1 Samuel · Chapter 16 · Wisdom
1 Samuel 16:7 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"But Yahweh 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 Yahweh looks at the heart.”"
KJV · King James Version
"But the LORD3068 said559 unto Samuel8050, Look5027 not on his countenance4758, or on the height1364 of his stature6967; because I have refused3988 him: for the LORD seeth not as man120 seeth7200; for man120 looketh7200 on the outward appearance5869, but the LORD3068 looketh7200 on the heart3824. outward: Heb. eyes"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses lord, unto, not, countenance, while the WEB renders these as yahweh, don, face, rejected. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
1 Samuel 16:7 in 1 Samuel 16
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 1 Samuel 16:7 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 1 Samuel 16. Read the full chapter →
- v.5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
- v.6 When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely Yahweh’s anointed is before him.”
- v.7 But Yahweh 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 Yahweh looks at the heart.”
- v.8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
- v.9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
Book background
About the Book of 1 Samuel
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Author
- Samuel, Nathan, Gad (traditional compilation)
- Date written
- c. 930 BC
- Audience
- Early monarchic Israel
- Chapters
- 31
1 Samuel chronicles the rise of Israel's monarchy through three figures: Samuel the last judge, Saul the first king (who failed through disobedience), and David the shepherd anointed by God. Key narratives include David and Goliath, David sparing Saul's life twice, and the famous declaration that "the LORD looks on the heart" (16:7).
Setting: The transition from the judges to the monarchy; the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David.
Key themes: kingship · obedience · anointing · sovereignty · humility
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 1 Samuel 16:7
1 Samuel 16:7 contains 42 words in 7 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
But Yahweh said to Samuel
BYSTS
- 2
“Don’t look on his face
DLOHF
- 3
or on the height of his stature
OOTHOH
- 4
because I have rejected him
BIHRH
- 5
for I don’t see as man sees
FIDSAM
- 6
For man looks at the outward appearance
FMLATO
- 7
but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
BYLATH
Frequently asked
FAQ about 1 Samuel 16:7
What does 1 Samuel 16:7 say?
1 Samuel 16:7 reads: "But Yahweh 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 Yahweh looks at the heart.”" — from the Old Testament, 1 Samuel (Historical narrative). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 1 Samuel 16:7 in?
1 Samuel 16:7 is in the book of 1 Samuel, traditionally attributed to Samuel, Nathan, Gad (traditional compilation) and written around c. 930 BC. 1 Samuel is historical narrative in the Old Testament, originally addressed to Early monarchic Israel. Best known for David and Goliath and "the LORD looks on the heart".
What is 1 Samuel 16:7 about?
1 Samuel 16:7 is primarily a Bible verse about Wisdom. Within 1 Samuel, 1 Samuel chronicles the rise of Israel's monarchy through three figures: Samuel the last judge, Saul the first king (who failed through disobedience), and David the shepherd anointed by God. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between 1 Samuel 16:7 in WEB and KJV?
1 Samuel 16:7 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "But Yahweh 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 Yahweh looks at the heart.”". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "But the LORD3068 said559 unto Samuel8050, Look5027 not on his countenance4758, or on the height1364 of his stature6967; because I have refused3988 him: for the LORD seeth not as man120 seeth7200; for man120 looketh7200 on the outward appearance5869, but the LORD3068 looketh7200 on the heart3824. outward: Heb. eyes". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 1 Samuel 16:7?
1 Samuel 16:7 is 42 words in the WEB translation (215 characters), broken into 7 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 13 seconds.
How can I memorise 1 Samuel 16:7?
To memorise 1 Samuel 16:7, split it into its 7 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 1 Samuel 16:7 matter in 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel chronicles the rise of Israel's monarchy through three figures: Samuel the last judge, Saul the first king (who failed through disobedience), and David the shepherd anointed by God. Key narratives include David and Goliath, David sparing Saul's life twice, and the famous declaration that "the LORD looks on the heart" (16:7). 1 Samuel 16:7 sits within this larger story — 1 Samuel as a whole emphasises kingship, obedience, anointing.
How can I apply 1 Samuel 16:7 today?
Many readers use 1 Samuel 16:7 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 1 Samuel 16:7 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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Psalms 119:105
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Ecclesiastes 3:1
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Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
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Romans 12:2
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will…”
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James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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Psalms 1:1
“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;”
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Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”
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Proverbs 4:23
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Proverbs 15:1
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