1 Samuel 6:8
And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart,.... Which was dispensed with in these uncircumcised Philistines, there being no other to do this service:
and put the jewels of gold; or rather "vessels of gold" {p}; the five golden emerods, and the five golden mice:
which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; in a basket, as the Syriac version: in a scrip, as the Arabic; in a purse, or bag, as Josephus {q}; which latter is probable enough:
and send it away, that it may go; that is, set it a going, without any driver or guide; but leave it to take its course of itself to the land of Israel. Josephus {r} says it was set in a place where three ways met, that it might take which it might; and the taking of the right way must be a strong evidence of its being under the direction of God.
{p} bhzh ylk "vasa aurea", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, &c.
{q} Antiqu. l. 6. c. 1. sect. 2.
{r} Antiqu. l. 6. c. 1. sect. 2.