And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

1 SAMUEL 6:13KJV
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1 Samuel 6:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 6:13 mean?

1 Samuel 6:13 describes the people of Bethshemesh working in their fields, harvesting wheat in the valley, when they suddenly see the ark of the covenant returning and are filled with joy at the sight. The verse highlights their immediate, joyful reaction to the return of the ark after it had been taken away.

The setting is the town of Bethshemesh, where local people are busy gathering wheat during harvest season. The ark of the covenant, which had been captured by the Philistines, is being returned by them on a cart. The people of Bethshemesh notice the ark coming and are overjoyed, recognizing its deep significance for Israel and their community.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 6:13

  • בֵּית־שֶׁמֶשׁ (Bethshemesh, transliteration: Beit-Shemesh): This name means "house of the sun," and it was a Levitical city, which adds significance to why the ark would arrive here.
  • קָצַר (reaping, transliteration: qatsar): This word means to cut or harvest crops. The verse places the scene in a real, everyday moment of agricultural life, grounding the event in ordinary activity.
  • שָׂמַח (rejoiced, transliteration: samach): This word means to be glad or to rejoice. The people's reaction is not just happiness but a deep, communal joy at the return of something sacred and lost.

Why 1 Samuel 6:13 matters

  • The verse shows the ark's return as a moment of unexpected joy during daily life, emphasizing how sacred events can break into ordinary moments.
  • The reaction of the people of Bethshemesh highlights the ark’s importance to Israel, not just as a religious object but as a symbol of God’s presence and favor.
  • This verse sets up the following events, where the people’s response to the ark leads to further developments in the story, showing both the blessings and responsibilities that come with God’s presence.

Where else these words appear

“Bethshemesh” Hebrew H1053 · used in 19 verses

  • Joshua 15:10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
  • 1 Samuel 6:12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

“wheat” Hebrew H2406 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
  • 1 Samuel 12:17 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
  • Psalms 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

“reaping” Hebrew H7114 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
  • Ruth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
  • Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

“harvest” Hebrew H7105 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
  • 1 Samuel 8:12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
  • Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.