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.
And they said, 'If you send back the ark of the God of Israel, don't send it back empty-handed. Make sure you return it with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you'll understand why his punishment hasn't been lifted from you.'
The Philistine priests are advising their people that if they return God's ark, they must include a guilt offering to be healed and understand why God's judgment has remained on them.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Samuel, the Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites during a battle, which resulted in plagues and disasters striking their cities as a form of divine judgment. The Philistine priests, recognizing this as God's punishment, advised their leaders on how to return the Ark properly to appease Him and stop the afflictions. This event highlights the ancient Near Eastern practice of offering restitution to deities to restore favor and avoid further calamity.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.