And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

1 SAMUEL 3:8KJV
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1 Samuel 3:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 3:8 mean?

1 Samuel 3:8 describes how the LORD called out to Samuel for the third time during the night, and Samuel got up and went to Eli, thinking Eli had called him. At this point, Eli realized that it was actually the LORD who was calling Samuel.

In this verse, the story takes place in the temple where the boy Samuel is serving under Eli, the priest. Samuel hears someone calling his name and assumes it is Eli, so he goes to him. After the third time, Eli understands that the voice Samuel is hearing is not his own, but the LORD’s. This moment marks a turning point, as Eli recognizes that God is reaching out directly to Samuel, even though Samuel does not yet realize it himself.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 3:8

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, used here to show that it is God Himself calling Samuel, not just any messenger or angel.
  • "called" (קָרָא, qara’): This verb means to call out or summon. The repetition of this word emphasizes that God is actively and persistently reaching out to Samuel.
  • "perceived" (בִּין, bin): This word means to understand or realize. Eli’s perception is a key moment, as it shows his spiritual awareness and helps move the story forward by guiding Samuel on how to respond.

Why 1 Samuel 3:8 matters

  • This verse highlights Samuel’s innocence and inexperience with hearing God’s voice, showing that even someone devoted to serving God may not immediately recognize when God is speaking.
  • The verse marks a turning point in the story, as Eli’s realization sets up Samuel’s first direct encounter with God, which will shape his future as a prophet.
  • It also shows the persistence of God (the LORD calls Samuel three times), underlining that God patiently seeks out those He wants to speak with, even when they do not yet understand.

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 2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
  • 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.

“time” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • Judges 20:30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.