King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 11:7 Mean?

1 Samuel 11:7 in the King James Version says “And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. with: Heb. as one man

1 Samuel 11:7 · King James Version


Context

5

And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

6

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

7

And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. with: Heb. as one man

8

And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

9

And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead , To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. help: or, deliverance


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

Saul's dramatic action of cutting the oxen in pieces and sending them throughout Israel served as a vivid summons to war and a solemn warning of consequences for non-compliance. The phrase 'the fear of the LORD fell on the people' indicates this was no mere human manipulation but divine intervention compelling response. The 'one consent' (echad - one, unity) marks a rare moment of tribal solidarity that prefigures what unified kingdom could accomplish. Saul associates Samuel with the summons, acknowledging prophetic authority alongside royal power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This symbolic action parallels the horrific events of Judges 19:29, where a Levite's concubine was dismembered to summon Israel against Benjamin. Saul transforms this gruesome precedent into legitimate royal authority to muster troops. Ancient Near Eastern suzerains commonly sent symbolic threats to enforce vassal compliance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does fear of the LORD produce unity among God's people?
  2. What role should healthy fear play in motivating obedience to divine commands?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיִּקַּח֩1 of 29

And he took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

צֶ֨מֶד2 of 29

a yoke

H6776

a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)

לִבְקָר֑וֹ3 of 29

of oxen

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וַֽיְנַתְּחֵ֗הוּ4 of 29

and hewed them in pieces

H5408

to dismember

וַיְשַׁלַּ֞ח5 of 29

and sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בְּכָל6 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גְּב֣וּל7 of 29

them throughout all the coasts

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮8 of 29

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּיַ֣ד9 of 29

by the hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַמַּלְאָכִ֣ים׀10 of 29

of messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

לֵאמֹר֒11 of 29

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲשֶׁר֩12 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֵינֶ֨נּוּ13 of 29
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ14 of 29

Whosoever cometh not forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְאַחַ֣ר15 of 29

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שָׁאוּל֙16 of 29

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וְאַחַ֣ר17 of 29

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל18 of 29

Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

כֹּ֥ה19 of 29
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יֵֽעָשֶׂ֖ה20 of 29

so shall it be done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִבְקָר֑וֹ21 of 29

of oxen

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וַיִּפֹּ֤ל22 of 29

fell

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

פַּֽחַד23 of 29

And the fear

H6343

a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)

יְהוָה֙24 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל25 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָעָ֔ם26 of 29

on the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ27 of 29

Whosoever cometh not forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

כְּאִ֥ישׁ28 of 29

consent

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶחָֽד׃29 of 29

with one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 11:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 11:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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