And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

1 SAMUEL 6:3KJV
Know the Bible

1 Samuel 6:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 6:3 mean?

1 Samuel 6:3 means that the Philistines, after capturing the ark of the God of Israel, are told not to send it back empty but to include a trespass offering, believing this will bring healing and show them why God’s hand of judgment has been against them. The verse shows their understanding that returning the ark with a gift might resolve the trouble they have experienced.

The people speaking in 1 Samuel 6:3 are the Philistine priests and diviners, advising their leaders on how to return the ark to Israel. The Philistines had suffered plagues since taking the ark, and they wanted to end their suffering. The verse reflects their belief that their misfortune was a result of offending Israel’s God, and that a trespass offering might appease Him and explain the cause of their troubles.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 6:3

  • "Trespass offering" (אָשָׁם, ’asham): This word means a guilt or reparation offering, given to make amends for wrongdoing. The Philistines are told to send this with the ark, showing they saw their suffering as a result of guilt and wanted to make restitution.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, "hand" often symbolizes power or action. Here, it refers to God’s power being against the Philistines, causing their suffering. The verse connects their troubles directly to God’s active involvement.

Why 1 Samuel 6:3 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the Philistines recognized a need to address their offense against Israel’s God, not just return the ark as lost property.
  • It highlights the ancient belief in making restitution to a deity when seeking forgiveness or relief from suffering.
  • This advice sets up the events that follow, where the Philistines send specific offerings with the ark, showing their attempt to understand and respect the God of Israel’s requirements.

Where else these words appear

“empty” Hebrew H7387 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
  • Psalms 7:4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me;(yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

“offering” Hebrew H817 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
  • Leviticus 7:37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;
  • Numbers 6:12 And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.

“healed” Hebrew H7495 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
  • Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.