King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 2:35 Mean?

1 Samuel 2:35 in the King James Version says “And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I w...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.”

1 Samuel 2:35 · King James Version


Context

33

And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. in the flower: Heb. men

34

And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

35

And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

36

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. Put: Heb. Join one of: or, somewhat about the priesthood


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Amid judgment comes promise: God will raise 'a faithful priest' who acts according to God's heart and mind. This priest will have a 'sure house' (contrasting Eli's doomed house) and will walk before God's anointed forever. Immediate reference is to Samuel and then to Zadok, whose line served through Solomon's temple. But the ultimate fulfillment is Christ, the faithful High Priest whose house endures eternally. Even in pronouncing judgment, God provides hope. The failed priesthood points to a better priest coming.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Samuel served priestly functions though technically a Levite, not Aaronide. Zadok, descended from Aaron through Eleazar, replaced Eli's line under Solomon. Hebrews 7-10 presents Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of faithful priesthood, superior to both Levitical orders.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise of a faithful priest point to Christ?
  2. What hope emerges even within God's most severe judgment oracles?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַהֲקִֽימֹתִ֥י1 of 17

“And I will raise me up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לִי֙2 of 17
H0
כֹּהֵ֣ן3 of 17

“priest”

H3548

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

נֶֽאֱמָ֔ן4 of 17

“a faithful”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר5 of 17
H834

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

בִּלְבָבִ֥י6 of 17

“according to that which is in mine heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וּבְנַפְשִׁ֖י7 of 17

“and in my mind”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה8 of 17

“that shall do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וּבָנִ֤יתִי9 of 17

“and I will build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לוֹ֙10 of 17
H0
בַּ֣יִת11 of 17

“house”

H1004

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

נֶֽאֱמָ֔ן12 of 17

“a faithful”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

וְהִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ13 of 17

“and he shall walk”

H1980

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

לִפְנֵֽי14 of 17

“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

מְשִׁיחִ֖י15 of 17

“mine anointed”

H4899

anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah

כָּל16 of 17
H3605

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

הַיָּמִֽים׃17 of 17

“for ever”

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


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 2:35 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 2:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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