1 Samuel 1:28

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Original Language Analysis

וְגַ֣ם H1571
וְגַ֣ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אָֽנֹכִ֗י H595
אָֽנֹכִ֗י
Strong's: H595
Word #: 2 of 14
i
שָׁא֖וּל Therefore also I have lent H7592
שָׁא֖וּל Therefore also I have lent
Strong's: H7592
Word #: 3 of 14
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ him to the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ him to the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִים֙ as long as he liveth H3117
הַיָּמִים֙ as long as he liveth
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 6 of 14
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
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֔ה H1961
הָיָ֔ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 9 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
שָׁא֖וּל Therefore also I have lent H7592
שָׁא֖וּל Therefore also I have lent
Strong's: H7592
Word #: 10 of 14
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ him to the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ him to the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ And he worshipped H7812
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ And he worshipped
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 12 of 14
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
שָׁ֖ם H8033
שָׁ֖ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 13 of 14
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ him to the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ him to the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

The Hebrew verb sha'al (to ask/lend/dedicate) appears three times in this verse, creating profound wordplay. Hannah 'asked' for Samuel; now she 'lends' him to the LORD who will 'ask' for his service all his days. The term can mean either lending or dedicating - Hannah gives back what was always God's, recognizing that Samuel belonged to the LORD before he belonged to her. The closing phrase 'he worshipped the LORD there' likely refers to Eli or Samuel (or both), indicating proper response to this momentous dedication.

Historical Context

The concept of sha'al (to lend to God) appears only here in Scripture for human dedication. It emphasizes both the gift nature of Samuel (he was 'asked for') and Hannah's response (she 'asks back' by dedicating him). This reciprocal asking creates a covenant of gratitude.

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