1 Samuel 7:5
1 Samuel 7:5 in Multiple Translations
Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.”
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto Jehovah.
Then Samuel said, Let all Israel come to Mizpah and I will make prayer to the Lord for you.
Then Samuel said, “Have all the people of Israel gather at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.”
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you vnto the Lord.
and Samuel saith, 'Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I pray for you unto Jehovah.'
Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.”
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you to the LORD.
And Samuel said: Gather all Israel to Masphath, that I may pray to the Lord for you.
Then Samuel told them, “All you Israeli people must gather with me at Mizpah. Then I will pray to Yahweh for you.”
Then Samuel told them all, “Send messengers to every place. I want all the Israel mob to meet together at that place called Mizpah. Then I will pray to God for everybody there.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 7:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 7:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל
קִבְצ֥וּ
אֶת
כָּל
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
הַ/מִּצְפָּ֑תָ/ה
וְ/אֶתְפַּלֵּ֥ל
בַּעַדְ/כֶ֖ם
אֶל
יְהוָֽה
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
Shemuel
N-proper
קִבְצ֥וּ
qâbats
H6908
to gather
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
הַ/מִּצְפָּ֑תָ/ה
Mitspâh
H4709
Mizpah
Art | N-proper | Suff
וְ/אֶתְפַּלֵּ֥ל
pâlal
H6419
to pray
Conj | V-Hithpael-Imperf-1cs
בַּעַדְ/כֶ֖ם
bᵉʻad
H1157
about/through/for
Prep | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 7:5
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
"Shemuel"
N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
קִבְצ֥וּ
qâbats
H6908
"to gather"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Definition: 1) to gather, assemble 1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, gather 1b2) to be gathered 1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away 1d) (Pual) to be gathered together 1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 41:7.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
הַ/מִּצְפָּ֑תָ/ה
Mitspâh
H4709
"Mizpah"
Art | N-proper | Suff
Mitspah means watchtower, referring to a place in Palestine near Mount Hermon. It appears in the Bible as a location. The name is associated with a place of observation.
Definition: § Mizpah = "watchtower" a place near Mount Hermon
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: Mitspah. (This seems rather to be only an orthographic variation of H4708 (מִצְפֶּה) when 'in pause'.) See also: Genesis 31:49; 1 Samuel 10:17; Jeremiah 40:10.
וְ/אֶתְפַּלֵּ֥ל
pâlal
H6419
"to pray"
Conj | V-Hithpael-Imperf-1cs
To pray or intercede, as seen in the Bible when people like Moses and David prayed to God for guidance and help, often using this Hebrew word to describe their actions.
Definition: 1) to intervene, interpose, pray 1a) (Piel) to mediate, judge 1b)(Hithpael) 1b1) to intercede 1b2) to pray
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Chronicles 6:34; Psalms 5:3.
בַּעַדְ/כֶ֖ם
bᵉʻad
H1157
"about/through/for"
Prep | Suff
This word means about, through, or for something, often used to describe location or action. It can be translated as 'about', 'at', 'by', or 'through', depending on the context in which it is used.
Definition: 1) behind, through, round about, on behalf of, away from, about 1a) through (of action) 1b) behind (with verbs of shutting) 1c) about (with verbs of fencing) 1d) on behalf of (metaph. especially with Hithpael)
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: about, at by (means of), for, over, through, up (-on), within. See also: Genesis 7:16; 2 Chronicles 30:18; Psalms 3:4.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 7:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 7:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 7:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 7:5
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 7:5
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 7:5
Context — Samuel Subdues the Philistines
3Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
4So the Israelites put away the Baals and Ashtoreths and served only the LORD.
5Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.”
6When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah. 7When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the PhilistinesCross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 20:1 | Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 12:23 | As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way. |
| 3 | Joshua 15:38 | Dilan, Mizpeh, Joktheel, |
| 4 | Joel 2:16 | Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 9:1 | On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 7:16 | Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 25:23 | When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 10:17 | After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 7:12 | Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” |
1 Samuel 7:5 Summary
[In 1 Samuel 7:5, Samuel calls the Israelites to gather at Mizpah, a special place where they can worship and seek God's presence, and he offers to pray on their behalf, showing his role as a leader and mediator between God and His people. This verse reminds us of the importance of gathering with other believers to pray and seek God's guidance, as seen in Matthew 18:20. By coming together and seeking God's presence, we can experience His forgiveness and healing, just like the Israelites did. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can gather with others to seek God's presence and pray for one another, and how we can prepare our hearts for the Lord, just like the Israelites did in 1 Samuel 7:3.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of gathering at Mizpah in 1 Samuel 7:5?
Mizpah was a place of great spiritual significance for the Israelites, where they would often gather to worship and seek God's presence, as seen in Judges 20:1 and 1 Samuel 10:17, and Samuel's call to gather there indicates a desire to reconnect with God and seek His blessing.
Why did Samuel offer to pray on behalf of the Israelites in 1 Samuel 7:5?
As a prophet and leader, Samuel's prayer was a way of interceding for the people, seeking God's forgiveness and guidance, much like Moses did in Exodus 32:11-14, and his offer to pray on their behalf demonstrates his role as a mediator between God and His people.
How does this verse relate to the idea of corporate repentance?
The gathering at Mizpah and Samuel's prayer on their behalf illustrate the importance of collective repentance and seeking God's forgiveness, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God promises to heal the land if His people humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways.
What can we learn from Samuel's leadership in this verse?
Samuel's leadership in 1 Samuel 7:5 demonstrates his dependence on God and his desire to seek God's will, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are encouraged to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can gather with other believers to seek God's presence and pray for one another, like the Israelites did at Mizpah?
