And he smote the men of Beth-she'mesh, 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.
He smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark. In the ecstasy of delight at seeing the return of the ark, the Beth-shemesh reapers pried into it beneath the wagon cover; and instead of covering it up again, as a sacred utensil, they let it remain exposed to common inspection, wishing it to be seen, in order that all might enjoy the triumph of seeing the votive offerings presented to it, and gratify curiosity with the sight of the sacred shrine. This was the offence of those Israelites (Levites as well as common people), who, being priests of the family of Aaron, and Israelites, had treated the ark with less reverence than the Philistines themselves; and by opening the sacred chest, committed a grave offence, on account of which a destructive pestilence was sent upon the city and adjoining district.
Smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men. Beth-shemesh being only a village, this translation must be erroneous, and should be, 'he smote fifty out of a thousand,' being only 1,400 in all who indulged this curiosity. God, instead of decimating, according to an ancient usage, slew only a twentieth part -
i.e., according to Josephus, 70 out of 1,400 (see the note at Numbers 4:18-22).