2 Samuel 6:3
New International Version
They 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, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart

New Living Translation
They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart

English Standard Version
And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart,

Berean Standard Bible
They 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,

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

New American Standard Bible
They had mounted the ark of God on a new cart and moved it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.

NASB 1995
They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.

NASB 1977
And they placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they drove the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.

Amplified Bible
They placed the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.

Christian Standard Bible
They set the ark of God on a new cart and transported it from Abinadab’s house, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They set the ark of God on a new cart and transported it from Abinadab’s house, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart

American Standard Version
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

Contemporary English Version
They put the sacred chest on a new ox cart and started bringing it down the hill from Abinadab's house. Abinadab's sons Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the ox cart,

English Revised Version
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David and his men put God's ark on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab's home on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, were guiding the new cart.

Good News Translation
They took it from Abinadab's home on the hill and placed it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart,

International Standard Version
They mounted the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab's home in Gibeah, with Abinadab's sons Uzzah and Ahio driving the new cart.

Majority Standard Bible
They 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,

NET Bible
They loaded the ark of God on a new cart and carried it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart.

New Heart English Bible
And they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was on the hill. And Uzza and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, guided the cart

Webster's Bible Translation
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 drove the new cart.

World English Bible
They set God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they cause the Ark of God to ride on a new cart, and lift it up from the house of Abinadab, which [is] in the height, and Uzzah and Ahio sons of Abinadab are leading the new cart;

Young's Literal Translation
And they cause the ark of God to ride on a new cart, and lift it up from the house of Abinadab, which is in the height, and Uzzah and Ahio sons of Abinadab are leading the new cart;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they caused the ark of God to ride upon a new wagon, and they will lift it up from the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill: and Uzzah and his brother, sons of Abinadab, led the new wagon.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they laid the ark of God upon a new cart: and took it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa: and Oza, and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they placed the ark of God on a new cart. And they took it from the house of Abinadab, who was in Gibeon. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

New American Bible
They transported the ark of God on a new cart and took it away from the house of Abinadab on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart,

New Revised Standard Version
They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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 Ahia, the sons of Abinadab, drove the cart, walking behind it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart and they carried it from the house of Abinadab that was in Gebatha, and Azah and Akhia the sons of Abinadab controlled the cart at the rear
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they put the ark of the Lord on a new waggon, and took it out of the house of Aminadab who lived on the hill, and Oza and his brethren the sons of Aminadab drove the waggon with the ark.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Fetches the Ark
2And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it. 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, 4bringing with it the ark of God. And Ahio was walking in front of the ark.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 13:7
So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.

Numbers 4:15
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.

Exodus 25:14-15
Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, in order to carry it. / The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.

1 Samuel 6:7-8
Now, 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. / Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,

1 Samuel 6:10-11
So the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves. / Then they put the ark of the LORD on the cart, along with the chest containing the gold rats and the images of the tumors.

1 Samuel 7:1-2
Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD. / And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim. And all the house of Israel mournfully sought the LORD.

1 Chronicles 15:2
Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

1 Chronicles 15:13-15
It 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.

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.

Joshua 3:3
and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it.

Joshua 3:14-17
So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ...

1 Kings 8:3-6
When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, / and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up. / There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. ...

1 Chronicles 15:25-28
So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. / And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. / Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. ...

1 Chronicles 16:1
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.


Treasury of Scripture

And they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

set, etc.

Numbers 4:5-12
And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it: …

Numbers 7:9
But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.

1 Samuel 6:7
Now 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:

Gibeah.

