And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

1 SAMUEL 15:27KJV
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1 Samuel 15:27 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 15:27 mean?

1 Samuel 15:27 describes how, as the prophet Samuel turned to leave, King Saul grabbed the edge of Samuel’s robe, and the robe tore. This moment is a physical sign that something important is breaking or being separated between Saul and God’s prophet.

Samuel is confronting Saul after Saul disobeyed God’s command regarding the Amalekites. As Samuel turns away, Saul desperately reaches out and grabs the edge of Samuel’s mantle—a special outer garment—tearing it in the process. This act becomes a symbol in the next verse, where Samuel explains that just as the robe tore, God is tearing the kingdom away from Saul.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 15:27

  • mantle (מְעִיל, meʿil): This word refers to a distinctive outer garment, often worn by prophets or people of status. The tearing of the mantle is not just about clothing but about authority and position.
  • skirt (כָּנָף, kanaph): This word means the edge or corner of a garment. Grabbing the "skirt" shows Saul’s desperation to hold onto Samuel, and by extension, his position and favor.
  • rent (קָרַע, qaraʿ): This verb means to tear or rip apart. The physical act of tearing is a strong visual symbol of division or loss.

Why 1 Samuel 15:27 matters

  • The tearing of the mantle is not just an accident; it becomes a powerful symbol in the story, showing that Saul’s hold on the kingdom is being broken.
  • This verse sets up the explanation in the next verse, where Samuel uses the torn garment as a sign that God is removing Saul from being king.
  • Understanding the cultural meaning of garments and their edges in ancient Israel helps readers see why this small action carried such weight in the story.

Where else these words appear

“mantle” Hebrew H4598 · used in 27 verses

  • Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
  • Exodus 39:26 A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Ezra 9:3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.

“rent” Hebrew H7167 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 37:29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
  • 1 Kings 11:12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

“skirt” Hebrew H3671 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Job 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
  • Ezekiel 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.