1 Samuel 2:3

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Talk {H1696} no more {H7235} so exceeding {H1364} proudly {H1364}; let not arrogancy {H6277} come {H3318} out of your mouth {H6310}: for the LORD {H3068} is a God {H410} of knowledge {H1844}, and by him actions {H5949} are weighed {H8505}.

"Stop your proud boasting! Don't let arrogance come from your mouth! For ADONAI is a God of knowledge, and he appraises actions.

Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth; For Jehovah is a God of knowledge, And by him actions are weighed.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 2:3

This powerful verse is part of Hannah's profound prayer of thanksgiving after the birth and dedication of her son, Samuel. Having been barren and mocked, Hannah's prayer is not just personal gratitude but a prophetic song about God's character and His just governance of the world. She contrasts the arrogance of the unrighteous (like Eli's corrupt sons, Hophni and Phinehas, though not named here) with God's ultimate sovereignty and wisdom, anticipating a divine reversal of fortunes where the humble are exalted and the proud brought low.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Folly of Arrogance: Hannah's opening admonition, "Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth," directly condemns haughty speech and a prideful spirit. It suggests that such boasting is foolish in the face of God's omniscience.
  • God's Omniscience and Discernment: The core of the verse, "for the LORD is a God of knowledge," highlights God's perfect and comprehensive understanding. He knows all things—not just facts, but also intentions, motives, and the true character of every individual.
  • Divine Justice and Accountability: The phrase "and by him actions are weighed" emphasizes God's role as the ultimate Judge. He meticulously assesses and evaluates every human deed, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail. This weighing implies a standard of righteousness against which all actions are measured.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words behind this verse add depth to its meaning:

  • "Proudly" (Hebrew: ga'vah) and "arrogancy" (Hebrew: 'ataq) both convey a sense of haughtiness, insolence, and presumption. This is not merely confidence but an overbearing self-exaltation that disregards God or others.
  • "God of knowledge" (Hebrew: 'El De'ot): This unique divine title emphasizes God's perfect, intimate, and discerning knowledge. It's not just intellectual understanding, but a profound awareness of all things, including the deepest secrets of the heart and mind.
  • "Actions are weighed": The Hebrew verb takan means to measure, establish, or balance. It evokes the imagery of a set of scales, where God precisely evaluates the moral quality and true intent behind human deeds, not just their outward appearance. This concept is echoed in Proverbs 16:2, which states that the LORD weighs the spirits.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 2:3 offers timeless principles for believers today:

  • Cultivate Humility: This verse serves as a powerful reminder to guard against pride in our words and attitudes. True wisdom begins with acknowledging God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him, as Proverbs 16:18 warns that pride goes before destruction.
  • Live with Accountability: Understanding that the LORD is a "God of knowledge" and that "actions are weighed" should inspire us to live with integrity and righteousness. Every thought, word, and deed is known to Him, prompting a life lived for His approval rather than human applause.
  • Trust in Divine Justice: For those who face injustice or are oppressed by the proud, this verse offers immense comfort. It assures us that God sees all, knows all, and will ultimately bring about perfect justice in His time. We can rest in His unfailing discernment, knowing that Psalm 139:1-4 speaks to God's intimate knowledge of all our ways.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 8:13

    The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

  • 1 Kings 8:39

    Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, [even] thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

  • Proverbs 24:12

    If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?

  • Jude 1:15

    ¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

  • Hebrews 4:12

    For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

  • Proverbs 16:2

    ¶ All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
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