1 Samuel 2:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Hannah's profound prayer in 1 Samuel 2:3 serves as a powerful declaration of God's sovereign character, contrasting human pride with divine omniscience and justice. It sternly warns against boastful and arrogant speech, asserting that the Lord possesses perfect and comprehensive knowledge of all things, including the hidden intentions of the heart, and meticulously weighs every human action, ensuring ultimate accountability and righteous judgment. This verse encapsulates a foundational truth about God's nature as the ultimate discerner and judge of humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Hannah's magnificent prayer of thanksgiving and prophecy, recorded in [1 Samuel 2:1-10](/1_samuel/2-1-10 "1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Hannah's Prayer"). Following the miraculous birth of Samuel and his dedication to the Lord at Shiloh, Hannah pours out her heart in a song that transcends personal gratitude, moving to a universal declaration of God's character. Her prayer anticipates a dramatic reversal of fortunes where the proud are humbled and the humble exalted. [Verse 3](/1_samuel/2-3 "1 Samuel 2:3 - God's Knowledge and Justice") specifically addresses the folly of human arrogance, setting the stage for the narrative's unfolding themes of divine justice and the downfall of the wicked, particularly foreshadowing the eventual judgment on Eli's corrupt sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who "did not know the LORD" as described in [1 Samuel 2:12](/1_samuel/2-12 "1 Samuel 2:12 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hannah's prayer emerges from a period of significant moral and spiritual decline in Israel, during the time of the judges and the nascent stages of the monarchy. The priestly house of Eli at Shiloh, despite its sacred role, was marred by the wickedness of his sons, who abused their positions and despised the Lord's offerings, as detailed in [1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12-17 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Sins of Eli's Sons"). This context of corruption and spiritual decay provides a stark backdrop for Hannah's declaration of God's perfect knowledge and justice. The cultural understanding of justice often involved public pronouncements and visible consequences, and the imagery of "weighing actions" would have resonated with ancient legal and commercial practices where scales were used for precise measurement, symbolizing fairness and accountability.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 2:3](/1_samuel/2-3 "1 Samuel 2:3 - God's Knowledge and Justice") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Samuel. Firstly, it establishes the **sovereignty of God** over human affairs, asserting that He is the ultimate arbiter of destiny and justice, not human power or pride. Secondly, it highlights the **contrast between human arrogance and divine wisdom**, a theme that will be vividly illustrated through the rise of humble figures like Samuel and David, and the fall of proud ones like Saul. Thirdly, the verse underscores the theme of ** divine knowledge and judgment**, emphasizing that God sees beyond outward appearances and evaluates the heart and true intentions of individuals. This foundational truth sets the stage for the unfolding narrative where God's righteous judgment is demonstrated against those who defy Him, and His favor is shown to those who walk in humility and obedience, as seen in the ultimate judgment upon Eli's house in [1 Samuel 2:34-36](/1_samuel/2-34-36 "1 Samuel 2:34-36 - Prophecy Against Eli's House").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Proudly (Hebrew, _gâbôahh'_):** From H1364, this adjective describes something elevated or elated. When applied to humans, it signifies an arrogant, haughty, or insolent disposition. In this context, used idiomatically as "exceeding proudly," it refers to an inflated sense of self-importance that disregards God's authority and others' dignity, leading to boastful and contemptuous speech.
* **Arrogancy (Hebrew, _ʻâthâq'_):** From H6277, this noun denotes something "hard," "stubborn," or "impudent." When referring to speech, it implies presumptuous, defiant, or outrageous talk that challenges divine authority or mocks the righteous. It's not merely pride but an aggressive, unbridled self-assertion that borders on blasphemy or contempt for God's ways.
* **Knowledge (Hebrew, _dêʻâh'_):** From H1844, this feminine noun emphasizes the totality, perfection, and depth of God's understanding. Used in the unique divine title "‘Ēl Dē‘ōt" (God of knowledge), it implies not just intellectual comprehension but an intimate, comprehensive awareness of all things—past, present, future, visible, invisible, and especially the hidden motives and intentions of the human heart. It signifies omniscience in its fullest sense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth":** This opening imperative serves as a direct admonition against boastful and insolent speech. Hannah, speaking prophetically, condemns the human tendency towards self-exaltation and defiant words. The doubling of terms for pride ("proudly," "arrogancy") intensifies the warning, highlighting the severe nature of such verbal expressions that stem from a haughty heart. It implies that such speech is not only offensive but ultimately futile in the face of divine reality.
* **"for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge":** This clause provides the foundational reason for the preceding command. God's perfect and comprehensive knowledge (His omniscience), denoted by the unique title "‘Ēl Dē‘ōt" (H410, H1844), renders human pride and boasting utterly foolish. Because God knows all things—every secret, every motive, every intention—any attempt to deceive Him or to act as if one's deeds are unseen is futile. This divine attribute establishes God as the ultimate discerner of truth and falsehood, humility and arrogance.
* **"and by him actions are weighed":** This final clause emphasizes God's role as the righteous Judge. The imagery of "weighing" (H8505) evokes a set of scales, symbolizing precise and impartial evaluation. It signifies that God meticulously assesses the moral quality, true intent, and ultimate impact of every human action (H5949), not just their outward appearance or perceived success. This ensures ultimate accountability and guarantees that divine justice will prevail, with every deed receiving its just recompense.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Samuel 2:3](/1_samuel/2-3 "1 Samuel 2:3 - God's Knowledge and Justice") employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, sharply contrasting human pride and arrogant speech with God's perfect knowledge and just judgment. This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, underscoring the futility of human self-exaltation. **Metaphor** is evident in "actions are weighed," which vividly portrays God as a meticulous judge using scales, a common ancient symbol for justice and fairness. This imagery transforms an abstract concept of judgment into a concrete, relatable process. The use of **Imperative Mood** ("Talk no more," "let not") lends a strong, authoritative tone to Hannah's prophetic utterance, making it a direct command rather than a mere suggestion. Finally, the unique divine title **"God of knowledge"** (Hebrew: _‘Ēl Dē‘ōt_) functions as a **Theological Statement**, encapsulating a profound truth about God's nature in a concise, memorable phrase, serving as the theological bedrock for the verse's admonitions and assurances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Samuel 2:3](/1_samuel/2-3 "1 Samuel 2:3 - God's Knowledge and Justice") serves as a foundational declaration of God's omniscience and His role as the ultimate Judge, establishing a core theological principle that permeates both the Old and New Testaments. It highlights the inherent conflict between human pride and divine sovereignty, asserting that true wisdom and security are found not in self-exaltation but in acknowledging God's perfect knowledge and submitting to His righteous evaluation. This verse implicitly teaches that all human actions, whether public or private, are transparent before God, ensuring that no deed, good or evil, will escape His notice or ultimate reckoning. It provides comfort to the oppressed, assuring them that God sees their plight, and a stern warning to the arrogant, reminding them of impending judgment.

