1 Samuel 1:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elkanah goes up each year to worship and sacrifice at Shiloh, where Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas serve as priests.
What Does 1 Samuel 1:3 Mean?
Shiloh was the place where the tabernacle stood and Israel gathered to worship. Faithfully, year by year, Elkanah makes the pilgrimage to offer sacrifice to the LORD of hosts. The mention of Hophni and Phinehas quietly signals trouble ahead, for these priests will prove unworthy, even as devout worshipers like Elkanah keep coming.
This is the first time Scripture calls God the LORD of hosts, the commander of heaven's armies. The title arrives not in a battle scene but at a worship gathering, where a weary family seeks Him. The God who rules all the powers of heaven is the same God who welcomes ordinary pilgrims and hears their prayers. Steady, repeated worship like Elkanah's keeps the heart turned toward the Lord even when the answers have not yet come.
1 Samuel 1:3 in the Original Language
tsebaoth (צְבָאוֹת), 'hosts' -- the armies of heaven, marking God as Lord over every power.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 1:3
What does 1 Samuel 1:3 mean?
Elkanah goes up each year to worship and sacrifice at Shiloh, where Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas serve as priests.