1 Samuel 16:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
But the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
But the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 25
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּבֵּ֧ט
Look
H5027
תַּבֵּ֧ט
Look
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
6 of 25
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
מַרְאֵ֛הוּ
not on his countenance
H4758
מַרְאֵ֛הוּ
not on his countenance
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
8 of 25
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
גְּבֹ֥הַּ
or on the height
H1364
גְּבֹ֥הַּ
or on the height
Strong's:
H1364
Word #:
10 of 25
elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מְאַסְתִּ֑יהוּ
because I have refused
H3988
מְאַסְתִּ֑יהוּ
because I have refused
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
13 of 25
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֗א
H3808
לֹ֗א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִרְאֶ֥ה
looketh
H7200
יִרְאֶ֥ה
looketh
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
17 of 25
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הָֽאָדָם֙
for man
H120
הָֽאָדָם֙
for man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
18 of 25
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָֽאָדָם֙
for man
H120
הָֽאָדָם֙
for man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
20 of 25
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
יִרְאֶ֥ה
looketh
H7200
יִרְאֶ֥ה
looketh
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
21 of 25
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
לַעֵינַ֔יִם
on the outward appearance
H5869
לַעֵינַ֔יִם
on the outward appearance
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
22 of 25
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
But the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
But the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
23 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
John 7:24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.1 Peter 3:4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.Proverbs 31:30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.Proverbs 16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.1 Kings 8:39Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)Acts 1:24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,Jeremiah 20:12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued physical prowess and appearance in kings as signs of divine favor and military capability. Israel had adopted these criteria in choosing Saul. God's corrective through Samuel challenges cultural assumptions about leadership qualifications that persist across civilizations.
Questions for Reflection
- What aspects of your 'heart' - thoughts, motives, affections - need transformation before God's eyes?
- How does this passage challenge the criteria your church or organization uses to select leaders?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
This verse contains one of Scripture's most profound anthropological and theological statements. The contrast between human sight (einayim - eyes) and divine sight reveals fundamentally different modes of evaluation. 'The LORD looketh on the heart' (lebab) - encompassing mind, will, and affections - establishes internal character as the true criterion for divine approval. This principle anticipates Jesus' teaching that 'out of the heart proceed evil thoughts' (Matthew 15:19) and underscores that God's kingdom operates by values counter to worldly wisdom.