Keraia
1 Samuel 1

1 Samuel 1:3

Elkanah and His Wives · 1 Samuel 1:1–8
Read 1 Samuel 1

Translations

Modern
Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD.
Traditional
And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
Literal
And that man went up from his city from days to days to bow and sacrifice to YHWH of Hosts in Shiloh. And were there the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of YHWH.
Latin
Et ascendebat vir ille de civitate sua statutis diebus, ut adoraret et sacrificaret Domino exercituum in Silo. Erant autem ibi duo filii Heli, Ophni et Phinees, sacerdotes Domini.

Original

Hebrew
English
Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD.

Notes

1 Samuel 1:3

  • Elkanah made this trip every year because the law required people to attend three festivals a year (Exodus 23:14–17).

  • According to God's law, Israelites had to sacrifice at God's chosen sanctuary (Deuteronomy 12:1–28). From the time of Joshua to Samuel, God's sanctuary, the tabernacle, was in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1). Shiloh was a town in Ephraim about 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) north of Bethel on the way to Shechem. King David later moved the tabernacle to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6).

  • the LORD of Hosts: In the Hebrew Old Testament, God is often called Yahweh Tseba’oth or ’Elohim Tseba’oth. These titles are traditionally translated as “Lord of hosts” and “God of hosts.”

    The term “hosts” (Hebrew tseba’oth, traditionally “sabaoth”) usually means “armies.” It can refer to human armies, like the armies of Israel (for example, 1 Samuel 17:45). I can also refer to foreign armies sent to carry out the Lord’s plans (for example, Isaiah 9:11–13). However, it most often refers to God's armies of angels sent from heaven to carry out his commands and fight on earth (for example, 2 Kings 6:17).

    This title highlights God's role as a powerful warrior in the story involving the ark of the covenant and the Philistines (1 Samuel 4–6).

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Infertility The Priestly Blessing

Parallels

Psalm 113:1–9

People

Eli: High priest and judge of Israel at Shiloh Hophni: A corrupt priest, son of Eli LORD: Names or title used to refer to God Phinehas: Wicked son of Eli the priest

Places

Shiloh: Israelite sanctuary and assembly point during the judges' period

Glossary

Eli God, Names of Hannah Hophni Joshua, Book of Offerings and Sacrifices Peninnah Phinehas Rathamin Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Shiloh Worship

Topics

Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Attended by Women Hannah: Her Trials and Prayer, and Promise Hophni: Son of Eli Sacrifices were offered: Yearly Shiloh: City of Ephraim, North of Beth-El: Tabernacle Located At the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Sacrificing the Anniversary Feasts: Females often Attended