* [Proverbs 16:2](/proverbs/16-2 "Proverbs 16:2 - God Weighs the Heart")
* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omnipresence and Omniscience")
* [Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God Judges the Secrets of Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Samuel 2:3](/1_samuel/2-3 "1 Samuel 2:3 - God's Knowledge and Justice") calls believers to a profound posture of humility and integrity in light of God's perfect knowledge and ultimate justice. In a world that often celebrates self-promotion and outward appearances, Hannah's prophetic word reminds us that true worth and lasting significance are determined by God's discerning eye, not by human applause or self-aggrandizement. This verse challenges us to examine our words and motives, recognizing that our speech often reveals the true condition of our hearts. Understanding that "actions are weighed" by the Lord should inspire a life lived with intentional righteousness, seeking His approval above all else. It offers immense comfort to those who feel unseen or unjustly treated, assuring them that God, the ultimate Judge, knows every detail and will bring about perfect justice in His time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God is a "God of knowledge" impact your daily choices and conversations?**
* **In what ways might "arrogancy" subtly manifest in your own words or attitudes, and how can you cultivate a more humble spirit?**
* **How does the assurance that God "weighs actions" provide comfort or challenge to you in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "the LORD is a God of knowledge"?**

Answer: This phrase, using the unique Hebrew title "‘Ēl Dē‘ōt," signifies God's absolute and perfect omniscience. It means that God possesses complete, comprehensive, and intimate understanding of everything—all facts, all events, all thoughts, all intentions, and all hidden motives. Nothing is hidden from Him, whether in the past, present, or future. This knowledge is not merely intellectual; it is a profound, discerning awareness that includes the deepest secrets of the human heart, as beautifully articulated in [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Intimate Knowledge"). It is the basis for His righteous judgment and His ability to govern the universe with perfect wisdom.

**How does "by him actions are weighed" relate to divine justice?**

Answer: The imagery of "actions are weighed" is a powerful metaphor for God's precise and impartial judgment. It means that God meticulously evaluates the moral quality, true intent, and ultimate impact of every human deed. Like a skilled merchant using scales to ensure fairness, God assesses not just the outward appearance of an action but the heart and motives behind it, as [Proverbs 16:2](/proverbs/16-2 "Proverbs 16:2 - The Lord Weighs the Spirits") affirms. This concept assures us that divine justice is not arbitrary or superficial; it is perfectly accurate and comprehensive. It implies ultimate accountability for all humanity and guarantees that every good deed will be rewarded and every evil deed will face its just recompense, either in this life or in the life to come, a truth echoed in [Romans 2:6-8](/romans/2-6-8 "Romans 2:6-8 - God Will Repay Each Person According to What They Have Done").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Samuel 2:3](/1_samuel/2-3 "1 Samuel 2:3 - God's Knowledge and Justice"), with its declaration of God as a "God of knowledge" by whom "actions are weighed," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of divine knowledge and the perfect standard by which all actions are measured. As the Word made flesh, Jesus perfectly reveals the Father's omniscience, knowing the thoughts and intentions of hearts, as demonstrated in passages like [Matthew 9:4](/matthew/9-4 "Matthew 9:4 - Jesus Knew Their Thoughts") and [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People"). Furthermore, the weighing of actions culminates in Christ, who is appointed by the Father as the ultimate Judge of the living and the dead, a truth proclaimed in [Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge") and [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Entrusted All Judgment to the Son"). While human actions are indeed weighed against God's perfect standard, the good news of the Gospel is that through faith in Christ, our sins are atoned for, and we are clothed in His righteousness, as powerfully stated in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Thus, the terrifying prospect of our actions being weighed is transformed for believers into an assurance of grace and justification, because Christ perfectly fulfilled the demands of God's justice on our behalf, allowing us to stand righteous before the God of knowledge.

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

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.