1 Samuel 16 7

1 Samuel 16:7 kjv

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 nkjv

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7 niv

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7 esv

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7 nlt

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16 verses

1 Samuel 16 7 Meaning

This pivotal verse reveals God's ultimate criterion for choosing a leader, contrasting it sharply with human perception. While people are prone to judge based on external factors such as physical appearance, stature, or impressive outward traits, the Lord alone discerns the inner character, motives, and spiritual condition of a person's "heart." This truth establishes divine priorities for leadership, emphasizing righteousness and inner commitment over superficial qualities.

1 Samuel 16 7 Context

This verse is located within 1 Samuel chapter 16, which marks a pivotal transition in Israel's history. Following King Saul's persistent disobedience and God's rejection of him as king in 1 Samuel 15, the Lord instructs Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from the house of Jesse. Samuel, still mourning Saul, fears reprisal from Saul if this mission is discovered. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Jesse presents his sons to Samuel, beginning with the eldest, Eliab, who possesses an impressive physique similar to Saul's. Samuel, instinctively assessing Eliab by his outward appearance, concludes he must be the Lord's chosen one. It is at this moment, before any further human error in judgment can be made, that God issues this corrective and foundational declaration, redefining the criteria for divine selection. Historically, the selection of leaders based on physical might and impressive stature was common in the ancient Near East, making God's statement a radical departure from societal norms and a direct repudiation of Israel's initial choice of Saul.

1 Samuel 16 7 Word analysis

• "But the Lord said to Samuel,": Highlights divine initiative and communication. This is a direct word from God, interrupting Samuel's human-centric judgment.
• "Do not look" (אַל־תַּבֵּט, ʾal-tabbeṭ from נָבַט, nabat, to look intently, gaze): A divine command and a direct rebuke of Samuel's immediate human inclination. It forbids superficial observation.
• "on his appearance" (בְּמַרְאֵהוּ, b'marʾehu, from מַרְאֶה, marʾeh, sight, vision, visible aspect): Refers to the visible outward look, the surface impression. Samuel was observing Eliab.
• "or on the height of his stature" (וְעַל־גְּבֹהַּ קוֹמָתוֹ, w'al-g'voah qomato, lit. "and on tallness of his height"): This specifically points to physical height and impressive build. It directly parallels and corrects the choice of Saul (1 Sam 9:2), who was "a head taller than any of the people." This was Israel's superficial reason for desiring Saul.
• "because I have rejected him" (כִּי מְאַסְתִּיהוּ, kî m'astîhû, from מָאַס, maʾas, to reject, despise, spurn): This is the divine rationale for not choosing Eliab. The same verb "rejected" was used for Saul (1 Sam 15:23), drawing a powerful parallel: physical impressiveness means nothing if the heart is not right with God.
• "For the Lord sees not as man sees:": A foundational theological principle explaining the vast difference between divine and human perception. Human sight is limited to the surface.
• "man looks on the outward appearance," (כִּי הָאָדָם יִרְאֶה לָעֵינַיִם, kî hāʾādām yirʾeh lāʿênaim, lit. "for man sees to the eyes"): Reiteration of human's limited, external focus, emphasizing superficiality. The lāʿênaim ("to the eyes") stresses judgment by visible externals.
• "but the Lord looks on the heart." (וַיהוָה יִרְאֶה לַלֵּבָב, waYHWH yirʾeh lalēbāḇ, lit. "and the Lord sees to the heart"): The powerful contrast. לֵבָב (lēbāḇ, heart) in Hebrew thought refers not merely to emotions, but to the entire inner being: the will, intellect, motives, conscience, and spiritual condition. This is where true character resides and what truly matters to God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature,": This phrase directly confronts the common human tendency, exemplified by Samuel here, to equate outward grandeur and physical prowess with leadership suitability or divine favor. It's a critique of valuing superficial qualities.
• "because I have rejected him.": This immediately links God's judgment to His previous rejection of Saul, implying a continuation of His principles: human judgment based on outward factors led to Saul, who proved disobedient despite his imposing figure. Eliab, though perhaps physically similar, was not chosen by God for inward reasons.
• "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.": This chiasmic structure emphasizes the core message: human sight is limited to what's visible, while divine sight penetrates to the true core of being—the motivations, character, and spiritual essence of a person. It is a defining statement of God's perfect wisdom and impartial discernment.

1 Samuel 16 7 Bonus section

The repetitive use of the root רָאָה (ra'ah), "to see," for both God and man highlights the contrast in their methods of perception. Man sees (יִרְאֶה, yir'eh) superficially, while God also sees (יִרְאֶה, yir'eh), but His sight penetrates deeply. The lesson applies not just to king selection but to all aspects of judging others and ourselves. It underscores that God's grace and calling often bypass human expectations, preferring those of humble or unpromising origins who possess a right heart, reinforcing themes found elsewhere in scripture (e.g., God choosing Moses, Gideon, or the apostles). This verse profoundly shaped Israel's understanding of their unique relationship with a God who is fundamentally different from the idols whose powers were often associated with physical manifestations or imposing appearances.

1 Samuel 16 7 Commentary

1 Samuel 16:7 serves as a theological cornerstone, asserting that God's selection criteria vastly transcend human standards. It acts as a divine corrective, not only to Samuel's misjudgment of Eliab but also to Israel's initial, flawed choice of Saul, who was kingly in appearance but ultimately disobedient in heart. The verse systematically dismantles the human inclination to value external qualities like height, beauty, or superficial charisma in leadership. Instead, it powerfully declares that God alone, with perfect insight, penetrates the facade to evaluate the "heart"—the true inner self, encompassing character, motives, spiritual state, and obedience. This divine perspective underscores that genuine leadership and true value are rooted in integrity, humility, and a devotion to God, rather than physical impressiveness. This truth liberates God from human conventions and emphasizes His unique wisdom in choosing His instruments for His purposes, as evidenced by the choice of the unassuming shepherd, David.Example: A highly eloquent and charismatic speaker may impress many with their public persona (outward appearance), but if their "heart" is filled with pride or self-serving motives, their leadership is fundamentally flawed in God's eyes. Conversely, someone outwardly unremarkable, yet possessing deep humility and genuine faith, would be seen by God as truly valuable.