1 Samuel 8:17
1 Samuel 8:17 in Multiple Translations
He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.
He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants.
He will take a tenth of your sheep: and you will be his servants.
He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will be his slaves.
He will take the tenth of your sheepe, and ye shall be his seruants.
your flock he doth tithe, and ye are to him for servants.
He will take one tenth of your flocks; and you will be his servants.
He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye will be his servants.
Your flocks also he will tithe, and you shall be his servants.
He will take one tenth of your sheep and goats. And you will become his slaves!
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 8:17
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 8:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
צֹאנְ/כֶ֖ם
יַעְשֹׂ֑ר
וְ/אַתֶּ֖ם
תִּֽהְיוּ
ל֥/וֹ
לַ/עֲבָדִֽים
צֹאנְ/כֶ֖ם
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
N-cs | Suff
יַעְשֹׂ֑ר
ʻâsar
H6237
to tithe
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/אַתֶּ֖ם
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
תִּֽהְיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
ל֥/וֹ
Prep | Suff
לַ/עֲבָדִֽים
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 8:17
צֹאנְ/כֶ֖ם
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
N-cs | Suff
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
יַעְשֹׂ֑ר
ʻâsar
H6237
"to tithe"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to give or take a tenth, often in the context of tithing or giving to God, as instructed in Leviticus 27:30-32. It is translated as 'to tithe' or 'give a tithe' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to tithe, take the tenth part of, give a tithe, take a tithe 1a) (Qal) to tithe 1b) (Piel) to give a tithe 1c) (Hiphil) to take a tithe
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] surely, give (take) the tenth, (have, take) tithe(-ing, -s), [idiom] truly. See also: Genesis 28:22; 1 Samuel 8:15; Nehemiah 10:39.
וְ/אַתֶּ֖ם
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
תִּֽהְיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
ל֥/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
לַ/עֲבָדִֽים
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 8:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 8:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 8:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 8:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:17
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:17
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 8:17
Context — Samuel’s Warning
15He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.
16And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.
17He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.
18When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.” 19Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.1 Samuel 8:17 Summary
This verse is warning the Israelites that if they choose a human king, they will lose their freedom and become slaves to the king's demands, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:17. The king will take control of their livestock and use it for his own purposes, similar to how God instructed the Israelites to give a tenth of their produce to Him in Deuteronomy 14:22-23. This is a reminder to us today to prioritize God's will and leadership in our lives, rather than relying solely on human authority, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can avoid becoming enslaved to worldly power structures and instead live in freedom and obedience to Him, as stated in Galatians 5:1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the king will take a tenth of our flocks?
This means the king will take control of a significant portion of the people's livestock, which was a vital part of their livelihood, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:17, and use it for his own purposes, similar to how God instructed the Israelites to give a tenth of their produce to Him in Deuteronomy 14:22-23.
Why does the Bible say we will become the king's slaves?
This is a warning that when we submit to human authority without consulting God, we can become enslaved to their will, rather than being free in Christ, as stated in Galatians 5:1, and this is a consequence of rejecting God's leadership, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:7.
Is this verse talking about a specific king or all kings?
While this verse is addressed to the Israelites in the context of their desire for a human king, the principle applies to any situation where we prioritize human authority over God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 2:1-4, and it serves as a reminder to trust in God's leadership, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse reminds us that when we prioritize worldly power structures over God's will, we risk losing our freedom and autonomy, as warned in 1 Samuel 8:18, and it encourages us to seek God's guidance and leadership in all aspects of our lives, as instructed in Jeremiah 29:13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be prioritizing human authority over God's sovereignty?
- How can I balance my respect for human leaders with my submission to God's will?
- What are some warning signs that I may be becoming 'enslaved' to someone or something other than God?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's leadership and provision in my life?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 8:17
He will take the tenth of your sheep,.... As well as of their seed and vineyards; and not the tithe of their flocks only, but of their herds also, which are here included, as Kimchi observes: and ye
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 8:17
And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:17
i.e. He shall use you like slaves, and deprive you of that liberty which you now enjoy.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:17
1 Samuel 8:17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.Ver. 17. And ye shall be his servants.] His slaves to do his drudgery, more like peasants of France than yeomen of Kent, as he said.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:17
(17) And ye shall be his servants.—This statement generally includes all that has gone before. In other words, “Ye elders and chiefs of the people must make up your minds, in the event of electing a king, to the loss of all political and social freedom.” How bitterly the nation, even in the successful and glorious reign of King Solomon, felt the pressure of the royal yoke, so truly foretold by their last judge, is shown in the history of the times which followed the death of Solomon, when the public discontent at the brilliant but despotic rule of the great king led to the revolution which split up the people into two nations. (See 1 Kings 12:4.) “This whole passage bears internal evidence of having been written before the establishment of the monarchy.”—Speaker’s Commentary.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 8:17
17. and ye shall be his servants] To sum up all briefly, ye will be slaves to the king ye have chosen.