1 samuel 6:7 - “Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;
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What does "1 samuel 6:7" mean?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in 1 Samuel 6 about the Philistines returning the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites. The Philistines had captured the Ark, and after suffering plagues and misfortunes, they decided to send it back. Here's a breakdown of the meaning of 1 Samuel 6:7:
"Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart": The Philistines are instructed to build a new cart. The newness is significant for several reasons. A new cart suggests it was made specifically for this holy purpose and hasn't been used for common tasks. It also avoids any potential defilement or association with the Philistines' previous misfortune.
"and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke": They were to choose two cows that were currently giving milk and had never been yoked. This is important for several reasons:
Milk Cows: The fact that they are milk cows emphasizes their natural instinct to care for their calves. This becomes a crucial element in the test (see the next point).
Never been yoked: Cows that have never been yoked are more likely to act unpredictably. They wouldn't be accustomed to being led or controlled.
"and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;": The cows were to be tied to the cart without their calves. This is the core of the test. Mothers separated from their calves will naturally try to return to them.
The Significance of the Test:
The Philistines were essentially conducting a test to see if the plagues they had suffered were truly caused by the God of Israel. Here's why this test was significant:
1. A Divine Test: The Philistines believed that if the cows, against their natural maternal instinct, pulled the cart with the Ark towards the Israelite territory (Beth-shemesh), it would prove that the plagues were indeed caused by the God of Israel and not by chance.
2. Testing Divine Power vs. Natural Instincts: The scenario sets up a conflict between natural maternal instincts and potential divine influence. If the cows followed their instinct, the Philistines might attribute the plagues to some other cause. But if they defied their instinct and went directly towards the Israelite territory, it would be seen as evidence of divine intervention.
3. Proof of Unseen Guidance: Because the cows had not been trained to pull a cart, and would be powerfully motivated to return to their calves, any movement towards Beth-shemesh would clearly indicate that a force stronger than their natural instincts was guiding them. The unlikelihood of the cows behaving rationally, by choice, and pulling the ark indicates that the Philistines were looking for proof of the Israelite God directing the cows.
In Summary:
The verse describes a specific and unusual method devised by the Philistines to test whether the plagues they experienced were truly the work of the God of Israel. They are setting up a scenario where the natural maternal instincts of the cows would be overridden if the God of Israel was indeed behind the events. If the cows abandoned their calves and pulled the cart with the Ark directly to Israelite territory, it would be seen as definitive proof of divine intervention.
1 samuel 6:7 - “Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;
What does "1 samuel 6:7" mean?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in 1 Samuel 6 about the Philistines returning the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites. The Philistines had captured the Ark, and after suffering plagues and misfortunes, they decided to send it back. Here's a breakdown of the meaning of 1 Samuel 6:7:
"Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart": The Philistines are instructed to build a new cart. The newness is significant for several reasons. A new cart suggests it was made specifically for this holy purpose and hasn't been used for common tasks. It also avoids any potential defilement or association with the Philistines' previous misfortune.
"and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke": They were to choose two cows that were currently giving milk and had never been yoked. This is important for several reasons:
Milk Cows: The fact that they are milk cows emphasizes their natural instinct to care for their calves. This becomes a crucial element in the test (see the next point).
Never been yoked: Cows that have never been yoked are more likely to act unpredictably. They wouldn't be accustomed to being led or controlled.
"and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;": The cows were to be tied to the cart without their calves. This is the core of the test. Mothers separated from their calves will naturally try to return to them.
The Significance of the Test:
The Philistines were essentially conducting a test to see if the plagues they had suffered were truly caused by the God of Israel. Here's why this test was significant:
1. A Divine Test: The Philistines believed that if the cows, against their natural maternal instinct, pulled the cart with the Ark towards the Israelite territory (Beth-shemesh), it would prove that the plagues were indeed caused by the God of Israel and not by chance.
2. Testing Divine Power vs. Natural Instincts: The scenario sets up a conflict between natural maternal instincts and potential divine influence. If the cows followed their instinct, the Philistines might attribute the plagues to some other cause. But if they defied their instinct and went directly towards the Israelite territory, it would be seen as evidence of divine intervention.
3. Proof of Unseen Guidance: Because the cows had not been trained to pull a cart, and would be powerfully motivated to return to their calves, any movement towards Beth-shemesh would clearly indicate that a force stronger than their natural instincts was guiding them. The unlikelihood of the cows behaving rationally, by choice, and pulling the ark indicates that the Philistines were looking for proof of the Israelite God directing the cows.
In Summary:
The verse describes a specific and unusual method devised by the Philistines to test whether the plagues they experienced were truly the work of the God of Israel. They are setting up a scenario where the natural maternal instincts of the cows would be overridden if the God of Israel was indeed behind the events. If the cows abandoned their calves and pulled the cart with the Ark directly to Israelite territory, it would be seen as definitive proof of divine intervention.