1 Samuel 3:17
And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
מָ֤ה
H4100
מָ֤ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הַדָּבָ֖ר
What is the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֖ר
What is the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֥ר
that he said
H1696
דִּבֶּ֥ר
that he said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
5 of 25
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 25
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
נָ֥א
H4994
נָ֥א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
8 of 25
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
תְּכַחֵ֤ד
if thou hide
H3582
תְּכַחֵ֤ד
if thou hide
Strong's:
H3582
Word #:
9 of 25
to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כֹּ֣ה
H3541
כֹּ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַֽעֲשֶׂה
do so
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂה
do so
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 25
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהִים֙
it not from me God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
it not from me God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְכֹ֣ה
H3541
וְכֹ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יוֹסִ֔יף
to thee and more also
H3254
יוֹסִ֔יף
to thee and more also
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
16 of 25
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
17 of 25
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תְּכַחֵ֤ד
if thou hide
H3582
תְּכַחֵ֤ד
if thou hide
Strong's:
H3582
Word #:
18 of 25
to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙
H4480
מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
19 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַדָּבָ֖ר
What is the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֖ר
What is the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
20 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדָּבָ֖ר
What is the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֖ר
What is the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
22 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Ruth 1:17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.2 Samuel 3:35And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
Historical Context
Self-imprecation formulas ('God do so to me and more also') appear throughout the Old Testament as solemn oath language (Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 14:44; 2 Samuel 3:35). Eli places Samuel under oath to speak truthfully.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Eli's insistence on full disclosure, knowing it concerns judgment on his house, reveal about him?
- When have you demanded truth that you knew would be painful to hear?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Eli demands complete disclosure: 'hide not from me...God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing.' The self-imprecation formula invokes divine punishment on Samuel if he withholds information. Eli recognizes the seriousness of the moment and insists on full truth. This demand shows spiritual integrity even as it requires hearing his own doom. Eli would rather know God's word, however painful, than remain in ignorance. His response to Samuel's revelation will further reveal his character.