Old Testament
1 Samuel 6:11
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
They placed the ark of the LORD on the cart, along with the box containing the golden mice and the golden tumors.
Compare translations
And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
What 1 Samuel 6:11 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this passage, the people of Israel are dealing with the consequences of having the ark of the LORD among them. They decide to return it to its rightful place. To do this, they place the ark on a cart, showing their respect for its significance. Alongside the ark, they include a box containing golden mice and tumors, which symbolize the plagues they experienced. This act reflects their desire to make amends and seek forgiveness. The golden items represent their acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a hope for healing. By returning the ark, they are taking a step towards restoring their relationship with God. This moment is pivotal, as it illustrates the importance of recognizing our mistakes and making efforts to correct them. It serves as a reminder that genuine repentance often involves tangible actions that reflect our intentions. The act of placing the ark on the cart signifies a new beginning for the people of Israel, as they seek to move forward with their faith.
How to apply 1 Samuel 6:11 to your life
When we recognize our mistakes, it's important to take steps to make things right. This could mean apologizing to someone we've hurt or changing our behavior. Genuine repentance involves actions that reflect our desire to improve. By doing so, we can restore relationships and find peace in our lives. Remember, it's never too late to seek forgiveness and start anew.
Curated for this public verse page. 1 Samuel Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah

Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about 1 Samuel 6:11
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying 1 Samuel 6:11
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of 1 Samuel
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel, Nathan, and Gad
- Written
- Around 930 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites of the early monarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does 1 Samuel 6:11 mean?
1 Samuel 6:11 describes how the people of Israel returned the ark of the LORD after experiencing plagues. They placed it on a cart along with a box of golden mice and tumors, symbolizing their acknowledgment of wrongdoing and desire for forgiveness.
What is the significance of the golden mice in 1 Samuel 6:11?
The golden mice in 1 Samuel 6:11 represent the plagues that afflicted the people. By including them with the ark, the Israelites showed their recognition of the consequences of their actions and their intent to make amends.
What does the ark of the LORD represent in 1 Samuel 6:11?
In 1 Samuel 6:11, the ark of the LORD represents God's presence and covenant with Israel. Placing it on the cart signifies the people's respect for its significance and their desire to restore their relationship with God.
How does 1 Samuel 6:11 relate to the theme of repentance?
1 Samuel 6:11 relates to repentance by showing the Israelites taking tangible actions to correct their mistakes. By returning the ark and offering golden items, they express their desire to make amends and seek healing from God.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.