Jump to Previous
Abinadab Abin'adab Ahio Ahi'o Ark Carried Cart Cause Drave Drove Gibeah Guiding Height Hill House Leading New Placed Ride Uzzah
Jump to Next
Abinadab Abin'adab Ahio Ahi'o Ark Carried Cart Cause Drave Drove Gibeah Guiding Height Hill House Leading New Placed Ride Uzzah
2 Samuel 6
1. David fetches the ark from Kirjath Jearim on a new cart,
6. Uzzah is smitten at Perez Uzzah
9. God blesses Obed-Edom for the ark
12. David brings the ark into Zion with sacrifices, and dances before it;
16. for which Michal despises him
17. He places it in a tabernacle with great joy and feasting
20. Michal, reproving David for his joy, is childless to her death














They set the ark of God
The "ark of God" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. In Hebrew, the word for "ark" is "aron," which means a chest or box. The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people and was central to Israelite worship. The reverence and care with which the Ark was to be handled underscore the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him with respect and obedience.

on a new cart
The use of a "new cart" indicates an attempt to show respect and honor to the Ark by not using something old or defiled. However, this method of transport was contrary to God's specific instructions given in the Torah, where the Ark was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites using poles (Exodus 25:14). The Hebrew word for "new" is "chadash," which can imply something fresh or unused. This choice, though well-intentioned, reflects a deviation from divine instructions, highlighting the importance of obedience over human innovation in worship.

and brought it from the house of Abinadab
The house of Abinadab had been the resting place of the Ark for many years after it was returned by the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:1). Abinadab's home, located in Kiriath-jearim, became a temporary sanctuary for the Ark. The Hebrew name "Abinadab" means "my father is noble," suggesting a household of some standing and reverence. This transition marks a significant moment in Israel's history as King David seeks to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of the nation.

which was on the hill
The phrase "on the hill" indicates the geographical setting of Abinadab's house. In ancient times, hills were often seen as places closer to the divine, symbolizing elevation both physically and spiritually. The Hebrew word "gibeah" means hill or high place, and it often denotes a place of significance or worship. This setting underscores the sacredness of the Ark's resting place and the solemnity of its journey to Jerusalem.

Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab
Uzzah and Ahio, as sons of Abinadab, were likely Levites, given the responsibility of overseeing the transport of the Ark. Their involvement signifies a familial and priestly duty to safeguard the Ark. The name "Uzzah" means "strength," and "Ahio" means "brotherly." These names reflect attributes that are desirable in those who serve God, yet the narrative that follows serves as a sobering reminder of the need for adherence to God's commands, regardless of personal qualities or intentions.

were guiding the new cart
The act of "guiding" the cart suggests a role of leadership and responsibility. The Hebrew root "nahag" means to drive or lead, indicating that Uzzah and Ahio were entrusted with a significant task. This phrase sets the stage for the subsequent events, where the manner of guidance and transport becomes a critical issue. It serves as a poignant reminder of the necessity for spiritual leaders to align their actions with God's directives, ensuring that their guidance leads to blessing rather than judgment.

(3) Upon a new cart.--The new cart, one which had been used for no other purpose, was doubtless intended as a mark of respect (comp. 1Samuel 6:7); yet it was a violation of the law (Numbers 7:9), requiring that the ark should be borne by the Levites. It is not necessary to suppose that David intended to violate the law; but the ark having been left neglected for more than two generations, the exact requirements in regard to it may easily have passed out of mind.

Abinadab that was in Gibeah.--Rather, in the hill, as the same word is translated in 1Samuel 7:1. Abinadab himself may have been long since dead, and Uzzah and Ahio may have been either his sons, now advanced in life, or his grandsons.

