1 Samuel 3 7

1 Samuel 3:7 kjv

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

1 Samuel 3:7 nkjv

(Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.)

1 Samuel 3:7 niv

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

1 Samuel 3:7 esv

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

1 Samuel 3:7 nlt

Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before.

1 Samuel 3 verses

1 Samuel 3 7 Meaning

This verse explains Samuel's initial state of spiritual development: he did not yet have a personal, experiential knowledge of the Lord, nor had he received a direct, personal prophetic revelation from God. It highlights his spiritual immaturity at the time, even though he was serving in the temple. This sets the stage for God's first personal communication with Samuel, which is pivotal for his future prophetic ministry.

1 Samuel 3 7 Context

First Samuel chapter 3 introduces the period where Samuel transitions from a dedicated but spiritually unaware boy to God’s chosen prophet. Verse 7 specifically serves as an explanation and backdrop to the miraculous calls Samuel receives. The broader historical context is the era of the Judges, a time characterized by moral and spiritual decay, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 21:25). Prophetic communication from the Lord was scarce (1 Sam 3:1), signaling a period of spiritual famine and the need for God to raise up new leadership and clear direction for Israel. Eli, the current high priest, represents the old, failing order, whose sons Hophni and Phinehas brought dishonor to God's sanctuary. Against this bleak spiritual landscape, God initiates a personal call to a young, inexperienced Samuel, underscoring God's sovereign choice and renewal.

1 Samuel 3 7 Word analysis

• Now (וְשְׁמוּאֵל - wə-šəmu'el): The Hebrew waw (וְ) often translates as "and," but here it serves to introduce a circumstantial clause or provide explanatory background to the preceding events, acting much like "now" or "indeed." It draws attention to Samuel's state at that specific time when God first called him.
• Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל - Šəmû’ēl): This is the individual whom God will raise up to be a prophet and judge in Israel. The very name means "heard by God" or "name of God," adding profound irony, as he is about to hear God, yet has not yet truly known Him. His service in the tabernacle points to a dedication to God's things, but not yet to a deep, personal relationship.
• did not yet know (לֹא יָדַע אֶת־יְהוָה - lō’ yāḏa‘ ’eṯ-YHWH): The Hebrew verb yāḏa‘ (יָדַע) signifies not mere intellectual apprehension or factual awareness, but deep, personal, experiential knowledge, akin to knowing someone intimately through relationship (e.g., as in marital intimacy, Gen 4:1). This implies Samuel had knowledge about the Lord from his upbringing under Eli, but he lacked a direct, intimate, and personal encounter or relationship that marks a true prophet or mature believer. This is not a deficiency on Samuel's part, but a description of his stage of spiritual life. This state highlights that true knowledge of God is often a process of divine revelation and personal encounter.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name, often rendered "Yahweh." It emphasizes that Samuel lacked experiential knowledge of the true God of Israel, not just any deity. This term stands in contrast to the various local deities or foreign gods of surrounding nations, asserting the specific identity of the God who is now about to reveal Himself personally to Samuel.
• nor (וְלֹא - wə-lō’): A conjunctive negative, linking this second clause directly to the first, reinforcing Samuel's undeveloped spiritual state concerning divine revelation.
• was the word... yet revealed to him (נִגְלָה אֵלָיו דְּבַר־יְהוָה - niḡlāh ’êlāw dəḇar-YHWH):
  • revealed (נִגְלָה - niḡlāh): This is the Niphal perfect form of the verb gālâ (גָּלָה), meaning "to uncover," "to expose," "to reveal." The Niphal form denotes that the action is done to the subject (the word of the Lord was uncovered or revealed to him). It refers to a supernatural unveiling or communication of truth by God Himself, distinguishing it from general teaching or learning.
  • the word of the Lord (דְּבַר־יְהוָה - dəḇar-YHWH): This phrase typically refers to a divine prophetic message, an authoritative communication directly from God, often with specific instructions, warnings, or pronouncements. This is a critical term for prophetic ministry.
  
  The phrase "did not yet know the Lord" is further explained and specified by "nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him." This suggests that experiential knowledge of the Lord in a prophetic sense is intimately connected with direct divine revelation. The absence of this direct revelation explains Samuel's initial inability to recognize the Lord's voice, highlighting the process of God making Himself known. This serves as an indirect polemic against self-initiated spiritual experiences, emphasizing that God sovereignly initiates prophetic encounters and revelation. It also contrasts with the common belief in the ancient Near East that one could seek and manipulate divine knowledge from various sources or by specific rituals. Here, YHWH Himself takes the initiative and reveals His word.

1 Samuel 3 7 Bonus section

The concept of "knowing the Lord" in this verse connects directly to a covenantal understanding. To "know" YHWH implies a relationship of loyalty, obedience, and communion that transcends mere facts about God. It reflects a covenant relationship, where one participates actively and experientially. The lack of this "knowing" by Samuel prior to this revelation mirrors Israel's broader failure in the time of the Judges to truly know and obey their covenant God. God's act of revealing Himself to Samuel, a child who did not "know" Him, highlights God's sovereignty and His proactive grace in re-establishing prophetic leadership and revitalizing the covenant relationship with His people in a spiritually desolate time. It's a reminder that God initiates spiritual awakening and provides the necessary revelation for His servants to fulfill their purpose, often in surprising ways to those least expected to receive it.

1 Samuel 3 7 Commentary

This verse provides crucial insight into Samuel's spiritual readiness for God's call. Despite being dedicated to temple service from a young age (1 Sam 1:28, 2:11), and ministering directly to the Lord (1 Sam 3:1), Samuel had not yet experienced a personal, transformative encounter with God. His "knowing" of God was likely formal or academic, rather than the deep, intimate relationship foundational to true prophecy and faith. The "word of the Lord" had not been directly and personally revealed to him; his exposure to divine communication was secondary, likely through Eli, or from historical accounts.

The passage implicitly corrects any notion that prolonged physical presence in sacred spaces or dedication to religious duties automatically grants deep spiritual knowledge or direct revelation. Instead, it underscores that intimate knowledge of God and reception of His word are divine initiatives, bestowed by grace. Samuel’s journey illustrates that God meets us where we are, even in spiritual infancy, and progressively unveils Himself and His will. It shows that learning to recognize God’s voice and His direct communication is a developmental process guided by divine wisdom and perhaps human mentorship, as Eli helped Samuel. This foundational ignorance on Samuel’s part amplifies the significance of God's patient, repeated calls, underscoring His grace in drawing and training His chosen servants.