1 Samuel 2:20
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
Original Language Analysis
וּבֵרַ֨ךְ
blessed
H1288
וּבֵרַ֨ךְ
blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
1 of 21
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 21
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 #:
5 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָשֵׂם֩
give
H7760
יָשֵׂם֩
give
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
8 of 21
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
The LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
זֶ֙רַע֙
thee seed
H2233
זֶ֙רַע֙
thee seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
11 of 21
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
תַּ֚חַת
H8478
תַּ֚חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
15 of 21
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁאַ֖ל
which is lent
H7592
שָׁאַ֖ל
which is lent
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
18 of 21
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
The LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Priestly blessing was a formal function specified in Numbers 6:22-27. The language of Eli's blessing echoes the patriarchal promises of seed and blessing. His role in pronouncing this blessing, despite his failures, shows how God uses imperfect instruments.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God replace what we give to Him, often with multiplication?
- What does the tension between Eli's failure and his function teach about spiritual office?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Eli's blessing on Elkanah and Hannah invokes divine compensation for their sacrifice. The phrase 'for the loan which is lent to the LORD' uses sha'al language from chapter 1, acknowledging Hannah's extraordinary dedication. Eli blesses them with more children - the one dedicated will be replaced many times over. The blessing formula 'The LORD give thee seed' invokes creation language, asking God to multiply their offspring. Though Eli fails with his own sons, he still functions as priest, channeling blessing to faithful worshipers.