1 Samuel 8:16
1 Samuel 8:16 in Multiple Translations
And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.
And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
He will take your men-servants and your servant-girls, and the best of your oxen and your asses and put them to his work.
He will take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men and your donkeys, and make them work for him.
And he will take your men seruants, and your maide seruants, and the chiefe of your yong men, and your asses, and put them to his worke.
And your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your young men — the best, and your asses, he doth take, and hath prepared for his own work;
He will take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work.
And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your most choice young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
Your servants also and handmaids, and your goodliest young men, and your asses he will take away, and put them to his work.
He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 8:16
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 8:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶת
עַבְדֵי/כֶם֩
וְֽ/אֶת
שִׁפְח֨וֹתֵי/כֶ֜ם
וְ/אֶת
בַּחוּרֵי/כֶ֧ם
הַ/טּוֹבִ֛ים
וְ/אֶת
חֲמוֹרֵי/כֶ֖ם
יִקָּ֑ח
וְ/עָשָׂ֖ה
לִ/מְלַאכְתּֽ/וֹ
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
עַבְדֵי/כֶם֩
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp | Suff
וְֽ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
שִׁפְח֨וֹתֵי/כֶ֜ם
shiphchâh
H8198
maidservant
N-fp | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
בַּחוּרֵי/כֶ֧ם
bâchûwr
H970
youth
N-mp | Suff
הַ/טּוֹבִ֛ים
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Art | Adj
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
חֲמוֹרֵי/כֶ֖ם
chămôwr
H2543
donkey
N-cp | Suff
יִקָּ֑ח
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/עָשָׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
לִ/מְלַאכְתּֽ/וֹ
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 8:16
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עַבְדֵי/כֶם֩
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp | Suff
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.
וְֽ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שִׁפְח֨וֹתֵי/כֶ֜ם
shiphchâh
H8198
"maidservant"
N-fp | Suff
A shiphchah was a female slave or servant in a household, often belonging to a mistress. This term is used to describe a lowly position, and is sometimes used as a term of humility or respect.
Definition: 1) maid, maid-servant, slavegirl 1a) maid, maid-servant (as belonging to a mistress) 1b) of address, speaker, humility (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. See also: Genesis 12:16; Ruth 2:13; Psalms 123:2.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בַּחוּרֵי/כֶ֧ם
bâchûwr
H970
"youth"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a young person, often a chosen or select individual, like a young man in his prime. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of young soldiers. The term emphasizes the idea of being selected or set apart.
Definition: youth, young man
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: (choice) young (man), chosen, [idiom] hole. See also: Deuteronomy 32:25; Jeremiah 18:21; Psalms 78:31.
הַ/טּוֹבִ֛ים
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
חֲמוֹרֵי/כֶ֖ם
chămôwr
H2543
"donkey"
N-cp | Suff
The Hebrew word for a male donkey, it is translated as he ass in the KJV Bible. The name comes from the animal's reddish-brown color.
Definition: (he) ass
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: (he) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:4; Proverbs 26:3.
יִקָּ֑ח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
וְ/עָשָׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לִ/מְלַאכְתּֽ/וֹ
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 8:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 8:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 8:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 8:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:16
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:16
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 8:16
Context — Samuel’s Warning
14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants.
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.”1 Samuel 8:16 Summary
This verse means that if the Israelites choose a king, he will have complete control over their lives, taking their servants, animals, and resources for himself. This is a warning about the dangers of giving too much power to one person, as it can lead to a form of slavery, similar to what is described in Exodus 1:14. The Bible teaches that our ultimate authority should be God, not human leaders (Psalm 146:3-5). By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can avoid the pitfalls of earthly power struggles and find true freedom in Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the king to take the Israelites' menservants and maidservants?
This means the king will have control over the people's lives, forcing them to work against their will, much like the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, as described in Exodus 1:14.
How does this verse relate to the concept of slavery in the Bible?
The Bible condemns forced slavery, as seen in Exodus 21:16, and this verse highlights the dangers of giving too much power to a human ruler, leading to a form of slavery.
Is this verse talking about a specific king or a general warning about monarchy?
This verse is a warning about the dangers of monarchy in general, but it is also specifically fulfilled in the kings of Israel, as seen in the later books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
What is the significance of the king taking the best cattle and donkeys?
The king taking the best cattle and donkeys symbolizes the way he will take control of the Israelites' resources and wealth, leaving them with little, much like the warning in Deuteronomy 17:17 about a king accumulating wealth and horses.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I might be giving too much control to earthly authorities in my life, and how can I submit to God's authority instead?
- How can I balance the need for human leadership with the danger of giving too much power to one person, as warned in this verse?
- In what ways do I see the consequences of Samuel's warning playing out in my own life or in the world around me?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty rather than relying on human leaders?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 8:16
And he will take your manservants, and your maidservants,.... Into his own family, for his own use and service, if he wants them, or likes them better than what he has: and your goodliest young men:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 8:16
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 8:16
By constraint, and without sufficient recompense
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:16
1 Samuel 8:16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put [them] to his work.Ver. 16. And he will take your men-servants.] Nero’ s word to his officers was, Hoc agamus nequis quicquam habebat. Make the slaves know that they can call nothing at all their own. Sueton.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:16
(16) And your goodliest young men.—The LXX. Greek Version here reads, “your best oxen,” which required only the change of one letter of similar sound in the Hebrew word here. This was, no doubt,. the reading of the original text, as the young men seem included among the sons in 1 Samuel 8:11-12, and oxen would naturally precede the asses mentioned in the next clause of this verse.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 8:16
16. your goodliest young men] “Young men” in the Heb. appears to be a copyist’s error, and we should probably adopt the Sept. reading “cattle.” Men-servants and maid-servants, cattle and asses, are then coupled together naturally. Cp. Exodus 20:17.