And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

1 SAMUEL 7:9KJV
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1 Samuel 7:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 7:9 mean?

1 Samuel 7:9 describes how Samuel took a young lamb that was still nursing and offered it as a complete burnt offering to the LORD, then cried out in prayer for Israel, and the LORD answered him. This verse shows Samuel acting as a mediator for the people, seeking God’s help through sacrifice and prayer.

Samuel, the prophet and judge, is leading Israel in a time of crisis as they face threats from the Philistines. By offering a "sucking lamb" (a very young lamb) and making a burnt offering "wholly unto the LORD," Samuel is following the worship practices of his time, showing total devotion. His prayer and God’s response highlight the relationship between Israel and God, especially when Israel turns back to Him.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 7:9

  • חָלָב (chalav, "sucking"): This word refers to a lamb that is still nursing, emphasizing the innocence and purity of the sacrifice Samuel offered. It suggests the offering was costly and precious, not just any animal.
  • עֹלָה (olah, "burnt offering"): This term means a sacrifice that is completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total surrender to God. The use of "wholly" (כָּלִיל, kalil) in the verse underlines that nothing was held back from God.
  • זָעַק (za'aq, "cried"): This word means to cry out or call for help, showing the intensity and urgency of Samuel’s prayer on behalf of Israel.

Why 1 Samuel 7:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Samuel’s leadership involved both ritual sacrifice and heartfelt prayer, not just one or the other.
  • It emphasizes that God’s response came after both the offering and Samuel’s earnest prayer, highlighting the importance of both actions in Israel’s relationship with God.
  • This verse connects to the wider story where Israel is turning back to God after a period of spiritual wandering, showing a moment of restored trust and divine help.

Where else these words appear

“lamb” Hebrew H2924 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

“wholly” Hebrew H3632 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
  • Numbers 4:6 And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
  • Isaiah 2:18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish.

“sucking” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 11:9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“cried” Hebrew H2199 · used in 73 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
  • Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.