1 Samuel 1:1

KJV

¶ Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name [was] Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

KJV (with Strong's)

Now there was a certain {H259} man {H376} of Ramathaimzophim {H7436}, of mount {H2022} Ephraim {H669}, and his name {H8034} was Elkanah {H511}, the son {H1121} of Jeroham {H3395}, the son {H1121} of Elihu {H453}, the son {H1121} of Tohu {H8459}, the son {H1121} of Zuph {H6689}, an Ephrathite {H673}:

Complete Jewish Bible

There was a man from Ramatayim-Tzofim, in the hills of Efrayim, whose name was Elkanah the son of Yerocham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tochu, the son of Tzuf, from Efrat.

Berean Standard Bible

Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

American Standard Version

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 1:1 introduces Elkanah, a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim, and details his lineage. This seemingly simple opening verse establishes the foundational character and setting for the monumental narrative that follows, anchoring the dramatic story of Samuel's miraculous birth, his prophetic ministry, and the pivotal transition of Israel from the chaotic period of the Judges to the establishment of the monarchy, all through the lens of one ordinary yet divinely purposed family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate and crucial opening of the book of 1 Samuel, abruptly shifting from the tumultuous and decentralized era depicted in the book of Judges. Unlike Judges, which often begins with tribal accounts or general statements, 1 Samuel immediately hones in on a specific family, Elkanah's, setting a personal and familial tone for the grand historical narrative to unfold. By introducing Elkanah and his geographical roots, the author grounds the subsequent events—particularly the barrenness of Hannah, the miraculous birth of Samuel, and his dedication to the Lord—within a concrete, relatable human story. This intimate beginning prepares the reader for the profound spiritual and political changes that will ripple out from this seemingly ordinary household, culminating in the anointing of Israel's first kings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 1 Samuel 1 occur during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by spiritual apostasy, moral decay, and political fragmentation, as summarized by the recurring refrain in Judges: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")). The mention of Elkanah's home in the "mount Ephraim" (the hill country of Ephraim) places him in a central and historically significant tribal territory, often associated with key Israelite sites like Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located ([Joshua 18:1](/joshua/18-1 "Joshua 18:1 - Tabernacle at Shiloh")). The emphasis on lineage was culturally vital, establishing identity, social standing, and often, religious responsibilities. Though not explicitly stated in this verse, later biblical texts (e.g., [1 Chronicles 6:33-38](/1_chronicles/6-33 "1 Chronicles 6:33-38 - Samuel's Levitical Lineage")) reveal Elkanah's family to be Levites of the Kohathite clan, a detail that profoundly impacts the narrative, particularly concerning Samuel's upbringing and service at the tabernacle.
* **Key Themes:** The introduction of Elkanah and his family immediately establishes several key themes that will permeate the book. Firstly, it highlights the **divine initiative through ordinary individuals**: God often chooses seemingly unremarkable people and families through whom to enact His extraordinary plans, rather than starting with kings or established institutions. Secondly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **lineage and heritage**, which is crucial for understanding identity and destiny in biblical narratives, especially as it relates to the subsequent birth of Samuel and the establishment of the monarchy. Thirdly, the geographical grounding in "mount Ephraim" underscores the **importance of place** in God's unfolding plan, connecting the personal narrative to the broader tribal and national landscape of Israel. This foundation sets the stage for the book's overarching theme of **God's sovereignty** in raising up leaders and guiding His people, even in times of profound spiritual and political disarray, ultimately paving the way for the Davidic kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elkanah (Hebrew, _ʼElqânâh'_):** From the Hebrew words for "God" and "obtained," this name means "God has obtained." The etymology of Elkanah's name is subtly prophetic, hinting at the divine hand that will "obtain" or provide a son for him and Hannah, a son who will be dedicated to the Lord and become a pivotal figure in Israel's history. It foreshadows the miraculous nature of Samuel's birth and his unique calling.
* **Ramathaimzophim (Hebrew, _Râmâthayim Tsôwphîym'_):** Literally meaning "double height of watchers," this place name is significant for its association with the family's ancestral land and is generally identified with Ramah, which later becomes Samuel's permanent residence and burial place ([1 Samuel 7:17](/1_samuel/7-17 "1 Samuel 7:17 - Samuel's Home in Ramah")). The "Zophim" likely refers to the descendants of Zuph, Elkanah's ancestor mentioned in the verse, indicating a long-standing family presence in the region.
* **Ephrathite (Hebrew, _ʼEphrâthîy'_):** In this context, "Ephrathite" refers to Elkanah's tribal affiliation or origin from the territory of Ephraim. While the term can also refer to people from Bethlehem-Ephrathah ([Ruth 1:2](/ruth/1-2 "Ruth 1:2 - Naomi, an Ephrathite")), here it clearly denotes his residence in the hill country of Ephraim. Crucially, as later revealed in [1 Chronicles 6:33-38](/1_chronicles/6-33 "1 Chronicles 6:33-38 - Samuel's Levitical Lineage"), Elkanah was a Levite, specifically a Kohathite. This means "Ephrathite" here describes his geographical residence within the tribal territory of Ephraim, where many Levites were allotted towns, rather than indicating he was ethnically from the tribe of Ephraim itself. This detail is vital for understanding Samuel's priestly and prophetic roles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim":** This opening phrase immediately sets the scene and introduces the primary human subject. The use of "certain man" (אִישׁ אֶחָד, *’ish ’echad*) suggests an ordinary individual, yet the subsequent narrative reveals his extraordinary significance. The geographical specification anchors the story in a real, identifiable location within the central tribal territory of Ephraim, a region often associated with Israelite worship and political activity during the Judges period.
* **"and his name [was] Elkanah":** The direct naming of Elkanah immediately establishes him as the head of the household around whom the initial narrative will revolve. His name, meaning "God has obtained," subtly foreshadows the divine involvement in his family's life, particularly concerning the birth of Samuel.
* **"the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph":** This brief genealogy provides Elkanah's immediate paternal lineage. In biblical narratives, genealogies serve to establish identity, legitimacy, and historical continuity. While not an exhaustive list, it connects Elkanah to his ancestral roots and the "Zophites" mentioned in the place name, reinforcing his long-standing family presence in Ramathaim-zophim.
* **"an Ephrathite":** As discussed in Key Word Analysis, this identifies Elkanah's residence or origin within the tribal territory of Ephraim. The crucial insight from later texts (e.g., [1 Chronicles 6](/1_chronicles/6 "1 Chronicles 6 - Levitical Genealogies")) is that Elkanah was a Levite. Therefore, "Ephrathite" here signifies his dwelling in Ephraim's territory, not his tribal descent from Ephraim, which is a common arrangement for Levites who did not have their own tribal land but were dispersed among the other tribes. This Levitical connection is foundational for understanding Samuel's future role.

#### Literary Devices
The opening verse of 1 Samuel employs several effective literary devices. **Introduction** is paramount, as the author immediately brings the reader into the narrative by presenting a specific character and his setting, rather than a general historical overview. This personalizes the beginning of a book that will chronicle significant national changes. The inclusion of a **Genealogy** ("the son of Jeroham...") serves to authenticate Elkanah's identity and establish his roots within Israelite society, a common practice in biblical narratives to provide context and legitimacy for key figures. While brief, it grounds Elkanah in a specific lineage. Furthermore, there is subtle **Foreshadowing** embedded within the verse. The meaning of Elkanah's name ("God has obtained") subtly hints at the divine intervention that will soon bring about the miraculous birth of Samuel. Additionally, the specific geographical location, Ramah, will become a significant place for Samuel throughout his life, subtly preparing the reader for its future importance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Samuel 1:1, though seemingly a simple introduction, is rich with theological implications. It immediately establishes God's pattern of working through ordinary individuals and families to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. In a period marked by spiritual decline and a lack of central leadership, God does not begin His redemptive work with a king or a powerful judge, but with a seemingly unremarkable man and his family in a specific, identifiable place. This highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to raise up instruments for His will from unexpected sources, demonstrating that human status or prominence is not a prerequisite for divine election. The verse also underscores the importance of family and lineage in God's plan, as this particular family will become the crucible for the birth and upbringing of Samuel, a pivotal prophet and judge who will reshape Israel's spiritual and political landscape. It sets the stage for the overarching theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they are unfaithful, by preparing the way for a new era of leadership.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abram")
* [Exodus 2:1-2](/exodus/2-1-2 "Exodus 2:1-2 - Birth of Moses")
* [Luke 1:5-7](/luke/1-5-7 "Luke 1:5-7 - Zechariah and Elizabeth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This opening verse of 1 Samuel invites us to consider how God works in the world, often beginning His greatest movements not with grand pronouncements or powerful institutions, but with the quiet, seemingly mundane details of individual lives. Elkanah, a man with a family and a home, becomes the patriarch of a lineage through whom God raises up Samuel, a figure who will stand between the old order of Judges and the new era of kings. This reminds us that our own backgrounds, our family histories, and even our geographical locations are not irrelevant to God's purposes. He sees, knows, and can use every aspect of our lives. It encourages us to embrace our own "ordinary" existence, recognizing that within it, God may be preparing us or our descendants for extraordinary service. Just as Elkanah's family was divinely chosen to bring forth a prophet who would guide Israel, so too can God use our faithfulness in seemingly small things to accomplish His grand designs, demonstrating that every life, every family, and every place can be a part of His redemptive story.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the seemingly ordinary introduction of Elkanah challenge our assumptions about how God initiates His work in the world?**
* **In what ways might our own family background or geographical location be part of God's larger plan for our lives or for the community around us?**
* **What "ordinary" aspects of our lives might God be preparing to use for extraordinary purposes, much like Elkanah's family?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Elkanah's seemingly ordinary lineage and location?**

