New International Version“Now then, get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.
New Living Translation“Now build a new cart, and find two cows that have just given birth to calves. Make sure the cows have never been yoked to a cart. Hitch the cows to the cart, but shut their calves away from them in a pen.
English Standard VersionNow then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them.
Berean Standard BibleNow, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.
King James BibleNow 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:
New King James VersionNow therefore, make a new cart, take two milk cows which have never been yoked, and hitch the cows to the cart; and take their calves home, away from them.
New American Standard BibleNow then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves back home, away from them.
NASB 1995“Now therefore, take and prepare a new cart and two milch cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves home, away from them.
NASB 1977“Now therefore take and prepare a new cart and two milch cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves home, away from them.
Legacy Standard BibleSo now, take and make a new cart and two milch cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves home, away from them.
Amplified BibleNow then, make a new cart and prepare two milk cows on which a yoke has never been placed; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves back home, away from them.
Christian Standard Bible“Now then, prepare one new cart and two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.
Holman Christian Standard Bible“Now then, prepare one new cart and two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.
American Standard VersionNow therefore take and prepare you a new cart, and two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke; and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;
Contemporary English VersionGet a new cart and two cows that have young calves and that have never pulled a cart. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take the calves back to their barn.
English Revised VersionNow therefore take and prepare you a new cart, and two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationNow get a new cart ready for two dairy cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart. Take their calves away, and leave them in their stall.
Good News TranslationSo prepare a new wagon and two cows that have never been yoked; hitch them to the wagon and drive their calves back to the barn.
International Standard Version"So make a new cart, and take two milk cows that have never had a yoke on them. Hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves away from them and back to the house.
NET BibleSo now go and make a new cart. Get two cows that have calves and that have never had a yoke placed on them. Harness the cows to the cart and take their calves from them back to their stalls.
New Heart English Bible"Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and take their calves from them back home;
Webster's Bible TranslationNow therefore make a new cart, and take two milch-cows on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.
World English Bible“Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart and two milk cows on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd now, take and make one new cart, and two suckling cows, on which a yoke has not gone up, and you have bound the cows in the cart, and caused their young ones to turn back from after them to the house,
Young's Literal Translation 'And now, take and make one new cart, and two suckling kine, on which a yoke hath not gone up, and ye have bound the kine in the cart, and caused their young ones to turn back from after them to the house,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd now take and make one new wagon, and two heifers giving milk, which a yoke came not up upon them, and make fast the heifers upon the wagon, and turn back their young from after them to the house. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow therefore take and make a new cart: and two kine that have calved, on which there hath come no yoke, tie to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
Catholic Public Domain VersionNow therefore, fashion and take a new cart, with two cows that have given birth, but on which no yoke has been imposed. And yoke them to the cart, but retain their calves at home.
New American BibleSo now set to work and make a new cart. Then take two milk cows that have not borne the yoke; hitch them to the cart, but drive their calves indoors away from them.
New Revised Standard VersionNow then, get ready a new cart and two milch cows that have never borne a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow therefore make a new cart, and take two milch cows upon which there has come no yoke, and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedNow take and make one new wagon and two cows that are nursing on which a yoke has not fallen, and bind the cows to the wagons, and return their offspring after them to the house OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now therefore take and prepare you a new cart, and two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd now take wood and make a new wagon, and take two cows, that have calved for the first time, without their calves; and do ye yoke the cows to the wagon, and lead away the calves from behind them home.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Ark Returned to Israel… 6Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people on their way as they departed? 7Now, therefore,prepareonenewcartwith twomilkcowsthathave neverbeen yoked.Hitchthe cowsto the cart,but take their calvesawayand pen them up.8Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,…
Cross References Exodus 25:22And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
Numbers 7:89When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.
2 Samuel 6:3They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart,
1 Chronicles 13:7So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.
1 Chronicles 15:13-15It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” / So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. / And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.
2 Kings 2:24Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.
2 Kings 6:6“Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float.
Isaiah 46:1-2Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. / The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.
Jeremiah 10:5Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”
Jeremiah 50:2“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’
Matthew 21:2-3saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. / If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Matthew 21:5“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Mark 11:2-3and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’”
Mark 11:7Then they led the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, and He sat on it.
