1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חַטַּאת
is as the sin
H2403
חַטַּאת
is as the sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
2 of 14
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
קֶ֙סֶם֙
of witchcraft
H7081
קֶ֙סֶם֙
of witchcraft
Strong's:
H7081
Word #:
3 of 14
a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle
מֶ֔רִי
For rebellion
H4805
מֶ֔רִי
For rebellion
Strong's:
H4805
Word #:
4 of 14
bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious
וְאָ֥וֶן
is as iniquity
H205
וְאָ֥וֶן
is as iniquity
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
5 of 14
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
וּתְרָפִ֖ים
and idolatry
H8655
וּתְרָפִ֖ים
and idolatry
Strong's:
H8655
Word #:
6 of 14
teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol
הַפְצַ֑ר
and stubbornness
H6484
הַפְצַ֑ר
and stubbornness
Strong's:
H6484
Word #:
7 of 14
to peck at, i.e., (figuratively) stun or dull
יַ֗עַן
H3282
יַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
וַיִּמְאָֽסְךָ֖
Because thou hast rejected
H3988
וַיִּמְאָֽסְךָ֖
Because thou hast rejected
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
9 of 14
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבַ֣ר
the word
H1697
דְּבַ֣ר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Jeremiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.1 Samuel 13:14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.Leviticus 20:6And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.Jeremiah 29:32Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.Galatians 5:20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,Psalms 107:11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:Exodus 22:18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.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.2 Corinthians 6:16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.Genesis 31:19And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
Historical Context
Witchcraft and idolatry were capital offenses in Israel (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 13:6-11). Samuel's comparison elevates Saul's disobedience to the level of these fundamental covenant violations. The teraphim (household idols) represented foreign religious practice Israel was commanded to reject.
Questions for Reflection
- How does rebellion against God's word functionally equal idolatry?
- What does symmetrical justice ('you rejected... he rejected') teach about divine response to human choices?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Samuel deepens the theological analysis: 'For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.' The Hebrew meri ('rebellion') and patsar ('stubbornness' or 'pushing') describe Saul's attitude. Comparing rebellion to witchcraft (qesem) and stubbornness to idolatry (teraphim) reveals their true nature: rejecting God's authority is functionally equivalent to seeking other gods. The verdict - 'Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king' - applies symmetrical justice: rejection receives rejection.