1 Samuel 1:21

And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

And the man {H376} Elkanah {H511}, and all his house {H1004}, went up {H5927} to offer {H2076} unto the LORD {H3068} the yearly {H3117} sacrifice {H2077}, and his vow {H5088}.

The husband, Elkanah, went up with all his household to offer the yearly sacrifice to ADONAI and fulfill his vow.

Then Elkanah and all his house went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,

And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto Jehovah the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

Commentary

1 Samuel 1:21 introduces us to the consistent piety of Elkanah, the father of the prophet Samuel, and provides a glimpse into the religious practices of ancient Israel.

Context

This verse follows the introduction of Elkanah's family and the difficult situation of his wife, Hannah, who was barren. Elkanah's annual journey to Shiloh, the central place of worship where the tabernacle was located, highlights a faithful adherence to the Mosaic Law. Shiloh served as the religious hub for Israel before the establishment of the monarchy and the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. The "yearly sacrifice" was a regular pilgrimage, likely including the three prescribed annual feasts where all males were to appear before the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:16).

Key Themes

  • Consistent Devotion: Elkanah's actions demonstrate a pattern of faithful worship and adherence to God's commands, bringing his entire household along. This showcases a commitment to instilling spiritual discipline within his family.
  • Fulfillment of Vows: The mention of "his vow" (Hebrew: nidro) indicates Elkanah's personal commitment to the Lord, beyond the communal sacrifices. While the specific nature of this vow isn't detailed here, it underscores the importance of promises made to God in ancient Israelite faith. This prepares the reader for Hannah's significant vow later in the chapter.
  • The Centrality of Worship: The journey to Shiloh emphasizes that corporate worship and offering sacrifices were integral to the Israelite covenant relationship with God. It was a time for national and personal remembrance of God's provisions and promises.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "yearly sacrifice" translates the Hebrew zebach hayyamim, literally "sacrifice of the days," signifying a regular, annual offering. "His vow," nidro, refers to a solemn promise made to God, which carried significant weight and was expected to be fulfilled. This sets a precedent for the importance of vows, especially relevant as the narrative progresses to Hannah's profound vow regarding Samuel.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of consistent, intentional worship and the fulfillment of commitments made to God. Elkanah's example encourages believers today to prioritize spiritual disciplines, engage in corporate worship, and lead their households in devotion. It highlights that true faith is often demonstrated through regular, sometimes difficult, acts of obedience and devotion, not just in moments of crisis or special need. Just as Elkanah faithfully went up to offer his yearly sacrifice, so too are believers called to a life of sustained faithfulness and integrity in their promises to God.

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

  • 1 Samuel 1:3 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 12:11 (3 votes)

    Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

  • Joshua 24:15 (2 votes)

    ¶ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

  • Genesis 18:19 (1 votes)

    For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

  • Psalms 101:2 (1 votes)

    I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.