Verse 3. - And they set the ark of God (Hebrew, made it ride) upon a new cart. This was contrary to the Levitical Law, which required that only Levites should bear the ark, and that it should be veiled even from their eyes (Numbers 4:15). But this mistake is not surprising. It is easy enough for us to turn to our Bibles, and see what the exact letter of a command was. But such reference was no easy matter when the Law was contained in manuscripts which were rare and costly. We cannot imagine that David or even Abiathar carried a manuscript about with them in their wanderings. David very probably had a considerable knowledge of the Pentateuch, gained in Samuel's schools, and stored up in his memory, as was the custom in old days when books were scarce. But this knowledge would be chiefly of its narratives and doctrines, and would comprise such portions as Samuel thought most fitting to influence the lives of his scholars. Abiathar probably added to this a knowledge of all such ritual as was in daily use in the sanctuary at Nob. He had fled thence in terror, escaping alone from the cruel destruction of the priests by Saul's decree; but even there the restoration of the Levitical services had been too recent to have given time for much study of the old Law. We can quite believe that the murder of the priests at Nob, following upon the catastrophe at Shiloh, had reduced the knowledge of the priests to a very low ebb. Now, the exact way of bearing the ark was a matter that had long been dismissed from their memories, but they would call to mind that it had been brought to Abinadab's house in a new cart drawn by oxen; and they would take this as a precedent, which would justify them in acting in the same manner a second time. But in so solemn a matter the priests ought to have made diligent search, and have gone for instruction to the copies which they possessed of the Divine Law. David did so subsequently (1 Chronicles 15:2), but possibly there was no such copy at present in Jerusalem, and they would have to go to Ramah, where Samuel would deposit whatever records he had saved from the ruin of Shiloh, and where the great work of the prophets was to study the sacred books, and even copy them. But this want of inquiry and easy assumption, that as the ark was brought in a cart to Abinadab's house, so in a cart it should be carried away, was an act of great irreverence, and all the guilty were punished. The heaviest blow fell on the house of Abinadab, which lost a dear son. Entrusted for seventy years with the care of so sacred a symbol of Jehovah's presence, Abinadab and his family ought to have made a special study of the taws concerning it. Apparently they left it very much to itself; for it is never said that God blessed them for their care of it as he did Obed-Edom. And David also was in fault; for he ought to have commanded the priests to make diligent search. His punishment was the breaking out of the Divine wrath, terrifying the people, and turning the joy of the day to mourning. The house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah; really, that was upon the hill. Uzzah and Able, the sons of Abinadab. "Sons" in Hebrew is used in a large sense, and these two men were probably the grandsons of Eleazar, the son of Abinadab, who had been set apart to keep the ark. For seventy years, as it seems, lind passed since the ark was hurriedly put in Abinadab's house, namely, twenty during the Philistine supremacy up to the battle of Ebenezer, forty during the reign of Saul, and about ten since. As Eleazar must have been thirty years of age for his consecration to be legal, he must have died long ago, and his sons would be old and decrepit men. His grandsons would be in the prime of life.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They set
וַיַּרְכִּ֜בוּ (way·yar·ki·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

the ark
אֲר֤וֹן (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of God
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

on
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a new
חֲדָשָׁ֔ה (ḥă·ḏā·šāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2319: New

cart
עֲגָלָ֣ה (‘ă·ḡā·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5699: Something revolving, a wheeled vehicle

and brought it
וַיִּשָּׂאֻ֔הוּ (way·yiś·śā·’u·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

from the house
מִבֵּ֥ית (mib·bêṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Abinadab,
אֲבִינָדָ֖ב (’ă·ḇî·nā·ḏāḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 41: Abinadab -- 'my father is noble', three Israelites

which
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

was on the hill.
בַּגִּבְעָ֑ה (bag·giḇ·‘āh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1389: A hillock

Uzzah
וְעֻזָּ֣א (wə·‘uz·zā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5798: Uzza -- four Israelites

and Ahio,
וְאַחְי֗וֹ (wə·’aḥ·yōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 283: Ahio -- 'brotherly', the name of several Israelites

the sons
בְּנֵי֙ (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abinadab,
אֲבִ֣ינָדָ֔ב (’ă·ḇî·nā·ḏāḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 41: Abinadab -- 'my father is noble', three Israelites

were guiding
נֹהֲגִ֖ים (nō·hă·ḡîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh

the new
חֲדָשָֽׁה׃ (ḥă·ḏā·šāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2319: New

cart,
הָעֲגָלָ֥ה (hā·‘ă·ḡā·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5699: Something revolving, a wheeled vehicle


Links
2 Samuel 6:3 NIV
2 Samuel 6:3 NLT
2 Samuel 6:3 ESV
2 Samuel 6:3 NASB
2 Samuel 6:3 KJV

2 Samuel 6:3 BibleApps.com
2 Samuel 6:3 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 6:3 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 6:3 French Bible
2 Samuel 6:3 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 6:3 They set the ark of God (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 6:2
Top of Page
Top of Page