1 chronicles 13:6 - David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there God Yahweh’s ark that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.
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What does "1 chronicles 13:6" mean?
This verse from 1 Chronicles 13:6 describes David's attempt to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant and bring it to Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah..." This indicates a large-scale effort, involving David as the king and representatives from all the tribes of Israel. They are going to a specific location:
Baalah: This is the name of a place, and it's clarified to be...
Kiriath Jearim: This is another name for the same town. Using both names likely emphasizes its importance and/or provides clarity for the audience.
which belonged to Judah: This specifies that the town was located within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. This is important because David himself was from the tribe of Judah, establishing a link between him and the Ark's location.
"...to bring up from there God Yahweh's ark..." This is the purpose of their journey. They are going to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It represented God's presence among the Israelites. The use of "Yahweh's ark" specifically identifies it as belonging to the Israelite God.
"...that sits above the cherubim..." This refers to the design of the Ark's lid. Two cherubim (angelic beings) with outstretched wings were positioned on top of the Ark. God was believed to be enthroned above or between these cherubim, signifying His heavenly rule and presence in a very specific, symbolic way.
"...that is called by the Name." This phrase is significant. "The Name" is often a circumlocution for God's personal name (Yahweh). It suggests that the Ark was a place where God's presence and power were uniquely manifested, a place that carried the essence of His identity and could be invoked in His name. It emphasizes the holiness and significance of the Ark as a tangible connection to the divine. Some scholars interpret this to mean the Ark was also called "Ark of the Name," implying a close association between the Ark and God's revealed character.
In summary, the verse means:
David, with the full support and participation of Israel, journeyed to Kiriath Jearim (a town within the tribal lands of Judah) to bring the Ark of the Covenant to a new location, recognizing it as the embodiment of God's presence, symbolized by the cherubim on its lid, and the location where His very essence, His Name, was invoked. It highlights David's desire to connect the nation with God and legitimize his reign by bringing the symbol of God's presence to the nation's capital. It also prepares the reader for the narrative that follows, which details the events surrounding the Ark's relocation and the consequences of not following proper procedures in handling it.
1 chronicles 13:6 - David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there God Yahweh’s ark that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.
What does "1 chronicles 13:6" mean?
This verse from 1 Chronicles 13:6 describes David's attempt to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant and bring it to Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah..." This indicates a large-scale effort, involving David as the king and representatives from all the tribes of Israel. They are going to a specific location:
Baalah: This is the name of a place, and it's clarified to be...
Kiriath Jearim: This is another name for the same town. Using both names likely emphasizes its importance and/or provides clarity for the audience.
which belonged to Judah: This specifies that the town was located within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. This is important because David himself was from the tribe of Judah, establishing a link between him and the Ark's location.
"...to bring up from there God Yahweh's ark..." This is the purpose of their journey. They are going to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It represented God's presence among the Israelites. The use of "Yahweh's ark" specifically identifies it as belonging to the Israelite God.
"...that sits above the cherubim..." This refers to the design of the Ark's lid. Two cherubim (angelic beings) with outstretched wings were positioned on top of the Ark. God was believed to be enthroned above or between these cherubim, signifying His heavenly rule and presence in a very specific, symbolic way.
"...that is called by the Name." This phrase is significant. "The Name" is often a circumlocution for God's personal name (Yahweh). It suggests that the Ark was a place where God's presence and power were uniquely manifested, a place that carried the essence of His identity and could be invoked in His name. It emphasizes the holiness and significance of the Ark as a tangible connection to the divine. Some scholars interpret this to mean the Ark was also called "Ark of the Name," implying a close association between the Ark and God's revealed character.
In summary, the verse means:
David, with the full support and participation of Israel, journeyed to Kiriath Jearim (a town within the tribal lands of Judah) to bring the Ark of the Covenant to a new location, recognizing it as the embodiment of God's presence, symbolized by the cherubim on its lid, and the location where His very essence, His Name, was invoked. It highlights David's desire to connect the nation with God and legitimize his reign by bringing the symbol of God's presence to the nation's capital. It also prepares the reader for the narrative that follows, which details the events surrounding the Ark's relocation and the consequences of not following proper procedures in handling it.