1 Samuel 1 25

1 Samuel 1:25 kjv

And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

1 Samuel 1:25 nkjv

Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli.

1 Samuel 1:25 niv

When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli,

1 Samuel 1:25 esv

Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.

1 Samuel 1:25 nlt

After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.

1 Samuel 1 verses

1 Samuel 1 25 Meaning

This verse describes the essential actions undertaken by Elkanah and Hannah to fulfill their sacred vow concerning their son, Samuel. It highlights a specific sacrificial ritual, followed by the physical presentation of Samuel to Eli, the High Priest, at the sanctuary in Shiloh. This dual action symbolizes the parents' profound gratitude, their unwavering commitment to God, and the official consecration of Samuel for lifelong service to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1 25 Context

1 Samuel chapter 1 tells the story of Hannah, a barren woman, and her fervent prayer for a son. She makes a solemn vow to the Lord that if He grants her a male child, she would dedicate him to God for his entire life, implying service at the tabernacle. God answers her prayer, and Samuel is born. The immediate context of verse 25 is the journey to Shiloh after Samuel is weaned, to fulfill the vow Hannah made in 1 Samuel 1:11. This act takes place at the central sanctuary, highlighting its religious importance in Israelite life during that period. Historically, this occurs during a time of spiritual decline in Israel, preceding the rise of kingship, making Hannah's personal piety and faithfulness stand out.

1 Samuel 1 25 Word analysis

• Then they slaughtered: Hebrew vayyishḥăṭu (וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ). Derived from the verb shaḥat, meaning "to slaughter" in a sacrificial sense. This is a specific ritual term, not merely an act of killing for food. The plural "they" (Elkanah and Hannah, or their company) indicates their shared participation in this solemn religious observance.
• a bull: Hebrew par (פַּר). This refers to a young bull, a substantial and valuable animal. Offering a bull signifies a significant and costly sacrifice, befitting the momentous nature of dedicating a child for life-long service to God and acknowledging a profound act of divine grace.
• and brought: Hebrew vayyāḇi’û (וַיָּבִאוּ). From the verb bô (to bring or cause to come), indicating direct, purposeful delivery. This act is the physical culmination of Hannah's promise.
• the boy: Hebrew hanna‘ar (הַנַּעַר). This specific Hebrew term for "the boy" indicates Samuel, who was quite young, likely between two and four years old, having just been weaned (1 Sam 1:24). This emphasizes his tender age at the beginning of his service.
• to Eli: Hebrew ’el-‘Eliy (אֶל־עֵלִי). Eli was the High Priest at Shiloh, the chief spiritual authority. Bringing Samuel to Eli meant presenting him formally to the divinely appointed representative for sacred service, signifying his formal consecration to the Lord through the established religious authority.

Words-group analysis

• "Then they slaughtered a bull": This phrase details the sacrificial offering that accompanies the vow's fulfillment. This was likely either a burnt offering for total consecration, a peace offering of thanksgiving, or possibly both, given the significance of Samuel's birth and dedication. The act of sacrifice precedes the presentation of the boy, indicating a ritual purification and dedication as a prerequisite for Samuel's sacred service.
• "and brought the boy to Eli": This signifies the transfer of guardianship from parents to the spiritual head of the sanctuary. Samuel's presence with a "bull" highlights the solemnity of the occasion and the formal handing over of the promised child into a life of temple service. This act represents a complete fulfillment of Hannah's vow, as Samuel is formally presented for the Lord's service under the direct supervision of the high priest.

1 Samuel 1 25 Bonus section

• The ritual described would have been a profoundly emotional and symbolic act for Hannah, as she willingly separated from her young son to fulfill her promise, demonstrating extreme faith and self-sacrifice.
• The sacrifice also provided a means for Elkanah and Hannah to symbolically enter into fellowship with God through the consumption of parts of the peace offering, affirming their relationship and thanksgiving.
• While not explicitly stated to be a Nazirite vow, Samuel’s dedication for life, coupled with the commitment to not cutting his hair (implied from 1 Sam 1:11, though only Samson is explicitly called a Nazirite of the womb in judges), aligns with aspects of separation for God’s special purpose.

1 Samuel 1 25 Commentary

1 Samuel 1:25 concisely presents the climactic fulfillment of Hannah’s sacred vow. The initial act of "slaughtering a bull" points to a solemn sacrifice, typically a peace offering of thanksgiving, an act that underscores the depth of Elkanah and Hannah's gratitude and commitment. Such a valuable offering communicated the extraordinary nature of Samuel’s birth as a divine gift and confirmed the sincerity of their promise. Following this crucial sacrificial preparation, "they brought the boy to Eli," literally entrusting Samuel into the High Priest's care at the tabernacle in Shiloh. This presentation wasn't just a physical handover but a profound spiritual transaction, consecrating Samuel’s entire life to the Lord’s service. This act of absolute obedience and faithfulness from Elkanah and Hannah serves as a profound contrast to the spiritual decay observed among Eli's own sons, establishing a foundational example of true devotion within the burgeoning narrative of Israel's spiritual history. It reveals the core biblical principle of fulfilling one's commitments to God with a costly sacrifice of love and obedience.