1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, "Come, let us go to the seer." For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)

◄ 1 Samuel 9:9 ►

New International Version
(Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)

New Living Translation
(In those days if people wanted a message from God, they would say, “Let’s go and ask the seer,” for prophets used to be called seers.)

English Standard Version
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today’s “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)

Berean Standard Bible
(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)

King James Bible
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

New King James Version
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer”; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)

New American Standard Bible
(Previously in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let’s go to the seer”; for he who is called a prophet now was previously called a seer.)

NASB 1995
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let us go to the seer"; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.)

NASB 1977
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let us go to the seer”; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.)

Legacy Standard Bible
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let us go to the seer”; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.)

Amplified Bible
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, “Come, let us go to the seer”; for he who is called a prophet today was formerly called a seer.)

Christian Standard Bible
Formerly in Israel, a man who was going to inquire of God would say, “Come, let’s go to the seer,” for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Formerly in Israel, a man who was going to inquire of God would say, “Come, let’s go to the seer,” for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.

American Standard Version
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

English Revised Version
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(Formerly in Israel, when a person went to ask God [a question], he would say, "Come, let's go to the seer," because a person we now call a prophet used to be called a seer.)

International Standard Version
(Previously in Israel, a person would say when he went to inquire of God, "Come on! Let's go to the seer!" because the person known as a prophet today was formerly called a seer.)

Majority Standard Bible
(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)

NET Bible
(Now it used to be in Israel that whenever someone went to inquire of God he would say, "Come on, let's go to the seer." For today's prophet used to be called a seer.)

New Heart English Bible
(In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, "Come, and let us go to the seer"; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)

Webster's Bible Translation
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was formerly called a Seer.)

World English Bible
(In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come! Let’s go to the seer;” for he who is now called a prophet was before called a seer.)

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Formerly in Israel, thus said the man in his going to seek God: “Come and we go to the seer.” For the “prophet” of today is formerly called “the seer.”

Young's Literal Translation
Formerly in Israel, thus said the man in his going to seek God, 'Come and we go unto the seer,' for the 'prophet' of to-day is called formerly 'the seer.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Before in Israel thus said the man in his going to inquire of God, Come, and we will go even to him seeing, for a prophet this day he will be called; before him seeing.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now in time past, in Israel when a man went to consult God he spoke thus: Come, let us go to the seer. For he that is now called a prophet, in time past was called a seer.

Catholic Public Domain Version
(In past times, in Israel, anyone going to consult God would speak in this way, “Come, and let us go to the seer.” For one who is called a prophet today, in past times was called a seer.)

New American Bible
(In former times in Israel, anyone who went to consult God used to say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the one who is now called prophet was formerly called seer.)

New Revised Standard Version
(Formerly in Israel, anyone who went to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer”; for the one who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
(Because formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come, let us go to the seer; for he who is now called a prophet, before was called a seer.)

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because from the first in Israel, thus had a man said whenever he was going to inquire from God: “Come, let us go unto the Seer”, because a Prophet of today in former times was called a Seer

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said: 'Come and let us go to the seer'; for he that is now called a prophet was beforetime called a seer.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now before time in Israel every one in going to enquire of God said, Come and let us go to the seer; for the people beforetime called the prophet, the seer.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Saul Chosen as King
…8The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.” 9(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.) 10“Good,” said Saul to his servant. “Come, let us go.” So they set out for the city where the man of God was.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 22:7-8
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” / The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

2 Kings 3:11
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

2 Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.

2 Chronicles 18:6-7
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” / The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

2 Chronicles 34:22
So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Jeremiah 21:2
“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

Jeremiah 37:17
Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

Ezekiel 14:1-4
Then some of the elders of Israel came and sat down before me. / And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way? ...

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Matthew 11:9
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Matthew 17:5
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Mark 6:15
Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”

Luke 1:70
as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,

Luke 7:26
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Treasury of Scripture

(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

enquire

Genesis 25:22
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.

Judges 1:1
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?

a Seer

2 Samuel 24:11
For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,

2 Kings 17:13
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

1 Chronicles 26:28
And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.

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Beforetime Counsel Directions Earlier Inquire Israel Past Prophet Seek Seer Times Today To-Day Used

1 Samuel 9

1. Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys
6. by the counsel of his servant
11. and direction of young maidens
15. according to God's revelation
18. comes to Samuel
19. Samuel entertains Saul at the feast
25. Samuel, after secret communication, brings Saul on his way

Berean Study Bible

Formerly in Israel
This phrase sets the historical context, indicating a past tradition in Israel. The Hebrew word for "formerly" is "לְפָנִים" (lefaním), which means "before" or "in the past." This suggests a time when the practices and terminologies were different, highlighting the evolving nature of religious practices and language in Israel's history.

