They said — This ark is an instrument of punishment

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Vayassa 7:14

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 17, 2025

They said: This ark is an instrument of punishment. It smote the men of Beth Shemesh, viz. (I Samuel 6:19) "And He smote the men of Beth Shemesh because they looked into the ark of the L–rd, etc." And it smote Uzzah, viz. (II Samuel 6:7) "and the wrath of the L–rd burned against Uzzah … and he died there by the ark of G–d." Therefore, let Israel know that it can (also) effect blessing, as it is written (Ibid. 11) "And the ark of the L–rd remained in the house of Oved-Edom the Gittite … and the L–rd blessed Oved-Edom, etc."

Themes

Divine justice Prayer Death Holy Land

Biblical References

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