- How can I, like Samuel, offer to pray on behalf of others and seek God's guidance and forgiveness for them?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to prepare my heart for the Lord, as the Israelites did in 1 Samuel 7:3, and rid myself of foreign gods and idols?
- How can I, like the Israelites, confess my sins and acknowledge my dependence on God, as seen in 1 John 1:9?
- What can I learn from Samuel's example of leadership and his desire to seek God's will, and how can I apply that to my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 7:5
And Samuel said, gather all Israel to Mizpeh,.... Not Mizpeh in Gilead, on the other side Jordan, but a city which lay on the borders of Judah and Benjamin, where the tribes met on the account of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 7:5
Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
1 Samuel 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.Ver. 5. Gather all Israel to Mizpeh.] Heb., In that Mizpeh; famous formerly for the slaughter of those kings of Canaan there, but henceforth more famous for this memorable meet at Mizpeh; which they turned into a Bacha, and God afterwards turned into a Beracha. Kimchi. Vatab.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
(5) Mizpeh.—Or, as it should be spelt, Mizpah, a common name for lofty situations. It signifies a “watch-tower,” a place where an outlook could be kept against an advancing enemy. Now the assembly of the tribes at Mizpeh marked a new departure for Israel. It was the result of more than twenty years of toil undertaken by the greatest reformer and statesman the chosen race ever knew. The great gathering belonged both to religion and to war. Its first object was solemnly to assure the Lord that the heart of His people, so long estranged from Him, was again His. Its second was to implore that Jehovah might again restore a repentant and sorrowful people to the land of their inheritance. What more likely than that the prophet-statesman—who in that solemn juncture represented priest and judge and seer to Israel—devised on that momentous day new symbolic rites, signifying Israel’s new dedication to the Eternal for the future, Israel’s repentance for the sad past? The solemn pouring out of water before the Lord symbolised, to a people trained so carefully to watch the meaning and signification of symbols and imagery, the heart and whole inner life poured out before the Lord; the fasting represented the repentant humble sinner bowed down in grief before the one true God. Is it not at least probable that the strange, mysterious custom which we hear of in after days—the high priest filling the golden vessel with the waters of Siloam, and then pouring it out silently before the Lord—was the record of one of the holiest memories of the people—their reconciliation with their God-Friend at Mizpeh?
Now, after years of estrangement, they repented and were forgiven. The fasting of Mizpeh being a favourite practice, ever much observed by the worshippers in the Temple and synagogue, needed no special record or reminder.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
Verse 5. Gather all Israel to Mizpeh] This appears to have been an armed assembly, though probably collected principally for religious and political purposes; but Samuel knew that an unarmed multitude could not safely be convened in the vicinity of the Philistines.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 7:5
5. to Mizpeh] Mizpah, (in Heb. always with the definite article, as retaining its meaning, “the watch-tower,”) was the meeting-place of the national assembly on two other important occasions in this period: (a) when war was declared against Benjamin (Judges 20); (b) when Saul was elected king (ch. 1 Samuel 10:17); and (c) once in later times, on an occasion not unlike the present, when Judas Maccabaeus mustered Israel to revolt against the tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes (1Ma 3:42-46). It belonged to the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:26). Its site has not been identified, but is conjectured to be either (a) Neby Samwξl, a conspicuous hill rising to the height of 2935 ft., about 5 miles N.W. of Jerusalem: or (b) Scopus, the broad ridge immediately north of Jerusalem. In favour of the latter site are (a) the similarity of the name (σκόπος = watchman): (b) the description of the place in 1Ma 3:46 as “over against Jerusalem.” It must be carefully distinguished from Mizpah in Gilead (Judges 10:17; Judges 11:11). I will pray for you unto the Lord] Other instances of Samuel’s prayers are mentioned in 1 Samuel 8:6, 1 Samuel 12:17-19; 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Samuel 15:11. He is quoted as the type of successful intercessors in Psalms 99:6; Jeremiah 15:1.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5
5. Mizpeh — A city of Benjamin, (Joshua 18:26,) principally celebrated for the events recorded in this chapter, and for the inauguration of Saul. 1 Samuel 10:17.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 7:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Sin of Prayerlessness by Raymond Beasley | In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing gratitude for the audience's attention and asks how many couples are present. He emphasizes the need for a strong anchor in the fa |
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Prayer by Hugh Morrison | This sermon emphasizes the importance of giving attention to prayer in ministry, highlighting the example of the early church in Acts chapter 6. It challenges listeners to adjust t |
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Ebenezer - Part 2 by Ric Vargas | Ric Vargas emphasizes the journey of spiritual development and maturity, using the concept of Ebenezer as a reminder that God can lead us from a place of struggle to a place of est |
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The Sin of Not Praying for Others by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the critical duty of praying for others, illustrating that neglecting this responsibility is a sin against God. He reflects on Samuel's commitment to interce |
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Prayer--Its Possibilities (Continued) 1 by E.M. Bounds | E.M. Bounds emphasizes the immense possibilities of prayer, illustrating its necessity and power through biblical examples, particularly the prayers of Solomon, Samuel, and Jacob. |
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Commentary Notes - I Samuel by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches on the Book of I Samuel, highlighting the transition of Israel from a theocracy to a monarchy through the rise and fall of King Saul. The key theme of the |
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Prayer by W.H. Griffith Thomas | W.H. Griffith Thomas emphasizes the importance of prayer as the pure atmosphere necessary for a healthy spiritual life, just like food is essential for the body. He delves into the |