1 Samuel 2:28
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
Original Language Analysis
וּבָחֹ֣ר
And did I choose
H977
וּבָחֹ֣ר
And did I choose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
אֹ֠תוֹ
H853
אֹ֠תוֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֨י
him out of all the tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֨י
him out of all the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
4 of 23
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְכֹהֵ֔ן
to be my priest
H3548
לְכֹהֵ֔ן
to be my priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
7 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
לַֽעֲל֣וֹת
to offer
H5927
לַֽעֲל֣וֹת
to offer
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְהַקְטִ֥יר
to burn
H6999
לְהַקְטִ֥יר
to burn
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
11 of 23
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
לָשֵׂ֥את
to wear
H5375
לָשֵׂ֥את
to wear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
13 of 23
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֵפ֖וֹד
an ephod
H646
אֵפ֖וֹד
an ephod
Strong's:
H646
Word #:
14 of 23
a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
לְפָנָ֑י
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וָֽאֶתְּנָה֙
me and did I give
H5414
וָֽאֶתְּנָה֙
me and did I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
16 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְבֵ֣ית
unto the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
unto the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
17 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֔יךָ
of thy father
H1
אָבִ֔יךָ
of thy father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
18 of 23
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִשֵּׁ֖י
all the offerings made by fire
H801
אִשֵּׁ֖י
all the offerings made by fire
Strong's:
H801
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice
Cross References
Exodus 28:1And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.Exodus 28:4And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.Leviticus 2:10And that which is left of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.Leviticus 2:3And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.Leviticus 6:16And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.Numbers 18:19All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.
Historical Context
The threefold description of priestly duties corresponds to the major functions: altar service (sacrifice), incense (intercession), and ephod (seeking divine guidance). These comprehensive duties positioned priests as mediators between God and people in every aspect of religious life.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God chosen and equipped you for service, and how do you steward those gifts?
- What is the relationship between divine generosity and human responsibility?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The prophetic indictment continues recounting divine election and provision. God chose Aaron's line from all Israel for priestly service - an extraordinary privilege. The duties listed (offering on altar, burning incense, wearing ephod) represent the full range of priestly ministry. Additionally, God gave the fire offerings as priestly provision. Everything the priestly family enjoyed came from divine choice and provision. Yet they responded to grace with greed, to privilege with presumption. The greater the gift, the greater the offense when it is abused.