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.

2 SAMUEL 6:3KJV
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2 Samuel 6:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 6:3 mean?

2 Samuel 6:3 describes how the ark of God was placed on a new cart and transported from the house of Abinadab in Gibeah, with Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah and Ahio, guiding the cart. This verse sets the scene for the movement of the ark, highlighting who was involved and how the ark was being moved.

King David and the people of Israel wanted to bring the ark of God, which represented God’s presence, from where it had been kept in Abinadab’s house. The verse notes that a new cart was used, and that Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were responsible for driving it. This detail about the new cart and the people involved becomes important in the events that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 6:3

  • "ark" (אָרוֹן, aron): This word means a chest or box, and here it refers to the sacred ark that symbolized God’s covenant and presence with Israel.
  • "new" (חָדָשׁ, chadash): The use of a new cart (not previously used for other purposes) shows an attempt to treat the ark with special respect, though it was not the way God had originally instructed for moving the ark.
  • "cart" (עֲגָלָה, agalah): This word means a wagon or cart. Using a cart to move the ark was different from the method prescribed in earlier scriptures, which called for the ark to be carried by Levites on poles.

Why 2 Samuel 6:3 matters

  • The verse highlights that the ark was moved in a way that was not according to the instructions given in the Law of Moses, which required the ark to be carried by Levites using poles. This sets up the tension for what happens next in the story.
  • Mentioning Uzzah and Ahio by name draws attention to their roles and prepares the reader for the significant events involving them later in the chapter.
  • The detail about the "new cart" shows the people’s intention to honor the ark, but also hints at a misunderstanding or neglect of God’s specific commands, which is a key theme in the surrounding narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Ahio” Hebrew H283 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:14 And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

“Abinadab” Hebrew H41 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 31:2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

“Uzzah” Hebrew H5798 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:6 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.
  • 2 Kings 21:26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

“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:
  • 1 Samuel 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.