1 Samuel 16:7 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."

◄ 1 Samuel 16:7 ►

New International Version
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

New Living Translation
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

English Standard Version
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

NASB 1995
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

NASB 1977
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”

Amplified Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the LORD sees, for humans see what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."

English Revised Version
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the LORD told Samuel, "Don't look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the LORD looks into the heart."

Good News Translation
But the LORD said to him, "Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart."

International Standard Version
The LORD told Samuel, "Don't look at his appearance or his height, for I've rejected him. Truly, God does not see what man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

New Heart English Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For humans do not see as God sees, for humans look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart."

Webster's Bible Translation
But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the hight 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.

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.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance, and at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him; for [it is] not as man sees—for man looks at the eyes, and YHWH looks at the heart.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto Samuel, 'Look not unto his appearance, and unto the height of his stature, for I have rejected him; for it is not as man seeth -- for man looketh at the eyes, and Jehovah looketh at the heart.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to Samuel, Thou shalt not look upon his aspect or upon the height of his stature; for I rejected him: for not what man will see, for man will see with the eyes, and Jehovah will see at the heart.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to Samuel: Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature: because I have rejected him, nor do I judge according to the look of man: for man seeth those things that appear, but the Lord beholdeth the heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord said to Samuel: “You should not look with favor on his face, nor on the height of his stature. For I have rejected him. Neither do I judge by the appearance of a man. For man sees those things that are apparent, but the Lord beholds the heart.”

New American Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel: Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The LORD looks into the heart.

New Revised Standard Version
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him; for I do not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to Shemueil: “Do not gaze on his appearance and on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for I am not as a man who sees, because a man sees with the eyes and LORD JEHOVAH sees with the heart”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But the LORD said unto 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 on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance, nor on his stature, for I have rejected him; for God sees not as man looks; for man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Samuel Anoints David
…6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” 7But 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.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Psalm 139:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.

Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

1 Chronicles 28:9
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

John 7:24
Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Kings 8:39
be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

James 2:1-4
My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. / Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. / If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” ...

Proverbs 16:2
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

Treasury of Scripture

But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

Look not

1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

1 Samuel 10:23,24
And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward…

2 Samuel 14:25
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

seeth not

Job 10:4
Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?

Isaiah 55:8,9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD…

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.

looketh

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

2 Corinthians 10:7,10
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's…

outward appearance [heb] eyes

1 Kings 8:39
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

1 Chronicles 28:9
And 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 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

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1 Samuel 16

1. Samuel sent by God, under pretense of a sacrifice, comes to Bethlehem
6. His human judgment is reproved
11. He anoints David
15. Saul sends for David to quiet his evil spirit

Berean Study Bible

But the LORD said to Samuel
This phrase introduces a divine intervention in the narrative. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel. Samuel, the prophet, is being guided directly by God, highlighting the importance of divine revelation over human judgment. This sets the stage for a lesson in divine perspective versus human perspective.

Do not consider his appearance or his height
The Hebrew word for "appearance" is "mar'eh," which refers to what is visible to the eye. "Height" is "qomah," often associated with physical stature or impressiveness. Historically, Saul, Israel's first king, was chosen partly for his impressive appearance (1 Samuel 9:2). Here, God instructs Samuel to look beyond physical attributes, challenging cultural norms that equate leadership with physical prowess.

for I have rejected him
The word "rejected" comes from the Hebrew "ma'as," meaning to refuse or despise. This indicates a divine decision that is final and based on criteria beyond human understanding. It underscores God's sovereignty in choosing leaders based on His purposes rather than human expectations.

the LORD does not see as man does
This phrase contrasts divine perception with human perception. The Hebrew verb "ra'ah" (to see) is used here, emphasizing that God's vision penetrates deeper than human sight. This is a profound theological statement about God's omniscience and His ability to discern true character and intent.

For man sees the outward appearance
"Outward appearance" translates from "ayin," meaning eye or sight. This reflects the natural human tendency to judge based on what is visible and tangible. It serves as a caution against superficial judgments and a reminder of human limitations in understanding true worth.

but the LORD sees the heart
The Hebrew word for "heart" is "leb," which encompasses the inner self, including thoughts, emotions, and intentions. This phrase highlights God's ability to understand the true nature of a person, beyond external facades. It is a call to prioritize inner virtues over external appearances, aligning with biblical teachings that emphasize purity of heart (Matthew 5:8).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Samuel,
שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

look
תַּבֵּ֧ט (tab·bêṭ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5027: To scan, look intently at, to regard

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his appearance
מַרְאֵ֛הוּ (mar·’ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

or height,
גְּבֹ֥הַּ (gə·ḇō·ah)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1364: Elevated, powerful, arrogant

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I have rejected him;
מְאַסְתִּ֑יהוּ (mə·’as·tî·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3988: To spurn, to disappear

[the LORD does] not [see]
לֹ֗א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

as
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

man
הָאָדָ֔ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

does.
יִרְאֶה֙ (yir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

For
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

man
הָֽאָדָם֙ (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

sees
יִרְאֶ֣ה (yir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the outward appearance,
לַעֵינַ֔יִם (la·‘ê·na·yim)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

but the LORD
וַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

sees
יִרְאֶ֥ה (yir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the heart.?
לַלֵּבָֽב׃ (lal·lê·ḇāḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

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OT History: 1 Samuel 16:7 But Yahweh said to Samuel Don't look (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)