1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height…”

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

World English Bible

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

American Standard Version

But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.

Geneva Bible 1599

But the Lord said vnto Samuel, Looke not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature, because I haue refused him: for God seeth not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord beholdeth the heart.

Darby Translation

But Jehovah said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him; for it is not as man seeth; for man looketh upon the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh upon the heart.

Young's Literal Translation

And Jehovah saith unto Samuel, 'Look not unto his appearance, and unto the height of his stature, for I have rejected him; for [it is] not as man seeth — for man looketh at the eyes, and Jehovah looketh at the heart.'

Bible in Basic English

But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not take note of his face or how tall he is, because I will not have him: for the Lord's view is not man's; man takes note of the outer form, but the Lord sees the heart.

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Cross references

“Look not”

Proverbs 31:30 1 Samuel 9:2 2 Samuel 14:25 1 Samuel 10:23 1 Samuel 10:24 Psalm 147:10

Proverbs 31:30 · BSB

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

1 Samuel 9:2 · BSB

And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

2 Samuel 14:25 · BSB

Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

1 Samuel 10:23 · BSB

So they ran and brought Saul, and when he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others.

1 Samuel 10:24 · BSB

Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

Psalm 147:10 · BSB

He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

“seeth not”

Luke 16:15 1 Peter 3:4 Job 10:4 1 Peter 2:4 Isaiah 55:8 Isaiah 55:9

Luke 16:15 · BSB

So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

1 Peter 3:4 · BSB

but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

Job 10:4 · BSB

Do You have eyes of flesh? Do You see as man sees?

1 Peter 2:4 · BSB

As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,

Isaiah 55:8 · BSB

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:9 · BSB

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

“looketh”

John 7:24 2 Corinthians 10:10 2 Corinthians 10:7

John 7:24 · BSB

Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”

2 Corinthians 10:10 · BSB

For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”

2 Corinthians 10:7 · BSB

You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.

“on the heart”

Jeremiah 17:10 Proverbs 16:2 1 Chronicles 28:9 1 Kings 8:39 Acts 1:24 2 Chronicles 16:9

Jeremiah 17:10 · BSB

I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Proverbs 16:2 · BSB

All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:9 · BSB

As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be fou…

1 Kings 8:39 · BSB

be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—

Acts 1:24 · BSB

And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

2 Chronicles 16:9 · BSB

For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be a…

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.”

8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

Read 1 Samuel 16