King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 1:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 1:3 in the King James Version says “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 so...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. yearly: Heb. from year to year”

1 Samuel 1:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

2

And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3

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. yearly: Heb. from year to year

4

And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5

But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. worthy: or, double

Read 1 Samuel 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Elkanah's faithfulness in annual pilgrimage to Shiloh demonstrates covenant fidelity amid spiritual decline. The title 'LORD of hosts' (Yahweh Sabaoth) appears here for the first time in Scripture, emphasizing God's sovereign command over heavenly armies. The ominous mention of Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas foreshadows coming judgment. Despite the corruption of the priesthood, faithful Israelites like Elkanah continued to worship, illustrating that institutional failure does not excuse personal disobedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The three annual pilgrimages (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) were required by Mosaic law (Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:16). Shiloh, located in the hill country of Ephraim, served as Israel's central sanctuary for approximately 300 years before its destruction by the Philistines around 1050 BCE.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers maintain personal faithfulness when religious institutions become corrupt?
  2. What does Elkanah's persistent obedience teach about worship regardless of circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְעָלָה֩1 of 19

“went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הָאִ֨ישׁ2 of 19

“man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַה֤וּא3 of 19

“And this”

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

מֵֽעִירוֹ֙4 of 19

“out of his city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יָמִ֔ימָה5 of 19

“yearly”

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

יָמִ֔ימָה6 of 19

“yearly”

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

לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֧ת7 of 19

“to worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

וְלִזְבֹּ֛חַ8 of 19

“and to sacrifice”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃9 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת10 of 19

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

בְּשִׁלֹ֑ה11 of 19

“in Shiloh”

H7887

shiloh, a place in palestine

וְשָׁ֞ם12 of 19
H8033

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

שְׁנֵ֣י13 of 19

“And the two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בְנֵֽי14 of 19

“sons”

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

עֵלִ֗י15 of 19

“of Eli”

H5941

eli, an israelite highpriest

חָפְנִי֙16 of 19

“Hophni”

H2652

chophni, an israelite

וּפִ֣נְחָ֔ס17 of 19

“and Phinehas”

H6372

pinechas, the name of three israelites

כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים18 of 19

“the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃19 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 1:3 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 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 2:41Joshua 18:1Deuteronomy 12:5-7Exodus 23:14Exodus 34:23Deuteronomy 16:16

Places in This Verse

ShilohSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Seilun · 32.06°N, 35.29°E37 verses across 8 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 1 →

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