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

1 SAMUEL 7:16KJV
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1 Samuel 7:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 7:16 mean?

1 Samuel 7:16 describes how Samuel traveled each year in a regular route to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, serving as a judge for the people of Israel in each of those places. This verse shows Samuel’s commitment to leading and making decisions for the Israelites across different regions.

Samuel is the main figure here, acting as a judge and leader after the period of the judges but before Israel had a king. The verse highlights his practice of moving from place to place (“in circuit”) rather than staying in one location, so he could be accessible to more people. This traveling system helped ensure that justice and guidance were available to Israelites living in different areas.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 7:16

  • “Circuit” (סָבַב, savav): This word means to go around or make a circuit. It shows that Samuel didn’t just stay in one city but intentionally traveled a set route, making his leadership available to various communities.
  • “Judged” (שָׁפַט, shafat): This word means to govern, decide disputes, or lead. Samuel’s role was not just legal but also spiritual and communal, helping people resolve conflicts and follow God’s ways.
  • “Places” (מָקוֹם, maqom): This word means a physical location or place. The use of the plural here emphasizes that Samuel’s work covered multiple towns, not just a single center.

Why 1 Samuel 7:16 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Israel’s leadership was always centralized; instead, Samuel made leadership accessible by traveling to the people.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing Samuel’s dedication and the practical way he led Israel before the monarchy began.
  • The verse emphasizes fairness and presence, showing that Samuel did not favor one group or region but worked to serve all of Israel equally.

Where else these words appear

“Mizpeh” Hebrew H4709 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • 1 Samuel 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
  • Nehemiah 3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.

“from” Hebrew H1767 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
  • 1 Kings 14:28 And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
  • Isaiah 40:16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.

“Gilgal” Hebrew H1537 · used in 39 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • Joshua 14:6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
  • 1 Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

“Bethel” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
  • 2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.