Question 1

What does 1 Samuel 1:21 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Samuel 1:21 describes how Elkanah, the husband of Hannah, took his entire household to go up to the sanctuary to offer the yearly sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill a vow he had made. This verse shows Elkanah’s commitment to following the religious customs and keeping promises made to God. Elkanah is the main figure here, leading his family to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located at that time. The yearly sacrifice was a regular religious event for Israelite families, and the mention of a "vow" suggests Elkanah had made a specific promise to God, likely in connection with his family’s prayers for a child. This sets the stage for the story of Samuel’s dedication to the LORD, which follows in the next verses.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:21

Accepted Answer

אִישׁ (ish, "man"): This word refers specifically to Elkanah as the head of the household, emphasizing his role as the responsible leader in spiritual matters. בַּיִת (bayit, "house"): Here, "house" means not just the building but Elkanah’s whole family, showing that this was a family act of worship, not just an individual one. נֶדֶר (neder, "vow"): The word for "vow" points to a solemn promise made to God, highlighting the seriousness with which Elkanah approached his relationship with the LORD.

Question 3

Why 1 Samuel 1:21 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies that Israelite worship involved both regular, communal sacrifices and personal commitments or vows, showing both routine faithfulness and individual devotion. The mention of Elkanah’s vow connects directly to the earlier story of Hannah’s prayer and vow, tying the family’s actions to God’s answer and setting up Samuel’s dedication. By showing the whole household participating, the verse highlights the importance of family involvement in worship and spiritual commitments in ancient Israel.

1 Samuel 1:21 (KJV)