King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 2:29 Mean?

1 Samuel 2:29 in the King James Version says “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

1 Samuel 2:29 · KJV


Context

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.

31

Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The indictment reaches its core accusation: 'honourest thy sons above me.' Eli's failure was not ignorance but misplaced loyalty. He valued his sons' comfort over God's honor. The verb 'kick' (ba'at) pictures stubborn resistance, like an animal refusing the yoke. The phrase 'to make yourselves fat' indicts both father and sons - Eli shared in the benefits of their corruption. His passive tolerance constituted active participation. The question 'Wherefore?' demands accounting. No acceptable answer exists for prioritizing human relationships over divine commands.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Hebrew behind 'kick at my sacrifice' suggests disdainful, contemptuous rejection - treating sacred things as worthless. Eli's 'fattening' from corrupt offerings made him complicit in his sons' crimes. Leadership passivity in the face of corruption becomes active evil.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas might you be honoring human relationships above God's clear commands?
  2. How does passive tolerance of wrongdoing become active participation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לָ֣מָּה1 of 17
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִבְעֲט֗וּ2 of 17

Wherefore kick

H1163

to trample down, i.e., (figuratively) despise

בְּזִבְחִי֙3 of 17

ye at my sacrifice

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

מִנְחַ֥ת4 of 17

and at mine offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 17
H834

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

צִוִּ֖יתִי6 of 17

which I have commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

מָע֑וֹן7 of 17

in my habitation

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

וַתְּכַבֵּ֤ד8 of 17

and honourest

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

אֶת9 of 17
H853

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

בָּנֶ֙יךָ֙10 of 17

thy 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

מִמֶּ֔נִּי11 of 17
H4480

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

לְהַבְרִֽיאֲכֶ֗ם12 of 17

above me to make yourselves fat

H1254

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

מֵֽרֵאשִׁ֛ית13 of 17

with the chiefest

H7225

the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)

כָּל14 of 17
H3605

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

מִנְחַ֥ת15 of 17

and at mine offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל16 of 17

of Israel

H3478

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

לְעַמִּֽי׃17 of 17

my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock


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 2:29 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 2:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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