1 Samuel 7:3

Authorized King James Version

And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לֵאמֹר֒

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל

H8050

And Samuel

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

unto all the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֵאמֹר֒

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#10

לְבַבְכֶ֤ם

H3824

with all your hearts

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#11

אַתֶּ֤ם

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#12

שָׁבִים֙

H7725

If ye do return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#13

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

יְהוָה֙

H3068

unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#15

הָסִ֜ירוּ

H5493

then put away

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

#16

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

אֱלֹהֵ֧י

H430

gods

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#18

הַנֵּכָ֛ר

H5236

the strange

foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

#19

מִתּֽוֹכְכֶ֖ם

H8432

from among

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

#20

וְהָֽעַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת

H6252

and Ashtaroth

ashtaroth, the name of a sidonian deity, and of a place east of the jordan

#21

וְהָכִ֨ינוּ

H3559

you and prepare

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

#22

לְבַבְכֶ֤ם

H3824

with all your hearts

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#23

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#24

יְהוָה֙

H3068

unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#25

וְעִבְדֻ֣הוּ

H5647

and serve

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

#26

לְבַדּ֔וֹ

H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

#27

וְיַצֵּ֥ל

H5337

him only and he will deliver

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

#28

אֶתְכֶ֖ם

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#29

מִיַּ֥ד

H3027

you out of the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#30

פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃

H6430

of the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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