1 Samuel 2 28

1 Samuel 2:28 kjv

And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

1 Samuel 2:28 nkjv

Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?

1 Samuel 2:28 niv

I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor's family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites.

1 Samuel 2:28 esv

Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.

1 Samuel 2:28 nlt

I chose your ancestor Aaron from among all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the priestly vest as he served me. And I assigned the sacrificial offerings to you priests.

1 Samuel 2 verses

1 Samuel 2 28 Meaning

1 Samuel 2:28 recounts God's sovereign establishment of the Levitical priesthood, specifically designating Eli's ancestral house to fulfill sacred duties and be sustained by divine provisions. This verse highlights the profound privileges bestowed upon the Aaronic line: the honor of being God's priests, the specific responsibilities of offering sacrifices, burning incense, and consulting God via the ephod, and the accompanying divine promise of receiving specific portions of the offerings made by the children of Israel. It serves as a stark reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and the sacred trust He had placed in the priestly line, which Eli and his sons were now gravely failing to uphold.

1 Samuel 2 28 Context

This verse is spoken by a "man of God"—an unnamed prophet—to Eli the high priest. It functions as a powerful prophetic rebuke and a divine indictment against Eli and his wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Prior to this, the narrative has highlighted the utter corruption of Eli's sons, who "did not know the LORD" (1 Sam 2:12), abused their priestly office by taking portions of sacrifices unlawfully (1 Sam 2:13-17), and committed immorality at the door of the tent of meeting (1 Sam 2:22). Eli, though warned, failed to restrain them effectively (1 Sam 2:23-25).

Therefore, 1 Samuel 2:28 sets the stage for God's impending judgment. By recalling His gracious and deliberate election of Eli's lineage, the Lord underscores the magnitude of their sin: they had utterly disgraced a sacred covenant, violated God's commands, and defiled the very sanctuary and provisions God had generously established for them. The verse contrasts God's enduring faithfulness in choosing and providing for His priests with the profound unfaithfulness of those called to serve Him. It prepares the reader for the pronouncements of judgment that follow, namely, the removal of the priesthood from Eli's house and its transfer to a faithful priest.

1 Samuel 2 28 Word analysis

• And I chose him: The Hebrew word bachar (בָּחַר) denotes a deliberate, selective act of divine choice. This is not a random occurrence but a sovereign, purposeful election. God's action here establishes the covenant basis of the priesthood, emphasizing divine initiative rather than human merit. It highlights the exclusivity and holiness of the priestly calling.
• out of all the tribes of Israel: This phrase emphasizes the singular nature of the choice. From twelve tribes, only one—Levi—was set apart for the sanctuary service, and specifically, the descendants of Aaron from that tribe were designated for the priesthood. This stresses the unique divine appointment and the exclusion of all others from this sacred role.
• to be My priest: Hebrew kohen li (כֹּהֵן לִי). The term kohen (כֹּהֵן) means "priest." The suffix "My" (li) signifies direct divine ownership and relationship. The priest functions as a mediator between God and humanity, representing humanity before God in worship and sacrifice, and representing God to humanity through instruction and blessing. This was a position of immense spiritual authority and responsibility, serving God exclusively.
• to offer upon My altar: Hebrew la'alot al mizbechi (לַעֲל֤וֹת עַל־מִזְבְּחִי). "To offer" (lit. "to go up") refers to bringing offerings and sacrifices to be burnt on the altar. The "altar" (mizbeach) was the central place of sacrifice in the tabernacle, and later the temple, symbolizing atonement and communion with God. The possessive "My" underscores that the altar, its function, and the sacrifices belong to God, underscoring the sacrilege committed by those who defiled them.
• to burn incense: Hebrew lehaqtir qetoret (לְהַקְטִ֣יר קְטֹֽרֶת). The burning of incense (qetoret) on the golden altar (Exd 30:7-8) was a sacred daily ritual associated with prayer, intercession, and the presence of God (Psa 141:2, Rev 8:3-4). This duty represented bringing the worship and prayers of Israel before God, signifying divine access.
• and to wear an ephod before Me: Hebrew lashe'et ephod lefanay (וְלָשֵׂאת֩ אֵפ֨וֹד לְפָנַ֜י). The "ephod" was a distinctive priestly garment worn by the high priest, featuring two onyx stones on its shoulder pieces with the names of the tribes, and crucially, containing the Urim and Thummim in its breastpiece for divine consultation and discerning God's will (Exd 28:4, 6, 15, 30). "Before Me" signifies serving in God's immediate presence, implying access to divine counsel and responsibility for guidance. Eli's sons' lack of seeking God's will through the ephod contributed to their unfaithfulness.
• and I gave to the house of your father all the offerings by fire made by the children of Israel: Hebrew kol-ishei Bnei Yisra'el natatti leveit avikha (וְאֶת־כָּל־אִשֵּׁ֛י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל נָתַ֥תִּי לְבֵית־אָבִֽיךָ). This details God's divine provision and inheritance for the priests. "Offerings by fire" (ishei - lit. "fires" or "portions by fire") refer to those parts of the sacrifices that were brought to the altar, of which the priests were allotted a portion (e.g., Lev 6:16; 7:34). The phrase "I gave" signifies divine grant and covenant promise, emphasizing that these provisions were God's gracious endowment, not something to be seized or manipulated. This was the means by which priests and their families were sustained, as they had no land inheritance among the tribes (Num 18:20, Deu 18:1). Eli's sons violated this provision by greedily taking the best parts of the sacrifices before they were properly offered to God (1 Sam 2:13-17).

1 Samuel 2 28 Bonus section

The "man of God" who delivers this message is an unheralded prophet. His sudden appearance emphasizes that God does not leave Himself without a witness, and His word transcends the formal channels when those channels are corrupt. This brief prophetic interlude before Samuel's prominent prophetic ministry highlights God's constant engagement with His people, even when leadership is failing.

The emphasis on "My altar" and "My priest" subtly reinforces divine ownership and ultimate authority. Eli and his sons, by defiling the priesthood, were directly insulting God. This theological precision explains why their punishment was so severe and involved the removal of their lineage from the high priestly office. The sacred roles and provisions were for God's glory and the people's holiness, not for the personal gain or indulgence of those who served.

1 Samuel 2 28 Commentary

1 Samuel 2:28 powerfully articulates the sacred foundation of the Aaronic priesthood, established solely by God's sovereign choice. It serves as the bedrock upon which the subsequent prophetic indictment of Eli and his sons rests. God had bestowed upon Eli's house an extraordinary privilege: direct access and dedicated service to Him through specific, holy duties—offering sacrifices that covered sin, burning incense that symbolized communion and prayer, and wearing the ephod for divine counsel. Crucially, God also provided for their sustenance through portions of the very sacrifices the Israelites brought, ensuring their livelihood without them needing a worldly inheritance.

This verse therefore lays bare the egregious nature of Eli and his sons' sin. They were not just any common Israelite sinning, but custodians of the most sacred trust. They had profaned the holy, misused their access, despised the provisions, and effectively dishonored God Himself by treating His worship and sacred space with contempt and greed. God's recall of His initial grace and provisions highlights the deep ingratitude and blatant disregard shown by the very individuals called to facilitate the people's worship. This divine disappointment naturally leads to severe consequences: the prophesied downfall of Eli's priestly house and the promise of raising a "faithful priest" (1 Sam 2:35), foreshadowing a new era of spiritual leadership rooted in obedience and honor to God, ultimately culminating in Christ, the great High Priest.