God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 6:6
6But when they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out for the ark of God and grabbed it.
2 Samuel 6:6 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.
- English Standard Version (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.
- New King James Version (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.
Context of 2 Samuel 6:6
4They brought it from Abinadab’s home, with Ahio walking ahead of the ark. 5David and the entire nation of Israel were celebrating in the Lord’s presence with all kinds of instruments made from cypress wood and with lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. But when they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out for the ark of God and grabbed it. 7The Lord became angry with Uzzah, so God killed him there for his lack of respect. He died beside the ark of God. 8David was angry because the Lord had struck Uzzah so violently. (That place is still called Perez Uzzah [The Striking of Uzzah] today.)
Read all of 2 Samuel 62 Samuel 6:6 word by word
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ עַד־גֹּ֣רֶן נָכ֑וֹן וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח עֻזָּ֜א אֶל־אֲר֤וֹן הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ וַיֹּ֣אחֶז בּ֔וֹ כִּ֥י שָׁמְט֖וּ הַבָּקָֽר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And when they cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- to Nachon’sנָכוֹןnâkôn · NaconH5225
- threshingfloorגֹּ֫רֶןgôren · threshing floorH1637
- Uzzahעֻזָּא‛ûzzâ' ‛ûzzâh · UzzahH5798
- put forthשָׁלַחshâlach · to send: departH7971
- to the arkאֲרוֹן'ârôn 'ârôn · arkH727
- of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- and took holdאָחַז'âchaz · to graspH270
- of it; for the oxenבָּקָרbâqâr · cattleH1241
- shookשָׁמַטshâmaţ · to releaseH8058
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 6:6
- 1 Chronicles 13:9But when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out to grab the ark.
- Numbers 4:15“When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy things and the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites will come to carry all the holy articles. They must never touch the holy things, or they will die. The Kohathites will carry all the things from the tent of meeting.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 6:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Uzzah put forth his hand - In Numbers 4:15-20, the Levites are forbidden to touch the ark on pain of death, this penalty was inflicted upon Uzzah, and he was the first that suffered for a breach of this law.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6Shook it - The use of the Heb. word here is unusual. Some take the word as in 2 Kings 9:33, and render the passage: “The oxen were throwing, or had thrown it down,” very likely by turning aside to eat what grain there might be on the threshing-floor.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-11Verses 6-11 Uzzah was struck dead for touching the ark. God saw presumption and irreverence in Uzzah's heart. Familiarity, even with that which is most awful, is apt to breed contempt. If it were so great a crime for one to lay hold on the ark of the covenant who had no right to do so, what is it for those to lay claim to the privileges of the covenant that come not up to the terms of it? Obed-edom opened his doors without fear, knowing the ark was a…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-7took hold of the ark: Uzzah likely acted with good intentions and responded quickly. However, by touching the ark, he disobeyed God’s command (see Exodus 19:12–13; Numbers 4:15). As a result, he received the same punishment as the people of Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:19). Later, David had the Levites carry the ark into Jerusalem, following God’s instructions (see 1 Chronicles 15:2, 13–15).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-86-8. they came to Nachon's threshing-floor--or Chidon's (1Ch 13:9). The Chaldee version renders the words, "came to the place prepared for the reception of the ark," that is, near the city of David (2Sa 6:13). the oxen shook it--or, "stumbled" (1Ch 13:9). Fearing that the ark was in danger of being overturned, Uzzah, under the impulse of momentary feeling, laid hold of it to keep it steady. Whether it fell and crushed him, or some sudden disease attacked…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 6:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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