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1 Samuel 16:7

Samuel
Identity and self-worthIntegrityGod's loveWisdom

5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.

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.

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
KJV
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.
WEB
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
ASV
But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for [Jehovah seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.
DARBY
But Jehovah said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him; for it is not as man seeth; for man looketh upon the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh upon the heart.
BLB
And YHWH said to Samuel, “Look not at his appearance, or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For [it is] not as the man sees—for the man looks at the eyes, and YHWH looks at the heart.”
ÅB
Men Herren sa til Samuel: Se ikke på hans utseende og på hans høye vekst! For jeg har forkastet ham; jeg ser ikke på hva mennesket ser på, for mennesket ser på det utvortes, men Herren ser på hjertet.
OTB
Men Herren sa til Samuel,
«Se ikke på hans utseende eller på høyden av hans vekst,
for jeg har forkastet ham;
for Herren ser ikke slik mennesket ser,
for mennesket ser på det ytre,
men Herren ser på hjertet.»
B1930
Men Herren sa til Samuel: Se ikke på hans utseende og på hans høie vekst! For jeg har forkastet ham; jeg ser ikke på hvad mennesket ser på, for mennesket ser på det utvortes, men Herren ser på hjertet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 7:24

    Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

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  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I 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.

    Read in context

  • Luke 16:15

    And 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.

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  • Isaiah 55:8–9

    For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

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  • 1 Peter 3:4

    But 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.

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  • Proverbs 16:2

    All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

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  • Proverbs 31:30

    Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 147:10–11

    He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

    Read in context