1 Samuel 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
Original Language Analysis
מֵקִ֨ים
He raiseth up
H6965
מֵקִ֨ים
He raiseth up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 19
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
מֵֽעָפָ֜ר
out of the dust
H6083
מֵֽעָפָ֜ר
out of the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
2 of 19
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
דָּ֗ל
the poor
H1800
דָּ֗ל
the poor
Strong's:
H1800
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
יָרִ֣ים
and lifteth up
H7311
יָרִ֣ים
and lifteth up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
5 of 19
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
לְהוֹשִׁיב֙
to set
H3427
לְהוֹשִׁיב֙
to set
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
8 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
נְדִיבִ֔ים
them among princes
H5081
נְדִיבִ֔ים
them among princes
Strong's:
H5081
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
וְכִסֵּ֥א
the throne
H3678
וְכִסֵּ֥א
the throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
כָב֖וֹד
of glory
H3519
כָב֖וֹד
of glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יַנְחִלֵ֑ם
and to make them inherit
H5157
יַנְחִלֵ֑ם
and to make them inherit
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
12 of 19
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לַֽיהוָה֙
are the LORD'S
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
are the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מְצֻ֣קֵי
for the pillars
H4690
מְצֻ֣קֵי
for the pillars
Strong's:
H4690
Word #:
15 of 19
something narrow, i.e., a column or hilltop
Cross References
Daniel 2:48Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.James 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?Daniel 6:3Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.Revelation 1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.Ecclesiastes 4:14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.1 Samuel 15:17And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?Revelation 5:10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.Revelation 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.2 Samuel 7:8Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Historical Context
The 'ash heap' (ashpot) or dunghill was where the poorest sat to glean scraps (Lamentations 4:5). It represents utter destitution and social shame. The 'pillars of the earth' reflects ancient cosmology's conception of the world resting on foundations established by God.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's absolute ownership of creation mean for human claims to status or achievement?
- How does this verse challenge social hierarchies that seem permanent and unchangeable?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse presents the most dramatic social reversal: the poor raised from dust and dunghill (ash heap) to sit with princes and inherit glory. The imagery is deliberately extreme - from the garbage heap to the royal throne. The theological foundation appears in the final clause: 'the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.' Creation itself depends on God; therefore, all social structures rest on His will. His right to reorganize human hierarchies flows from His role as Creator and Sustainer of all things.