King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 7:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 7:6 in the King James Version says “And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and sai...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.”

1 Samuel 7:6 · KJV

Context

4

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

5

And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.

6

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

7

And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

8

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. Cease: Heb. Be not silent from us from crying

Read 1 Samuel 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

The assembly at Mizpeh featured three acts of penitence. First, water-pouring ('sha'av mayim') - a ritual otherwise unattested in Scripture, perhaps symbolizing the pouring out of their hearts (compare Lamentations 2:19) or tears of repentance. Second, fasting - abstaining from food to focus wholly on spiritual matters and demonstrate the seriousness of their contrition. Third, public confession - 'We have sinned against the LORD' - corporate acknowledgment of covenant violation. These combined acts expressed Israel's genuine brokenness. The final note that 'Samuel judged the children of Israel' indicates he assumed formal leadership, settling disputes and establishing righteous governance. The transition from chaotic judges to prophetic leadership begins here. Mizpeh becomes the birthplace of Israel's renewal under Samuel's guidance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Water-pouring rituals appear in later Jewish tradition during Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Some scholars connect this practice to rain prayers or covenant renewal ceremonies. Fasting as corporate repentance appears throughout Scripture (Judges 20:26; Joel 2:12). Samuel's judging likely involved both civil administration and spiritual leadership.

Reflection Questions

  1. What rituals or practices help you express genuine repentance before God?
  2. How does public confession of sin contribute to corporate spiritual renewal?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּקָּֽבְצ֣וּ1 of 20

“And they gathered together”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

בַּמִּצְפָּֽה׃2 of 20

“to Mizpeh”

H4709

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

וַיִּֽשְׁאֲבוּ3 of 20

“and drew”

H7579

to bale up water

מַ֜יִם4 of 20

“water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַֽיִּשְׁפְּכ֣וּ׀5 of 20

“and poured it out”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

לִפְנֵ֣י6 of 20

“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

לַֽיהוָ֑ה7 of 20

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיָּצ֙וּמוּ֙8 of 20

“and fasted”

H6684

to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast

בַּיּ֣וֹם9 of 20

“on that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא10 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ11 of 20

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁ֔ם12 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

חָטָ֖אנוּ13 of 20

“there We have sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לַֽיהוָ֑ה14 of 20

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֧ט15 of 20

“judged”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

שְׁמוּאֵ֛ל16 of 20

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶת17 of 20
H853

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

בְּנֵ֥י18 of 20

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל19 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

בַּמִּצְפָּֽה׃20 of 20

“to Mizpeh”

H4709

mitspah, the name of two 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 7:6 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 7:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 1:152 Samuel 14:14Judges 10:10Psalms 106:6Joel 2:12Jeremiah 9:1

Places in This Verse

Mizpah 3Settlement · Modern: Tell en Nasbeh · 31.89°N, 35.22°E32 verses across 7 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 7 →

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