Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a journey of seeking and finding God's presence. "Ephrathah" represents a place where people heard about God's dwelling, perhaps a rumor or a past location, while "fields of Jaar" is where they found it, indicating a tangible discovery and the ark's resting place before its move to Zion.
Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage shifts from David's desire to build God a resting place to the people recalling how the ark, the symbol of God's presence, was "heard of" in the region of Ephrathah but "found" in the fields of Jaar (likely Kirjath-Jearim), where it had been for many years. This highlights the ark's long period of obscurity before David's efforts to bring it to Jerusalem.
Have you ever heard a persistent rumor, something you couldn't quite pin down but kept circulating? This verse speaks of such a 'rumor' concerning God's dwelling place.
The Psalmist, speaking through the voice of the people, recalls hearing about God's intended dwelling – likely the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence – first in 'Ephrathah.'
What is Ephrathah?
This name is a bit of a puzzle! The commentaries suggest a few possibilities:
The key takeaway is that the idea of God establishing a special place of dwelling was circulating, even if the exact location was still becoming clear.
Imagine a precious treasure, known to be somewhere, but not yet in its rightful, permanent home. This verse speaks of the Ark's location before its final resting place.
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The verse continues, 'we found it in the fields of Jaar.' This points to the Ark's resting place for many years before David brought it to Jerusalem.
Kirjath-jearim: The City of Woods
'Jaar' is a shortened, poetic name for Kirjath-jearim. This city, whose name literally means 'City of Woods,' housed the Ark for about twenty years after its return from Philistine captivity.
Understand the original words
hinneh · Hebrew Interjection
An exclamation used to draw attention to something significant or miraculous, often indicating a shift in perspective or a call to observe God's work.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Hebrew term for God's personal, covenant-keeping name. It signifies His eternal nature, faithfulness, and self-existence.
mishkan · Hebrew Noun
A place where God resides among His people, most commonly referring to the Tabernacle or the Temple. It symbolizes God's presence, holiness, and the place where humanity interacts with the divine.
chavah · Hebrew Verb
An act of bowing down or prostrating oneself before God, signifying humble submission, reverence, and adoration. It recognizes God's absolute sovereignty and worthiness.
hadom · Hebrew Noun
Often identified as the Ark of the Covenant or the Temple floor, it represents the point where heaven touches earth, emphasizing God's transcendence and the humble posture required of those approaching Him.
aron · Hebrew Noun
The wooden chest containing the tablets of the Law, serving as the visible sign of God's covenant presence and the throne of His earthly manifestation.
oz · Hebrew Noun
A biblical metaphor for the manifestation of God’s supreme power, authority, and saving intervention on behalf of His people.
This verse reflects a time when the location of the Ark of the Covenant was uncertain and its presence was a national concern. The transition from its obscure resting place in Kirjath-Jearim to its triumphant arrival in Jerusalem under David highlights a pivotal moment of renewed national faith and the establishment of God's central place of worship.
c. 1050 BC
Ark brought to Kirjath-Jearim
After being captured by the Philistines and returned, the Ark of the Covenant remained in the house of Abinadab in Kirjath-Jearim for about 70 years, a period of relative obscurity for this sacred object.
c. 1010 BC
David attempts to move the Ark
King David made an initial attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, but it ended in disaster when Uzzah touched it and died. The Ark was then left at the house of Obed-Edom in Gath.
c. 1010 BC— this verse
Ark brought to Jerusalem
After three months with Obed-Edom, David successfully brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with great celebration, establishing it in a tent on Mount Zion.
c. 1005 BC
David's desire to build the Temple
King David longed to build a permanent house for the Ark of God but was forbidden by God, who instead promised that his son would build the Temple.
c. 965 BC
Solomon builds the Temple
Following David's plan and under God's guidance, Solomon built the magnificent First Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, where the Ark was finally placed.
This passage directly identifies Kirjath-jearim ('fields of the wood' or Jaar) as the place where the Ark of the Covenant rested for twenty years, providing historical context for its 'finding'.
2 Samuel 6:1-3This passage describes David's initial attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, highlighting the movement of the Ark from the 'house of Abinadab in Gibeah' (near Kirjath-jearim) and referencing the people's joy, echoing the sentiment of 'finding' it.
1 Chronicles 13:5-6Similar to 2 Samuel 6, this passage recounts David bringing the Ark from Baale-judah (Kirjath-jearim) to Jerusalem, confirming 'Jaar' (the fields of the wood) as the origin point.
Micah 5:2This prophecy foretells the birthplace of the ruler from Bethlehem, which is also called Ephrathah, connecting the 'heard of it in Ephrathah' to a significant Messianic expectation.
1 Kings 8:1-11This describes the culmination of the Ark's journey into the Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling the desire expressed in Psalm 132 to bring God's presence to its appointed rest.
clarkePsalms 132:6: "Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood."
Lo, we have heard of it at Ephratah - This may be considered as a continuation of David's vow, as if he had said: As I had determined to build a temple for the ark, and heard that it was at Ephratah, I went and found it in the fields of Jaar, יער; - not the wood, but Kirjath Jaar or Jearim, where the ark was then lodged; - and having found it, he entered the tabernacle, Psalm 132:7 ; and then, adoring that Go…
poolePsalms 132:6: "Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood."
We heard of it; of the place or habitation for the Lord last mentioned. At Ephratah; either, 1. In Bethlehem, which is called Ephratah, Genesis 35:19 48:7 Micah 5:2 . So the sense is either this, We heard a rumour at Bethlehem among David’s relations, that the ark should be removed to a new place, and that David had pitched upon it; or this, We heard that Bethlehem would be the place for it, because it was th…
The verse highlights a journey of seeking and finding God's presence. "Ephrathah" represents a place where people heard about God's dwelling, perhaps a rumor or a past location, while "fields of Jaar" is where they found it, indicating a tangible discovery and the ark's resting place before its move to Zion.
This passage shifts from David's desire to build God a resting place to the people recalling how the ark, the symbol of God's presence, was "heard of" in the region of Ephrathah but "found" in the fields of Jaar (likely Kirjath-Jearim), where it had been for many years. This highlights the ark's long period of obscurity before David's efforts to bring it to Jerusalem.
This passage shifts from David's desire to build God a resting place to the people recalling how the ark, the symbol of God's presence, was "heard of" in the region of Ephrathah but "found" in the fields of Jaar (likely Kirjath-Jearim), where it had been for many years. This highlights the ark's long period of obscurity before David's efforts to bring it to Jerusalem.
"Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might." — The verse highlights a journey of seeking and finding God's presence. "Ephrathah" represents a place where people heard about God's dwelling, perhaps a rumor or a past location, while "fields of Ja…
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Last reviewed October 2026