alongהָלַךְhâlak/haw-lak'/H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
the
highway,מְסִלָּהmᵉçillâh/mes-il-law'/H4546a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
lowingגָּעָהgâʻâh/gaw-aw'/H1600to bellow (as cattle)
as
they
went,הָלַךְhâlak/haw-lak'/H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
and
turned
not
asideסוּרçûwr/soor/H5493to turn off (literal or figurative)
to
the
right
handיָמִיןyâmîyn/yaw-meen'/H3225the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
or
to
the
left;שְׂמֹאולsᵉmôʼwl/sem-ole'/H8040properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
and
the
lordsסֶרֶןçeren/seh'-ren/H5633an axle; figuratively, a peer
of
the
PhilistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּיPᵉlishtîy/pel-ish-tee'/H6430a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
wentהָלַךְhâlak/haw-lak'/H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
afterאַחַרʼachar/akh-ar'/H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
them
unto
the
borderגְּבוּלgᵉbûwl/gheb-ool'/H1366properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
of
Bethshemesh.בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁBêyth Shemesh/bayth sheh'-mesh/H1053Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine

Commentary on 1 Samuel 6:12

HENRY_FULL · 1 Samuel 6:12
170" We found it very easy, in the former chapter, to applaud the decency of Ruth's behaviour, and to show what good use we may make of the account given us of it; but in this chapter we shall have much ado to vindicate it from the imputation of indecency, and to save it from having an ill use made of it; but the goodness of those times was such as saved what is recorded here from being ill done, and yet the badness of these times is such as that it will not justify any now in doing the like. Here is, I. The directions Naomi gave to her daughter-in-law how to claim Boaz for her husband, ver. 1-5 . II. Ruth's punctual observance of those directions, ver. 6, 7 . III. The kind and honourable treatment Boaz gave her, ver. 8-15 . IV. Her return to her mother-in-law, ver. 16-18 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 25:5

If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. her husband's: or, her next kinsman

Deuteronomy 25:6

And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

1 Samuel 2:8

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

1 Samuel 2:20

And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. loan: or, petition which she asked, etc

1 Samuel 2:23

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. of your: or, evil words of you

Hebrews 2:11

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Topics

Ark of the CovenantCartCowKirjath-JearimMiraclesPhilistinesProvidence of God, the

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 1 Samuel 6:12.

Genesis 19:2

And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

Exodus 13:21

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Genesis 24:40

And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:

Genesis 24:42

And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

Genesis 28:20

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Genesis 32:1

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

Genesis 35:3

And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

Genesis 38:14

And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. an open: Heb. the door of eyes, or, of Enajim

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 Samuel 6:12 say?

1 Samuel 6:12 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is 1 Samuel 6:12 in the Old or New Testament?

1 Samuel 6:12 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Samuel.

Reflect

As you read 1 Samuel 6:12, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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