Psalms 132:6 - Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar:

Generated Verse: Psalms 132:6

What does "Psalms 132:6" mean?


Psalm 132 is a song celebrating David's dedication to finding a permanent resting place for the Ark of the Covenant. The verse you quoted, Psalm 132:6, is a crucial part of that narrative. Let's break down its meaning:

"Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah..."
"Behold": This is an attention-grabbing word, urging the listener to pay close attention.
"We heard of it": "It" refers to the Ark of the Covenant. "We" refers to the people of Israel. The verse suggests that there was knowledge or a tradition that the Ark was somehow associated with or had originated from Ephrathah.
"Ephrathah": This is generally understood to be an older name for Bethlehem, David's hometown. So, the verse means that the people remembered a tradition that linked the Ark to Bethlehem.
"We found it in the field of Jaar..."
"We found it": Again, referring to the Ark.
"Field(s) of Jaar": This phrase is more complex and open to some debate. "Jaar" might refer to:
Kiriath-Jearim: This is the most common and widely accepted interpretation. Kiriath-Jearim was a town where the Ark resided for a considerable period (20 years, according to 1 Samuel 7:1-2) after being returned by the Philistines. "Field(s) of Jaar" could refer to the land surrounding this town.
Jaar as a Person: Some suggest "Jaar" might be a person's name, and the phrase would then mean the field belonging to Jaar. However, there's little support for this view.

Overall Meaning and Significance:

The verse encapsulates the journey to locate and retrieve the Ark. It implies:

1. Memory and Tradition: The verse acknowledges a historical connection between the Ark and David's origins (Ephrathah/Bethlehem). It highlights that the search for the Ark was not a new initiative but based on existing knowledge or tradition passed down through generations.

2. Discovery and Action: It emphasizes the active role the people played in finding the Ark. It wasn't simply a divine revelation but involved a search that led them to the "field of Jaar" (Kiriath-Jearim).

3. Fulfillment of David's Vow: This verse sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which narrates David's oath to find a suitable resting place for the Ark (see Psalm 132:3-5). Verse 6 is the beginning of that fulfillment. It provides a historical context for David's desire and action.

In Summary:

Psalm 132:6 is a crucial verse that sets the context for David's quest to establish a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant. It speaks of a shared memory linking the Ark to Bethlehem (Ephrathah) and recounts its discovery in the region of Kiriath-Jearim (the fields of Jaar), ultimately fulfilling a long-held desire to properly honor and house the sacred Ark.

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