Luke 19:30-31saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
Treasury of Scripture Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke, and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: new cart 2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab thatwas in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. 1 Chronicles 13:7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. on which Numbers 19:2 Thisis the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, whereinis no blemish,and upon which never came yoke: Jump to Previous BoundCalvesCartCausedCowsHomeHouseKineMilchMilkNewPrepareReadySucklingTieTurnYokeYourselvesJump to Next BoundCalvesCartCausedCowsHomeHouseKineMilchMilkNewPrepareReadySucklingTieTurnYokeYourselves1 Samuel 6 1.After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark10.They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh19.The people are smitten for looking into the ark21.They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch itNow, therefore, prepare one new cartThe Philistines, having captured the Ark of the Covenant, sought to return it to Israel after experiencing divine retribution. The use of a "new cart" signifies respect and reverence, ensuring that the cart was not previously used for mundane purposes. This reflects the biblical principle of offering God the best and the first, as seen in offerings and sacrifices throughout the Old Testament. with two milk cows that have never been yoked
Milk cows, or cows that have recently calved, are typically not used for pulling carts, especially if they have never been yoked. This choice was intentional to demonstrate that the return of the Ark was an act of God, as these cows would naturally resist leaving their calves. The use of animals that have never been yoked also symbolizes purity and a new beginning, similar to the unblemished animals required for sacrifices. Hitch the cows to the cart
This instruction was a test to see if the cows would act contrary to their nature. If they did, it would confirm that the calamities the Philistines experienced were indeed from the God of Israel. The act of hitching the cows to the cart is reminiscent of the yoke of Christ, which is easy and light, as mentioned inMatthew 11:29-30, symbolizing submission to divine will. but take their calves away and pen them up
Separating the cows from their calves was a further test of divine intervention. Naturally, the cows would seek to return to their calves, but if they proceeded towards Israel, it would be a sign of God's hand at work. This separation can also be seen as a type of sacrifice, where something valuable is given up for a greater purpose, paralleling the sacrificial system and ultimately pointing to Christ's sacrifice. Persons / Places / Events 1. PhilistinesThe Philistines were a group of people who were often in conflict with the Israelites. In this context, they had captured the Ark of the Covenant and were experiencing divine retribution. 2. Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with the Israelites. The Philistines sought to return it to Israel due to the plagues they suffered. 3. Milk CowsTwo cows that had never been yoked were chosen to pull the cart carrying the Ark. This was significant because it was against their natural instincts to leave their calves and work together. 4. Beth ShemeshThe destination where the Ark was to be returned. It was a Levitical city in Israel, indicating a return to the rightful caretakers of the Ark. 5. Divine TestThe Philistines devised a test to see if the plagues were truly from the God of Israel. If the cows went straight to Beth Shemesh, it would confirm divine intervention. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyThe passage demonstrates God's control over all creation, including animals, to fulfill His purposes. This reminds us of His ultimate authority in our lives. Faith and ObedienceThe cows' unnatural behavior in following the path to Beth Shemesh illustrates obedience to God's will, encouraging believers to trust and follow God's guidance even when it defies human logic. Repentance and AcknowledgmentThe Philistines' actions show a recognition of God's power and a desire to make amends. This serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and acknowledging God's authority. Divine TestingThe test set by the Philistines reflects the human desire for confirmation of God's will. It encourages believers to seek God's guidance and confirmation through prayer and scripture. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 6:7?
2.How does 1 Samuel 6:7 demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation and human plans?
3.What lessons about obedience can we learn from the Philistines' actions in this verse?
4.How does 1 Samuel 6:7 connect to God's guidance in Proverbs 3:5-6?
5.In what ways can we seek God's direction in our daily decisions?
6.How can we apply the principle of seeking God's will in difficult situations?
7.What is the significance of using a new cart in 1 Samuel 6:7?
8.Why were two milk cows chosen in 1 Samuel 6:7?
9.How does 1 Samuel 6:7 reflect God's sovereignty?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 6?
11.How could untrained cows in 1 Samuel 6:7–12 pull the Ark straight to Beth Shemesh without wandering?
12.What are the key events in 1 Samuel?
13.Are there any contradictions between 1 Samuel 4 and other biblical accounts regarding the fate of Eli's sons or the Ark's movements?
14.In Luke 19:35-36, how could a previously unridden colt remain calm amid a jubilant crowd without any training or acclimatization?What Does 1 Samuel 6:7 Mean Prepare one new cart– The Philistine priests advised, “prepare one new cart.” A fresh cart had never carried common loads, so it would not be tainted by secular use (cf.Numbers 7:1–3, where new carts were dedicated to tabernacle service). – The ark was holy, and a new cart honored that holiness. Purity in the objects that bear God’s presence matters (2 Samuel 6:3 shows Israel later imitating this very practice). – Practically, a sturdy, unused cart ensured the ark and the guilt offering would arrive safely without risk from worn equipment. God’s directives are both spiritually symbolic and practically wise.
