King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 2:28 Mean?

1 Samuel 2:28 in the King James Version says “And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

1 Samuel 2:28 · KJV


Context

26

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

27

And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

28

And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29

Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prophetic indictment continues recounting divine election and provision. God chose Aaron's line from all Israel for priestly service - an extraordinary privilege. The duties listed (offering on altar, burning incense, wearing ephod) represent the full range of priestly ministry. Additionally, God gave the fire offerings as priestly provision. Everything the priestly family enjoyed came from divine choice and provision. Yet they responded to grace with greed, to privilege with presumption. The greater the gift, the greater the offense when it is abused.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The threefold description of priestly duties corresponds to the major functions: altar service (sacrifice), incense (intercession), and ephod (seeking divine guidance). These comprehensive duties positioned priests as mediators between God and people in every aspect of religious life.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God chosen and equipped you for service, and how do you steward those gifts?
  2. What is the relationship between divine generosity and human responsibility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וּבָחֹ֣ר1 of 23

And did I choose

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

אֹ֠תוֹ2 of 23
H853

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

מִכָּל3 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שִׁבְטֵ֨י4 of 23

him out of all the tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃5 of 23

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לִי֙6 of 23
H0
לְכֹהֵ֔ן7 of 23

to be my priest

H3548

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

לַֽעֲל֣וֹת8 of 23

to offer

H5927

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

עַֽל9 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִזְבְּחִ֗י10 of 23

upon mine altar

H4196

an altar

לְהַקְטִ֥יר11 of 23

to burn

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

קְטֹ֛רֶת12 of 23

incense

H7004

a fumigation

לָשֵׂ֥את13 of 23

to wear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֵפ֖וֹד14 of 23

an ephod

H646

a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image

לְפָנָ֑י15 of 23

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וָֽאֶתְּנָה֙16 of 23

me and did I give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְבֵ֣ית17 of 23

unto the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִ֔יךָ18 of 23

of thy father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶת19 of 23
H853

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

כָּל20 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִשֵּׁ֖י21 of 23

all the offerings made by fire

H801

properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice

בְּנֵ֥י22 of 23

of the children

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃23 of 23

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 2:28 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 2:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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