2 Samuel 6 6

2 Samuel 6:6 kjv

And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

2 Samuel 6:6 nkjv

And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.

2 Samuel 6:6 niv

When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.

2 Samuel 6:6 esv

And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.

2 Samuel 6:6 nlt

But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 6 Meaning

The verse describes the critical moment during the transport of the Ark of God to Jerusalem. As the procession reached a specific location, the threshing floor of Nachon, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, causing the Ark to become unstable. In response, Uzzah, one of the two men guiding the cart, instinctively reached out and took hold of the Ark to prevent it from falling. This action, while seemingly well-intentioned, was a direct violation of God's express command regarding the handling of the sacred Ark, leading to Uzzah's immediate divine judgment and death, highlighting the absolute holiness of God and the necessity of obeying His specific instructions for worship.

2 Samuel 6 6 Context

This verse is situated in 2 Samuel chapter 6, which details King David's initial attempt to bring the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim (where it had been for twenty years after its capture by the Philistines and subsequent return, as recorded in 1 Sam 7:1-2) to Jerusalem. David, eager to establish Jerusalem as both a political and religious capital, gathered thirty thousand chosen men of Israel for this significant undertaking. The procession involved putting the Ark on a new cart, similar to the method the Philistines used when returning the Ark (1 Sam 6:7). Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab (in whose house the Ark had resided), drove the cart. This joyful but unauthorized method of transporting the Ark, departing from the Levitical instruction to carry it by poles (Num 4), set the stage for the tragic event at Nachon's threshing floor. The incident immediately precedes David's fear and subsequent delay in bringing the Ark into the City of David, leading to its stay at Obed-Edom's house.

2 Samuel 6 6 Word analysis

• When they came to the threshing floor of Nachon: The location "threshing floor" (גֹּרֶן, goren) is typically a place for separating grain, a site of judgment or decision. The name Nachon (נָכֹון, Nakon) means "firm," "prepared," or "established." This "established threshing floor" highlights the fated nature of the event, where an action against God's established law would meet a firm consequence. In 1 Chr 13:9, it's called the threshing floor of "Chidon."

• Uzzah: The name Uzzah (עֻזָּה, Uzzah) means "my strength" or "strength." It's tragically ironic, as his act, though perhaps intending strength to stabilize the Ark, brought about divine wrath and weakness. His lineage as a son of Abinadab means he grew up with the Ark but did not receive proper training or understanding of the divine law regarding its sanctity.

• reached out and took hold of: The Hebrew is wayyishlaḥ yad ʿUzzah el-ʾaron hāʾĕlōhîm wayyoʾaḥez bô.

  • wayyishlaḥ yad (וַיִּשְׁלַח יָד): "and he stretched out a hand." This verb shalaḥ indicates an intentional act of extending or sending forth, implying a direct and deliberate engagement.
  • wayyoʾaḥez bô (וַיֹּאחֶז בּוֹ): "and he took hold of it/gripped it." The verb ʾaḥaz emphasizes a firm grasp or seizure. This describes the exact violation of God's command not to touch the Ark (Num 4:15).

• the ark of God: (אֲרֹון הָאֱלֹהִים, ʾaron hāʾĕlōhîm). This title stresses the Ark's unique identity as the sacred chest representing the presence, throne, and covenant of the Almighty God of Israel. Its holiness was paramount, demanding utmost reverence and adherence to God's precise stipulations for its handling, reflecting God's separation from common things.

• because the oxen stumbled: The Hebrew verb shamṭah (שָׁמְטָה) means "dropped," "slipped," "released," or "shook off." It suggests the oxen made an uncharacteristic movement, causing the cart to jolt, potentially threatening the Ark's stability. While this was the catalyst for Uzzah's reaction, it does not justify his disobedience. God's holiness transcends circumstances; obedience is paramount.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "When they came to the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah reached out...": This segment marks a specific juncture in time and place. The progression of the Ark and Uzzah's movement converges, leading to a pivotal, irreversible action. The combination of a divine encounter and human intervention set the scene for the breach.
  • "...and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.": This phrase combines the unlawful action with its immediate impetus. Uzzah's perceived necessity to intervene directly challenged the unnegotiable command of God concerning His holy presence, showing a trust in human capability over divine instruction, even under perceived duress.

2 Samuel 6 6 Bonus section

The discrepancy in location name between 2 Samuel 6:6 (threshing floor of Nachon) and 1 Chronicles 13:9 (threshing floor of Chidon) suggests either an alternate name for the same place, a scribal variation, or that it was known by both names. Regardless, the emphasis remains on the incident's solemn nature and God's holiness. This event served as a crucial lesson for David, transforming his understanding of proper worship. Initially, he celebrated exuberantly but improperly; after Uzzah's death, he feared God (2 Sam 6:9-10). This fear led him to correctly seek God's ordained method of transportation through the Levites bearing the Ark on poles (1 Chr 15:2, 13-15), which was successful. This narrative thus underscores a vital theological principle: God desires obedience to His revealed commands more than humanly conceived acts of worship, however well-intentioned. It's a reminder that approaching God on His terms, not our own, is fundamental for life and blessing.

2 Samuel 6 6 Commentary

The tragic incident of Uzzah at the threshing floor of Nachon is a profound demonstration of God's uncompromised holiness and the absolute necessity of approaching Him according to His revealed will. While David and the people rejoiced and seemed to have good intentions in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, their method was in direct disobedience to the Levitical law (Num 4:15; Ex 25:14). Uzzah's seemingly innocent act of steadying the Ark, perhaps born out of reverence and a desire to protect it, was a trespass against the explicit command that only the Kohathite Levites, bearing the Ark by its poles, could approach it, and they must never touch it lest they die. This highlights that zeal without knowledge (Rom 10:2) and adherence to human logic or popular practice (like the Philistines' cart method) are unacceptable in the presence of a holy God who demands obedience, not just good intentions. The immediate judgment served as a stark reminder that God's laws are not arbitrary but essential for reverent interaction with Him and underscored the weighty sacredness of the Ark, which represented His glorious presence among His people.