1 Samuel 16:5
And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁל֗וֹם
Peaceably
H7965
שָׁל֗וֹם
Peaceably
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
2 of 17
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
לִזְבֹּ֤חַ
to sacrifice
H2076
לִזְבֹּ֤חַ
to sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
3 of 17
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּבָאתֶ֥ם
I am come
H935
וּבָאתֶ֥ם
I am come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַיְקַדֵּ֤שׁ
And he sanctified
H6942
וַיְקַדֵּ֤שׁ
And he sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
6 of 17
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
וּבָאתֶ֥ם
I am come
H935
וּבָאתֶ֥ם
I am come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אִתִּ֖י
H854
אִתִּ֖י
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
לַזָּֽבַח׃
them to the sacrifice
H2077
לַזָּֽבַח׃
them to the sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
וַיְקַדֵּ֤שׁ
And he sanctified
H6942
וַיְקַדֵּ֤שׁ
And he sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
10 of 17
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּנָ֔יו
and his sons
H1121
בָּנָ֔יו
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 17
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
Exodus 19:10And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,Joshua 3:5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.1 Corinthians 11:28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.Joshua 7:13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Historical Context
Ritual purification typically involved washing, clean garments, and abstention from sexual relations (Exodus 19:10-15). Such preparation acknowledged human unworthiness to approach the holy God and the need for ceremonial cleansing before worship. Family sacrifices strengthened clan bonds and renewed covenant commitment.
Questions for Reflection
- What practices of spiritual preparation help you encounter God more receptively?
- How does the call to sanctification challenge your approach to worship and spiritual gatherings?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
Sanctification (qadash) involved ritual purification preparing participants for sacred encounter. Samuel's personal sanctification of Jesse and his sons set them apart for the special revelation about to occur. The sacrificial context provided legitimate religious cover while also genuinely preparing hearts for God's work. The tension between public ritual and private purpose reflects how God often works within ordinary structures to accomplish extraordinary purposes.