And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

1 SAMUEL 1:25KJV
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1 Samuel 1:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:25 mean?

1 Samuel 1:25 describes how a bull was killed as a sacrifice, and then the child Samuel was brought to Eli the priest. This verse shows the moment when Samuel’s parents, after making an offering, present their young son to serve at the tabernacle as they had promised to God.

Hannah and her husband Elkanah are fulfilling a vow Hannah made earlier: if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service. The verse takes place at the tabernacle in Shiloh, where Eli is the high priest. The act of sacrificing a bullock and bringing Samuel to Eli marks the formal giving of Samuel to God’s service, setting the stage for his lifelong ministry.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:25

  • "slew" (שָׁחַט, shachat): This word means to slaughter or kill, especially in the context of offering a sacrifice. It highlights that this was a ritual act, not just an ordinary killing of an animal.
  • "bullock" (פַּר, par): This word refers specifically to a young bull, which was a significant and valuable animal for sacrifice. Offering a bullock showed the seriousness and costliness of the family's dedication.
  • "brought" (בּוֹא, bo): This word means to bring or come. Here, it emphasizes the deliberate action of presenting Samuel to Eli, not just a casual meeting.
  • "child" (נַעַר, na'ar): This word can mean a boy or youth, and in this context, it refers to Samuel as a young child, likely still quite small, which underscores the faith and trust involved in dedicating him so early.

Why 1 Samuel 1:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Samuel’s dedication to God was accompanied by a costly sacrifice, showing the seriousness of his parents’ commitment.
  • The verse connects Hannah’s private vow and prayer to a public act of faith, linking her personal story to the larger work God would do through Samuel.
  • By mentioning Eli, the verse sets up the relationship between Samuel and the priesthood, which becomes central to the following chapters.

Where else these words appear

“Eli” Hebrew H5941 · used in 30 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
  • 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Samuel 3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

“slew” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
  • 2 Kings 10:14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.

“bullock” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:32 And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: