1 Samuel 2:3
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 15
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְדַבְּרוּ֙
Talk
H1696
תְדַבְּרוּ֙
Talk
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יֵצֵ֥א
come
H3318
יֵצֵ֥א
come
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִפִּיכֶ֑ם
out of your mouth
H6310
מִפִּיכֶ֑ם
out of your mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
8 of 15
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֤ל
is a God
H410
אֵ֤ל
is a God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
10 of 15
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְל֥א
H3808
וְל֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.1 Kings 8:39Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)Proverbs 24:12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.Proverbs 16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.Isaiah 37:23Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.Psalms 94:4How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?Psalms 147:5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.Psalms 44:21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.Job 31:6Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.
Historical Context
The weighing of deeds imagery appears in Egyptian judgment scenes and was adopted in Israelite wisdom literature (Proverbs 16:2; 21:2; 24:12). The concept emphasizes divine evaluation that penetrates beyond external appearances to internal motivations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's complete knowledge of your actions and motives affect your daily conduct?
- What pride in your life ignores the reality of divine judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hannah's warning against pride directly addresses those like Peninnah who trusted in human advantages. The phrase 'exceeding proudly' intensifies the prohibition. The theological basis is God's omniscience - He is 'a God of knowledge' (or 'God of knowledges,' plural of majesty). The statement 'by him actions are weighed' pictures divine scales measuring every deed. Human boasting reveals ignorance of the God who sees all, knows all, and will judge all. Pride before the omniscient God is not merely inappropriate but absurd.