And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
Study Helps
Interpretation
It is a great affront to God, for vain men to pry into, and meddle with the secret things which belong not to them, De 29:29; Col 2:18 . Man was ruined by desiring forbidden knowledge.
Glossary
- Ark Object
- Noah’s ark, a building of gopher-wood, and covered with pitch, 300 cubits long, 50 cubits broad, and 30 cubits high.
- Beth-shemesh Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Bet Shemesh.