And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:

1 SAMUEL 6:10KJV
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1 Samuel 6:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 6:10 mean?

1 Samuel 6:10 describes how the men followed instructions by taking two milk cows, tying them to a cart, and keeping their calves at home. This action set up a test to see if the cows would leave their young and carry the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel, showing whether the events were truly directed by God.

In this passage, the Philistines are trying to determine if the plagues they experienced were caused by the God of Israel. The men chosen for this task are not Israelites but Philistines, acting on the advice of their priests and diviners. By separating the cows from their calves and using animals that had never pulled a cart before, the Philistines create a situation that would only succeed if God intervened, making the outcome more convincing.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 6:10

  • מֵנִיקָה (me-ni-qah, “milch”): This word refers specifically to cows that are nursing calves. The choice of nursing cows makes the test more difficult, since such animals would naturally want to stay with their young rather than leave them.
  • בָּקָר (baqar, “kine”): This is a general term for cattle, but here it is clarified as nursing cows, emphasizing the challenge.
  • עֲגָלָה (‘agalah, “cart”): This word refers to a wagon or cart, highlighting that the Ark was being transported in a way that was not typical for Israelite worship, but chosen for this test.
  • בַּיִת (bayit, “home”): This word simply means “house” or “home,” but here it underscores that the calves were kept away from their mothers, increasing the difficulty of the test.

Why 1 Samuel 6:10 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Philistines set up a situation where only divine intervention could explain the cows’ behavior, strengthening the case that the God of Israel was behind the plagues.
  • The detail about the cows being nursing mothers and their calves being shut at home helps the reader see how unlikely it would be for the cows to leave on their own, making the outcome more significant.
  • This verse connects to the broader story by showing the Philistines’ careful approach to returning the Ark and their desire for clear evidence about the source of their troubles.

Where else these words appear

“milch” Hebrew H5763 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 33:13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
  • 1 Samuel 6:7 Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:
  • Psalms 78:71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

“up” Hebrew H3607 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 8:2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
  • Psalms 40:9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
  • Isaiah 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

“cart” Hebrew H5699 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 45:19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
  • Numbers 7:7 Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service:
  • 2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

“kine” Hebrew H6510 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Genesis 41:26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
  • 1 Samuel 6:7 Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: