King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:33 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:33 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.”

1 Samuel 15:33 · KJV

Context

31

So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.

32

Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

33

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

34

Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

35

And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Read 1 Samuel 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

Samuel's pronouncement - 'As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women' - applies lex talionis (measure-for-measure justice). Agag's violence against Israelite mothers returns upon his own. The execution phrase 'Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal' uses the Hebrew shasa ('hewed' or 'cut in pieces') indicating violent, complete destruction. Samuel completes the charam that Saul neglected. The prophet performs the royal duty the king refused.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase 'before the LORD' indicates this was a sacred execution, completing the holy war requirement. Gilgal's association with covenant renewal makes it fitting for this act of covenantal obedience. Samuel's violent action seems shocking but fulfilled divine command.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does measure-for-measure justice operate in divine judgment?
  2. What does Samuel's completion of Saul's neglected duty teach about prophetic responsibility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֧ל2 of 17

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 17
H834

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

תִּשְׁכַּ֥ל4 of 17

“be childless”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

מִנָּשִׁ֖ים5 of 17

“among women”

H802

a woman

חַרְבֶּ֔ךָ6 of 17

“As thy sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

כֵּן7 of 17
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

תִּשְׁכַּ֥ל8 of 17

“be childless”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

מִנָּשִׁ֖ים9 of 17

“among women”

H802

a woman

אִמֶּ֑ךָ10 of 17

“so shall thy mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

וַיְשַׁסֵּ֨ף11 of 17

“hewed”

H8158

to cut in pieces, i.e., slaughter

שְׁמוּאֵ֧ל12 of 17

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶת13 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲגָ֛ג14 of 17

“Agag”

H90

agag, a title of amalekitish kings

לִפְנֵ֥י15 of 17

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֖ה16 of 17

“the LORD”

H3068

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

בַּגִּלְגָּֽל׃17 of 17

“in Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

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 15:33 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 15:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 1:7Genesis 9:6Matthew 7:2Revelation 16:6Revelation 18:6James 2:13

Places in This Verse

Gilgal 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Mefjir · 31.88°N, 35.46°E33 verses across 7 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 15 →

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