when a man went to inquire of God
The act of inquiring of God reflects a deep-seated tradition of seeking divine guidance. The Hebrew root "דָּרַשׁ" (darash) means "to seek" or "to inquire." This underscores the importance of seeking God's will and wisdom, a practice that remains central to the faith journey of believers today.

he would say, 'Come, let us go to the seer,'
The term "seer" is translated from the Hebrew word "רֹאֶה" (ro'eh), which means "one who sees." This indicates a person with the ability to perceive divine revelations or visions. The invitation "Come, let us go" suggests a communal approach to seeking divine insight, emphasizing the collective nature of worship and inquiry in ancient Israel.

for the prophet of today
The word "prophet" comes from the Hebrew "נָבִיא" (navi), which means "spokesperson" or "one who is called." This highlights the role of prophets as God's messengers, tasked with conveying His words to the people. The transition from "seer" to "prophet" reflects a shift in how these individuals were perceived and their roles understood.

was formerly called the seer
This phrase reiterates the change in terminology from "seer" to "prophet." It suggests a development in the understanding and function of these spiritual leaders. The continuity of divine communication, despite changes in terminology, reassures believers of God's unchanging nature and His ongoing desire to guide His people.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Beforetime in Israel.--This verse was evidently inserted in the original book of memoirs of the days of Samuel by a later hand. Three special words are found in the Divine writings for the inspired messengers or interpreters of the Eternal wilt; of these, the title seer (roeh) was the most ancient. It is the title, evidently, by which Samuel in his lifetime was generally known. "Is the seer here?" we read in this passage; and "Where is the seer's house?" and "I am the seer." As time passed on, the term, in the sense of an inspired man of God, became obsolete, and the word chozeh, "a gazer." on strange visions, seemed to have been the word used for one inspired. The title nabi--prophet--began to come into common use in the time of Samuel, to whom the term is not unfrequently applied. The word nabi, or prophet, is found in nearly all the Old Testament books, from Genesis to Malachi, though rarely in the earlier writings. This note was inserted by some scribe who lived comparatively later (perhaps in the time of Ezra), but who must have been a reviser of the sacred text of very high authority, as this "note" has come down to us as an integral part of the received Hebrew text. The reason of the insertion is obvious. The title roeh--seer--as time passed on, no longer belonged exclusively to "a man of God." The scribe who put in this expression was desirous of pointing out that when Samuel lived it was the word always used for a prophet of the Lord. In those early days it had not deteriorated in meaning.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Beforetime, etc. This verse is evidently a gloss, written originally by some later hand in the margin, in order to explain the word used for seer in vers. 11, 18, 19. Inserted here in the text it interrupts the narrative, and is itself somewhat incomprehensible. The Septuagint offers a very probable reading, namely, "for the people in old time used to call the prophet a seer," i.e. it was a word used chiefly by the common people. Prophet, nabi, is really the older and established word from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end. The word roeh, used in this place for seer, is comparatively rare, as a popular word would be in written compositions. It refers to that which is seen by the ordinary sight, to waking vision (see on 1 Samuel 3:1, 10), whereas the other word for seer, chozeh, refers to ecstatic vision. Roeh is used by Isaiah, ch. Isaiah 30:10, apparently in much the same sense as here, of those whom the people consulted in their difficulties, and they might be true prophets as Samuel was, or mere pretenders to occult powers. The present narrative makes it plain that roeh was used in a good sense in Samuel's days; but gradually it became degraded, and while chozeh became the respectful word for a prophet, roeh became the contrary. Another conclusion also follows. We have seen that there are various indications that the Books of Samuel in their present state are later than his days. Here, on the contrary, we have a narrative couched in the very language of his times; for the writer of the gloss contained in this verse was displeased at Samuel being called a roeh, but did not dare to alter it, though taking care to note that it was equivalent in those days to calling him a nabi.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

(Formerly
לְפָנִ֣ים ׀ (lə·p̄ā·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

in Israel,
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

a man
הָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

on his way
בְּלֶכְתּוֹ֙ (bə·leḵ·tōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to inquire
לִדְר֣וֹשׁ (liḏ·rō·wōš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

of God
אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

would say,
אָמַ֤ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Come,
לְכ֥וּ (lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

let us go
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה (wə·nê·lə·ḵāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the seer,”
הָרֹאֶ֑ה (hā·rō·’eh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7203: A seer, a vision

for
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the prophet
לַנָּבִיא֙ (lan·nā·ḇî)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

of today
הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

was formerly
לְפָנִ֖ים (lə·p̄ā·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

called
יִקָּרֵ֥א (yiq·qā·rê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

the seer.)
הָרֹאֶֽה׃ (hā·rō·’eh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7203: A seer, a vision

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OT History: 1 Samuel 9:9 In earlier times in Israel when (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)