1 Samuel 7:9
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲלֵ֧ה
and offered
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲלֵ֧ה
and offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עוֹלָ֛ה
it for a burnt offering
H5930
עוֹלָ֛ה
it for a burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
7 of 17
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
כָּלִ֖יל
wholly
H3632
כָּלִ֖יל
wholly
Strong's:
H3632
Word #:
8 of 17
complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּזְעַ֨ק
cried
H2199
וַיִּזְעַ֨ק
cried
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
10 of 17
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּעַ֣ד
H1157
בְּעַ֣ד
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
14 of 17
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Jeremiah 15:1Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.Psalms 99:6Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.1 Samuel 7:17And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.James 5:16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.1 Samuel 16:2And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
Historical Context
Prophets occasionally offered sacrifice (1 Samuel 9:12-13; 1 Kings 18:30-38), though this was normally priestly prerogative. Samuel's unique position as prophet-judge gave him authority in both spheres. The burnt offering's complete consumption symbolized total dedication and atonement.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of a lamb offered while enemies approach connect to Christ's sacrifice?
- What does 'the LORD heard him' teach about the effectiveness of righteous intercession?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
Samuel's actions combine sacrifice and intercession. The 'sucking lamb' ('teleh chalab') - a nursing lamb, young and innocent - provided the sacrifice. As burnt offering ('olah'), it was consumed entirely ('kalil', wholly), representing complete consecration. Samuel functioned here as priest though not of Aaronic lineage - his prophetic calling authorized exceptional priestly action, as with Elijah later (1 Kings 18). His 'crying' ('za'aq') to the LORD indicates fervent, urgent petition, the same term used for Israel's distress cries throughout Judges. The climactic statement 'the LORD heard him' confirms answered prayer. God's hearing implies not mere auditory reception but responsive action. The lamb offered while enemies approached points forward to Christ - the Lamb whose sacrifice secures deliverance for God's people even as spiritual enemies advance.