Answer: The significance lies in God's consistent pattern of working through seemingly ordinary individuals and places to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Elkanah's lineage, while detailed, doesn't immediately mark him as a national leader. However, later biblical texts (specifically [1 Chronicles 6:33-38](/1_chronicles/6-33-38 "1 Chronicles 6:33-38 - Samuel's Levitical Lineage")) reveal he was a Levite, which is crucial for understanding his family's dedication to the Lord and Samuel's subsequent service in the tabernacle at Shiloh. His location in the hill country of Ephraim, a central tribal territory, grounds the narrative in a real, accessible setting, emphasizing that God's work unfolds within the fabric of everyday life, not just in grand, distant events. This highlights God's accessibility and His ability to raise up instruments from unexpected sources.

**Was Ramathaim-zophim a well-known place in ancient Israel?**

Answer: While not as prominent as cities like Jerusalem or Shiloh, Ramathaim-zophim was significant as Elkanah's ancestral home and is generally identified with Ramah (meaning "height" or "high place"), which later became the permanent residence and burial place of the prophet Samuel ([1 Samuel 7:17](/1_samuel/7-17 "1 Samuel 7:17 - Samuel's Home in Ramah")). The "Zophim" part of the name likely connects it to Elkanah's ancestor, Zuph, indicating a long-standing family presence in the area. Its location in the hill country of Ephraim placed it within a central and often turbulent region during the period of the Judges.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly simple introduction of Elkanah in [1 Samuel 1:1](/1_samuel/1-1 "1 Samuel 1:1 - Elkanah's Introduction"), while rooted in the Old Covenant, subtly foreshadows the Christ-centered narrative of redemption. God's pattern of initiating His redemptive work through ordinary individuals and humble beginnings finds its ultimate culmination in Jesus Christ. Just as Elkanah, a man from an unremarkable background in Mount Ephraim, becomes the father of Samuel, a pivotal prophet who bridges the gap between judges and kings, so too does God's ultimate King and Prophet, Jesus, emerge from humble origins. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small town in Judah, to a carpenter and his wife, a seemingly ordinary family, yet His lineage traced back through kings and patriarchs to fulfill divine prophecy ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus")). The dedication of Samuel to the Lord from birth, a consequence of his miraculous conception, prefigures Christ's own divine origin and His perfect, lifelong dedication to His Father's will, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Thus, the opening of 1 Samuel, by focusing on a family through whom God would raise up a deliverer, points forward to the greater Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who would come from an equally humble yet divinely chosen lineage to usher in the eternal kingdom of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 6:25

And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.

1 Chronicles 6:27

Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.

1 Chronicles 6:34

The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,

1 Samuel 1:19

¶ And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

Ruth 1:2

And the name of the man [was] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

1 Samuel 9:5

[And] when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that [was] with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave [caring] for the asses, and take thought for us.

Judges 19:1

¶ And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.