King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 2:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 2:20 in the King James Version says “And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. loan: or, petition which she asked, etc

1 Samuel 2:20 · KJV


Context

18

But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19

Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20

And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. loan: or, petition which she asked, etc

21

And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

22

Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. assembled: Heb. assembled by troops


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Eli's blessing on Elkanah and Hannah invokes divine compensation for their sacrifice. The phrase 'for the loan which is lent to the LORD' uses sha'al language from chapter 1, acknowledging Hannah's extraordinary dedication. Eli blesses them with more children - the one dedicated will be replaced many times over. The blessing formula 'The LORD give thee seed' invokes creation language, asking God to multiply their offspring. Though Eli fails with his own sons, he still functions as priest, channeling blessing to faithful worshipers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Priestly blessing was a formal function specified in Numbers 6:22-27. The language of Eli's blessing echoes the patriarchal promises of seed and blessing. His role in pronouncing this blessing, despite his failures, shows how God uses imperfect instruments.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God replace what we give to Him, often with multiplication?
  2. What does the tension between Eli's failure and his function teach about spiritual office?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וּבֵרַ֨ךְ1 of 21

blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

עֵלִ֜י2 of 21

And Eli

H5941

eli, an israelite highpriest

אֶת3 of 21
H853

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

אֶלְקָנָ֣ה4 of 21

Elkanah

H511

elkanah, the name of several israelites

וְאֶת5 of 21
H853

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

הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה6 of 21

and his wife

H802

a woman

וְאָמַר֙7 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יָשֵׂם֩8 of 21

give

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לַֽיהוָ֑ה9 of 21

The LORD

H3068

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

לְךָ֥10 of 21
H0
זֶ֙רַע֙11 of 21

thee seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

מִן12 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה13 of 21

and his wife

H802

a woman

הַזֹּ֔את14 of 21
H2063

this (often used adverb)

תַּ֚חַת15 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַשְּׁאֵלָ֔ה16 of 21

for the loan

H7596

a petition; by implication, a loan

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁאַ֖ל18 of 21

which is lent

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

לַֽיהוָ֑ה19 of 21

The LORD

H3068

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

וְהָֽלְכ֖וּ20 of 21

And they went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לִמְקוֹמֽוֹ׃21 of 21

unto their own home

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)


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 2:20 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 2:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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