Two milk cows that have never been yoked– Milk cows were gentle and strong, yet “have never been yoked.” They had no training to pull together. In normal circumstances they would resist the yoke or turn back to their calves. – By choosing such unlikely animals, the Philistines set up a clear test: if these inexperienced cows, with no human driver, head straight toward Israel, God Himself is directing them. This echoes Gideon’s fleece inJudges 6:36–40—another divinely permitted sign to settle doubt. – Scripture often pairs “never yoked” with purity for special sacrifice (Numbers 19:2;Deuteronomy 21:3). Here it underlines that the journey of the ark is under divine, not human, control.
Hitch the cows to the cart– The priests tell them to act on faith: hitch the untrained cows and let them go. Like Moses lifting his staff over the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16), obedience precedes the miracle. – The scene foreshadowsRomans 12:1—offering bodies as living sacrifices. The cows, pulled from ordinary life, become instruments in God’s plan. – It also contrasts sharply with the later tragedy of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6–7). There, failure to respect God’s precise instructions brought judgment. Here, meticulous obedience brings revelation.
Take their calves away and pen them up– Removing the calves heightens the test. Instinct would draw milk cows back to their young. If they head toward Israel anyway, only God could override that maternal pull (1 Samuel 6:12 explicitly records the cows going straight on the road, lowing all the way). – The separation echoes Abraham placing Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:9–12). Sacrificial surrender often involves what is closest to the heart. – It also anticipates Jesus’ call inLuke 14:26 to love Him more than family ties. God sometimes asks for what we hold dearest to display His supremacy.
summary1 Samuel 6:7 sets up a deliberate, observable test to prove the Lord’s hand in returning the ark. A brand-new cart, unyoked milk cows, and the removal of their calves combine to make any natural explanation impossible. When the cows walk straight to Israel, even pagan observers must acknowledge that “the LORD is the one who struck us” (v. 9). The verse teaches that God’s holiness demands purity, His instructions deserve exact obedience, and His power overrules the strongest natural instincts. (7) Now therefore make a new cart.--The note here in the Speaker's Commentaryis interesting. "This was so ordered in reverence to the Ark, and was a right and true feeling. (See Numbers 19:2; 2Samuel 6:3.) So our Lord rode on an ass 'whereon never man sat' ( Mark 11:2), and His holy body was laid in Joseph's 'new tomb, wherein never man before was laid' ( Matthew 27:60; Luke 23:53). For the supposed peculiar virtue of newthings, see Judges 16:7-11." . . . Verse 7. - Make a new cart, and take, etc. The Hebrew is, "Now take and make you a new cart, and two milch kine." The transposition of the A.V. throws undue stress upon the verb make, whereas the Hebrew simply means that both the cart was to be new, and the heifers untrained and unbroken to the yoke. Both these were marks of reverence. Nothing was to be employed in God's service which had been previously used for baser purposes (comp. Mark 11:2). No animal was deemed fit for sacrifice which had laboured in the field. The separation of the kine from their calves was for the purpose of demonstrating whether the plague after all was supernatural, and it is remarkable what great care the Philistine priests take against confounding the extraordinary with the Divine. If, however, the kine act in a manner contrary to nature, their last doubt will be removed.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Now, therefore,וְעַתָּ֗ה(wə·‘at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258:At this timeprepareוַעֲשׂ֜וּ(wa·‘ă·śū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6213:To do, makeoneאֶחָ֔ת(’e·ḥāṯ)Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstnewחֲדָשָׁה֙(ḥă·ḏā·šāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2319:Newcartעֲגָלָ֤ה(‘ă·ḡā·lāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5699:Something revolving, a wheeled vehiclewith twoוּשְׁתֵּ֤י(ū·šə·tê)Conjunctive waw | Number - fdc
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)milkעָל֔וֹת(‘ā·lō·wṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 5763:To suckle, give milkcowsפָרוֹת֙(p̄ā·rō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6510:A heifer, cowthatאֲשֶׁ֛ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thathave neverלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nobeen yoked.עָלָ֥ה(‘ā·lāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyHitchוַאֲסַרְתֶּ֤ם(wa·’ă·sar·tem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 631:To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battlethe cowsהַפָּרוֹת֙(hap·pā·rō·wṯ)Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6510:A heifer, cowto the cart,בָּעֲגָלָ֔ה(bā·‘ă·ḡā·lāh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5699:Something revolving, a wheeled vehiclebut take their calvesבְּנֵיהֶ֛ם(bə·nê·hem)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A sonawayוַהֲשֵׁיבֹתֶ֧ם(wa·hă·šê·ḇō·ṯem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againand pen them up.הַבָּֽיְתָה׃(hab·bā·yə·ṯāh)Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1004:A house
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OT History: 1 Samuel 6:7 Now therefore take and prepare yourselves (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
