1 Samuel 7:16
New International Version
From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places.

New Living Translation
Each year he traveled around, setting up his court first at Bethel, then at Gilgal, and then at Mizpah. He judged the people of Israel at each of these places.

English Standard Version
And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places.

Berean Standard Bible
Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places.

King James Bible
And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

New King James Version
He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and judged Israel in all those places.

New American Standard Bible
And he used to go annually on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.

NASB 1995
He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.

NASB 1977
And he used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.

Amplified Bible
He used to go annually on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.

Christian Standard Bible
Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations.

American Standard Version
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.

Contemporary English Version
Every year he would go around to the towns of Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah where he served as judge for the people.

English Revised Version
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every year he went around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah in order to judge Israel in all those places.

Good News Translation
Every year he would go around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and in these places he would settle disputes.

International Standard Version
He went on a circuit each year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all those places.

Majority Standard Bible
Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places.

NET Bible
Year after year he used to travel the circuit of Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; he used to judge Israel in all of these places.

New Heart English Bible
He went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

World English Bible
He went from year to year in a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he has gone from year to year, and gone around Beth-El, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel [in] all these places;

Young's Literal Translation
and he hath gone from year to year, and gone round Beth-El, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all these places;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he went as often as from year to year, and be turned about the House of God, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and he judged Israel in all these places.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he went every year about to Bethel and to Galgal and to Masphath, and he judged Israel in the aforesaid places.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he went each year, traveling around to Bethel, and to Gilgal, and to Mizpah, and he judged Israel in the above-stated places.

New American Bible
He made a yearly circuit, passing through Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah and judging Israel at each of these places.

New Revised Standard Version
He went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all these places.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el and Gilgal and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he went on from year to year and was going around to Bayth Eil and Galgala and to Metspaya, and he judged Israel and all these regions
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he went year by year, and went round Baethel, and Galgala, and Massephath; and he judged Israel in all these consecrated places.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel Subdues the Philistines
15So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. 17Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.…

Cross References
Judges 4:5
And she would sit under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites would go up to her for judgment.

1 Samuel 8:1-3
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.

1 Samuel 12:11
So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

1 Samuel 10:25
Then Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.

1 Samuel 11:14-15
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.

1 Samuel 15:34
Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 25:1
When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

2 Chronicles 19:5-7
He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Deuteronomy 16:18
You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.

Acts 13:20
All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.

Acts 13:21
Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.

Acts 3:24
Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have proclaimed these days.

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,


Treasury of Scripture

And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

1 Samuel 7:17
And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

in circuit [heb] and he circuited

Judges 5:10
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.

Judges 10:4
And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

Judges 12:14
And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

Jump to Previous
Annually Bethel Beth-El Circuit Israel Judged Judging Mizpah Mizpeh Places Round Turn Used
Jump to Next
Annually Bethel Beth-El Circuit Israel Judged Judging Mizpah Mizpeh Places Round Turn Used
1 Samuel 7
1. They of Kiriath Jearim bring the ark to Abinadab, and sanctify Eleazar as guard
2. After twenty years,
3. the Israelites, by Samuel's means, solemnly repent at Mizpeh
7. While Samuel prays and sacrifices,
10. the Lord thwarts the Philistines by thunder at Ebenezer
13. The Philistines are subdued
15. Samuel judges Israel














And year after year
This phrase emphasizes the consistency and faithfulness of Samuel's ministry. The Hebrew root for "year" is "שָׁנָה" (shanah), which signifies a complete cycle of time. Samuel's annual circuit reflects a disciplined commitment to his role as judge and leader. In a spiritual sense, this consistency is a model for believers, illustrating the importance of steadfastness in one's faith journey and responsibilities.

he would go on a circuit
The Hebrew word for "circuit" is "סָבַב" (sabab), meaning to go around or encircle. This indicates that Samuel's ministry was not stationary but dynamic and encompassing. He actively engaged with the people of Israel, ensuring that justice and God's word were accessible to all. This movement symbolizes the outreach aspect of ministry, where leaders are called to meet people where they are, rather than expecting them to come to a central location.

from Bethel
Bethel, meaning "House of God" in Hebrew, was a significant spiritual site in Israel's history. It was here that Jacob had his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:10-19). Samuel's inclusion of Bethel in his circuit underscores the importance of returning to foundational places of faith and encountering God. It serves as a reminder of the need to revisit and renew one's spiritual commitments.

to Gilgal
Gilgal holds historical significance as the first campsite of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 4:19-20). The name Gilgal is derived from the Hebrew "גִּלְגָּל" (gilgal), meaning "circle" or "rolling." It was here that the Israelites renewed their covenant with God. Samuel's visits to Gilgal highlight the importance of covenant renewal and remembrance of God's past deliverance and faithfulness.

to Mizpah
Mizpah, meaning "watchtower" in Hebrew, was a place of gathering and repentance for Israel (1 Samuel 7:5-6). It was here that Samuel led the people in a national revival. The inclusion of Mizpah in his circuit signifies the need for communal repentance and vigilance in spiritual matters. It serves as a call for believers to be watchful and ready to turn back to God.

judging Israel
The role of a judge in Israel was not merely judicial but also spiritual and administrative. The Hebrew word "שָׁפַט" (shaphat) means to govern or to render decisions. Samuel's judging was a holistic leadership that involved guiding the people according to God's laws and principles. This reflects the biblical model of leadership that integrates justice, wisdom, and spiritual oversight.

in all these places
This phrase indicates the comprehensive nature of Samuel's ministry. He did not limit his leadership to a single location but extended it throughout the land. This inclusivity is a reminder of the universal scope of God's kingdom, where every place and person is significant. It challenges believers to broaden their vision and reach in their service to God and others.

(16) To Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel.--These centres, it is observable, were all situated in the southern part of the land, in the tribe of Benjamin. This leads us to the conclusion that the power of Samuel, if not exclusively, was chiefly exercised among the southern tribes. The whole subsequent story of the chosen people seems to tell us that the religion of the Eternal at an early date became corrupted m the north of the Promised Land, and that the restoration of faith and purification of life--the result of the great work of Samuel--was so much less marked in the northern than in the southern tribes, that when the strong hand of Solomon was removed, a formal secession from the southern league at once took place. This was followed by a rapid deterioration both in faith and practice in the northern kingdom of Israel.

The places mentioned as the centres where Samuel "judged" were all holy sites, and at different periods of the year, no doubt, were crowded with pilgrims from distant parts of the land.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Every year
שָׁנָה֙ (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

he would go
וְהָלַ֗ךְ (wə·hā·laḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

on a circuit
וְסָבַב֙ (wə·sā·ḇaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

from
מִדֵּ֤י (mid·dê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough

Bethel
אֵ֔ל (’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah

to Gilgal
וְהַגִּלְגָּ֖ל (wə·hag·gil·gāl)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1537: Gilgal -- 'circle (of stones)', the name of several places in Palestine

to Mizpah,
וְהַמִּצְפָּ֑ה (wə·ham·miṣ·pāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4709: Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel

judging
וְשָׁפַט֙ (wə·šā·p̄aṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

in
אֵ֥ת (’êṯ)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

places.
הַמְּקוֹמ֖וֹת (ham·mə·qō·w·mō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition


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OT History: 1 Samuel 7:16 He went from year to year (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 7:15
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