1 Samuel 1:3
And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָלָה֩
went up
H5927
וְעָלָה֩
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הָאִ֨ישׁ
man
H376
הָאִ֨ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַה֤וּא
And this
H1931
הַה֤וּא
And this
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 19
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
מֵֽעִירוֹ֙
out of his city
H5892
מֵֽעִירוֹ֙
out of his city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
4 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יָמִ֔ימָה
yearly
H3117
יָמִ֔ימָה
yearly
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 19
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
יָמִ֔ימָה
yearly
H3117
יָמִ֔ימָה
yearly
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 19
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
לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֧ת
to worship
H7812
לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֧ת
to worship
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
7 of 19
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
וְלִזְבֹּ֛חַ
and to sacrifice
H2076
וְלִזְבֹּ֛חַ
and to sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
8 of 19
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
10 of 19
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וְשָׁ֞ם
H8033
וְשָׁ֞ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
12 of 19
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
בְנֵֽי
sons
H1121
בְנֵֽי
sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Luke 2:41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.Joshua 18:1And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.Exodus 23:14Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.Exodus 34:23Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.Deuteronomy 16:16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:1 Samuel 1:21And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.1 Samuel 1:9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.Judges 18:31And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
Historical Context
The three annual pilgrimages (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) were required by Mosaic law (Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:16). Shiloh, located in the hill country of Ephraim, served as Israel's central sanctuary for approximately 300 years before its destruction by the Philistines around 1050 BCE.
Questions for Reflection
- How should believers maintain personal faithfulness when religious institutions become corrupt?
- What does Elkanah's persistent obedience teach about worship regardless of circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Elkanah's faithfulness in annual pilgrimage to Shiloh demonstrates covenant fidelity amid spiritual decline. The title 'LORD of hosts' (Yahweh Sabaoth) appears here for the first time in Scripture, emphasizing God's sovereign command over heavenly armies. The ominous mention of Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas foreshadows coming judgment. Despite the corruption of the priesthood, faithful Israelites like Elkanah continued to worship, illustrating that institutional failure does not excuse personal disobedience.