And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

1 SAMUEL 1:24KJV
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1 Samuel 1:24 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:24 mean?

1 Samuel 1:24 describes how, after Hannah had finished nursing her son Samuel, she brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh along with offerings of three bulls, an ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine. The verse notes that Samuel was still very young when Hannah fulfilled her vow to dedicate him to God’s service.

This verse takes place after Hannah’s prayer for a child was answered. Hannah herself brings Samuel, along with significant offerings, to the sanctuary at Shiloh as an act of gratitude and obedience. The mention of Samuel’s young age highlights Hannah’s faithfulness in giving him to God soon after he was weaned, not waiting until he was older.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:24

  • "Weaned" (גָּמַל, gamal): This word refers to the time when a child stops nursing. In ancient Israel, this could be around three years old, showing how young Samuel was when Hannah brought him to Shiloh.
  • "Ephah" (אֵיפָה, ephah): An ephah was a substantial measure of flour, about 22 liters or 6 gallons. This detail emphasizes the generosity and seriousness of Hannah’s offering.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): This word refers to the sanctuary or dwelling place of the LORD at Shiloh, not a private home. It underscores that Samuel was being brought to a sacred place for service.
  • "Child" and "young" (נַעַר, na'ar): The same Hebrew word is used for both "child" and "young" in this verse, stressing Samuel’s tender age and vulnerability at the time of his dedication.

Why 1 Samuel 1:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Hannah kept her promise to God as soon as Samuel was weaned, not delaying his dedication.
  • The specific offerings listed show that Hannah’s act was both a sacrifice and a celebration, reflecting deep gratitude and reverence.
  • The setting at Shiloh connects this event to Israel’s central place of worship before the temple was built, highlighting the importance of Samuel’s role in Israel’s spiritual history.

Where else these words appear

“flour” Hebrew H7058 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • 2 Samuel 17:28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
  • 1 Kings 17:16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

“ephah” Hebrew H374 · used in 29 verses

  • Exodus 16:36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.
  • Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
  • Ezekiel 46:7 And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

“Shiloh” Hebrew H7887 · used in 30 verses

  • Joshua 18:1 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
  • Judges 21:12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.
  • 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

“weaned” Hebrew H1580 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 21:8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
  • 1 Kings 11:20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
  • Psalms 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.