King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 3:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 3:17 in the King James Version says “And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, an... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. more also: Hebr. so add any thing: or, word

1 Samuel 3:17 · KJV


Context

15

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

16

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

17

And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. more also: Hebr. so add any thing: or, word

18

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. every: Heb. all the things, or, words

19

And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Eli demands complete disclosure: 'hide not from me...God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing.' The self-imprecation formula invokes divine punishment on Samuel if he withholds information. Eli recognizes the seriousness of the moment and insists on full truth. This demand shows spiritual integrity even as it requires hearing his own doom. Eli would rather know God's word, however painful, than remain in ignorance. His response to Samuel's revelation will further reveal his character.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Self-imprecation formulas ('God do so to me and more also') appear throughout the Old Testament as solemn oath language (Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 14:44; 2 Samuel 3:35). Eli places Samuel under oath to speak truthfully.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Eli's insistence on full disclosure, knowing it concerns judgment on his house, reveal about him?
  2. When have you demanded truth that you knew would be painful to hear?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 25

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֤ה2 of 25
H4100

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

הַדָּבָ֖ר3 of 25

What is the thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 25
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר5 of 25

that he said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֔יךָ6 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַל7 of 25
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

נָ֥א8 of 25
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

תְּכַחֵ֤ד9 of 25

if thou hide

H3582

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

מִמֶּ֑נִּי10 of 25
H4480

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

כֹּ֣ה11 of 25
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יַֽעֲשֶׂה12 of 25

do so

H6213

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

לְּךָ֤13 of 25
H0
אֱלֹהִים֙14 of 25

it not from me God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְכֹ֣ה15 of 25
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יוֹסִ֔יף16 of 25

to thee and more also

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

אִם17 of 25
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תְּכַחֵ֤ד18 of 25

if thou hide

H3582

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙19 of 25
H4480

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

הַדָּבָ֖ר20 of 25

What is the thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

מִכָּל21 of 25
H3605

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

הַדָּבָ֖ר22 of 25

What is the thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר23 of 25
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר24 of 25

that he said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃25 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 3:17 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 3:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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