Cart
A vehicle moving on wheels, and usually drawn by oxen (2 Sam 6:3). The Hebrew word thus rendered, ’agalah (1 Sam 6:7, 1 Sam 6:8), is also rendered “wagon” (Gen 45:19). It is used also to denote a war-chariot (Ps 46:9). Carts were used for the removal of the ark and its sacred utensils (Num 7:3, Num 7:6). After retaining the ark amongst them for seven months, the Philistines sent it back to the Israelites. On this occasion they set it in a new cart, probably a rude construction, with solid wooden wheels like that still used in Western Asia, which was drawn by two milch cows, which conveyed it straight to Beth-shemesh.
A “cart rope,” for the purpose of fastening loads on carts, is used (Isa 5:18) as a symbol of the power of sinful pleasures or habits over him who indulges them. (See Cord.) In Syria and Palestine wheel-carriages for any other purpose than the conveyance of agricultural produce are almost unknown.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
