Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

PSALMS 132:6KJV
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Psalms 132:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 132:6 mean?

Psalms 132:6 recalls how the people first heard about the ark of the covenant at Ephratah and then found it in the fields of the wood. The verse points to a time when the ark, a sacred object representing God's presence, was discovered in an unexpected rural place.

The speaker in this psalm is likely a worshipper or group recalling Israel’s history, possibly during King David’s time. “Ephratah” is often linked with Bethlehem, and “the fields of the wood” refers to a remote area where the ark was kept before being brought to Jerusalem. The verse sets the stage for the psalm’s focus on God’s dwelling place and the journey of the ark.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 132:6

  • אֶפְרָתָה (Ephratah, transliteration: Ephratah): This name is often associated with the region around Bethlehem. Mentioning Ephratah roots the story in a real, familiar place for ancient listeners.
  • שָׂדֶה (sadeh, transliteration: fields): This word means open country or fields, highlighting that the ark was not in a city or sanctuary but out in the countryside.
  • יַעַר (ya'ar, transliteration: wood): This word means forest or wooded area. It emphasizes the humble, hidden location where the ark was found, away from the main centers of worship.

Why Psalms 132:6 matters

  • This verse helps readers see that the ark’s journey was not straightforward; it was hidden away before being brought to a central place of worship, showing the humble beginnings of God’s dwelling among His people.
  • The mention of Ephratah and the fields connects the story to real geography and history, grounding the psalm in the lived experience of Israel.
  • Understanding where the ark was found adds depth to the rest of the psalm, which celebrates the ark’s arrival in Jerusalem and God’s presence with His people.

Where else these words appear

“Ephratah” Hebrew H672 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
  • Genesis 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:50 These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim,

“wood” Hebrew H3293 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Psalms 83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
  • Isaiah 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.