1 Samuel 3:21 kjv
And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
1 Samuel 3:21 nkjv
Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
1 Samuel 3:21 niv
The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
1 Samuel 3:21 esv
And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
1 Samuel 3:21 nlt
The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.
1 Samuel 3 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:7 | Then the LORD appeared to Abram... | God initiates revelation to patriarchs. |
| Gen 15:1 | The word of the LORD came to Abram... | "Word of the Lord" as a mode of direct revelation. |
| Ex 3:2 | The angel of the LORD appeared to him... | Divine manifestation at Moses' call. |
| Num 12:6 | If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. | God reveals Himself through various means to prophets. |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a prophet... and I will put my words in his mouth... | God's promise to raise up a prophet and speak through him. |
| 1 Sam 3:1 | Now the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. | Contrast to the preceding period of spiritual barrenness. |
| 1 Sam 3:7 | Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. | Explains Samuel's prior ignorance before this specific revelation. |
| 1 Sam 3:10 | And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel, Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” | God directly speaks to Samuel, establishing communication. |
| 1 Sam 3:19 | Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. | God confirms Samuel's prophetic ministry. |
| 1 Sam 3:20 | And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. | Confirmation of Samuel's prophetic authority. |
| 1 Kgs 13:20 | Then the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back... | Example of "word of the Lord" bringing specific messages. |
| 1 Kgs 17:2 | Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Depart from here..." | "Word of the Lord" directing prophets' actions. |
| Ps 78:60-61 | He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind, and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe. | Reference to Shiloh's future judgment and God abandoning it. |
| Ps 115:5-7 | They have mouths, but do not speak... They have ears, but do not hear... | Polemic against mute idols vs. the speaking God. |
| Isa 55:11 | So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty... | The power and efficacy of God's word. |
| Jer 1:2 | The word of the LORD came to him... | Prophetic commission by God's word to Jeremiah. |
| Jer 7:12 | Go now to My place which was in Shiloh... | God reminds Israel of His judgment on Shiloh due to their disobedience. |
| Ezek 1:3 | the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest... | God's word initiating prophetic ministry. |
| Amos 3:7 | For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets. | God reveals His plans to His chosen messengers. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son... | God's progressive and varied revelation through history. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness... | God's revelation as authoritative and inspired scripture. |
| Acts 4:29-31 | ...grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness... | God's word empowered in the New Testament church. |
1 Samuel 3 verses
1 Samuel 3 21 Meaning
This verse states that God consistently revealed Himself at Shiloh, specifically to Samuel, and highlights that this revelation occurred "by the word of the Lord." It summarizes the process and means by which Samuel became established as a true prophet. The verse emphasizes divine initiative and the critical role of God's spoken word as the primary medium of revelation to His chosen messenger, preparing Samuel to become a widely recognized prophet for Israel.
1 Samuel 3 21 Context
This verse acts as a summation of the narrative in 1 Samuel chapter 3, detailing the divine calling of Samuel. Prior to this, the narrative describes a period where "the word of the Lord was rare; there was no frequent vision" (1 Sam 3:1), indicating spiritual decline and a lack of divine communication through established channels. The priests, particularly Eli's sons, were corrupt, bringing disrepute to the sanctuary at Shiloh. Into this spiritual void, God supernaturally calls the young Samuel, initially a temple attendant. The chapter recounts God's direct voice speaking to Samuel multiple times, culminating in Samuel understanding the source of the voice and God revealing a severe judgment against Eli's house. Verse 21 confirms the continuing and personal nature of God's revelation to Samuel, establishing him as the true and reliable conduit for God's word in an era of prophetic silence and moral decay. Shiloh, the location of the Tabernacle and central place of worship, becomes the setting for this renewal of divine communication through Samuel.
1 Samuel 3 21 Word analysis
And (וַיֹּ֣סֶף - vayyoseph): This conjunctive suggests continuity or repetition. It's from the verb yāsap, meaning "to add, continue, do again." Here, it indicates God continued or repeated His appearance, signifying a sustained relationship and not just a one-time event, building on the initial encounters in chapter 3.
the Lord (יְהוָ֑ה - YHWH): The covenant name of God (Yahweh), emphasizing His personal, relational, and active presence. This is the same God who established covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and redeemed Israel from Egypt, actively intervening in human history.
appeared (נִרְאָ֛ה - nir'ah): The Niphal stem of the verb ra'ah ("to see"), meaning "to be seen," "to appear," or "to show oneself." This denotes a divine initiative, God actively making Himself visible or perceptible. It signifies a genuine manifestation, not a dream or vision in the mind, but an external, objective appearance.
again (וַיֹּ֣סֶף... נִרְאָ֛ה - vayyoseph... nir'ah): The combination of "and he added to appear" strongly means "He appeared again." It highlights that this was not an isolated incident but a continuation of divine engagement with Samuel and the restoration of regular prophetic revelation.
at Shiloh (בְּשִׁלֹ֔ו - beShilo): Shiloh was the central religious site where the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary housing the Ark of the Covenant, was located (Josh 18:1). It signifies God's presence among His people at the designated place of worship, though the state of worship there was corrupted by Eli's sons. This reiterates that even amidst the spiritual decay of the priesthood, God’s presence remained, and He raised up a new, faithful instrument there.
for (כִּ֣י - ki): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement. It clarifies how God appeared and what distinguished this revelation.
the Lord (יְהוָ֔ה - YHWH): Repetition of the divine name underscores God as the subject and active agent of the revelation.
revealed himself (נִגְלָ֧ה - niglah): The Niphal stem of the verb galah ("to uncover," "to reveal," "to make bare"). This implies a drawing back of a veil, an unveiling of what was hidden. It is a powerful term for divine self-disclosure, indicating a deliberate act by God to make Himself known to Samuel.
to Samuel (אֶל־שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל - el Shmuel): Explicitly states the recipient of the revelation. This is significant because it marks Samuel as God's chosen medium and the direct object of God's special communication, setting him apart from Eli's corrupt house.
at Shiloh (בְּשִׁלֹ֖ו - beShilo): Reiterates the specific location, underscoring the connection between God's revelation, His appointed messenger, and His sanctuary, despite the problems at Shiloh.
by the word (בִּדְבַ֥ר - bidvar): This prepositional phrase, with davar (word), specifies the means of revelation. "Davar" encompasses not just spoken words but also messages, commands, or even events as a result of God's decree. It emphasizes the prophetic nature of Samuel's calling.
of the Lord (יְהוָֽה׃ - YHWH): Identifies the origin and authority of the "word." This is a profound statement: God revealed Himself through His own words. Samuel did not have visions independent of God's spoken word; the word was the revelation. This links Samuel directly to the authoritative word of God and established him as a prophet of the spoken word, unlike, for example, a seer who might primarily receive visions.
"And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh": This phrase signals a renewed, continuous divine presence at Shiloh, even amidst spiritual decline. It marks the shift from a time of rare visions (1 Sam 3:1) to a consistent manifestation of God's active involvement, specifically connected to the unfolding ministry of Samuel.
"for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord": This clause provides the reason or means for the Lord's continuing appearance. It is a powerful statement about the nature of God's revelation to Samuel: it was a direct, unveiled disclosure that primarily occurred through divine speech. This chiastic structure (Lord… Samuel… Word of the Lord) places emphasis on the divine "Word" as the instrumental means of revelation, establishing Samuel's role as a true prophet, a spokesman for God’s authoritative voice. It sets the pattern for his future ministry.
1 Samuel 3 21 Bonus section
The phrasing "by the word of the Lord" (בִּדְבַ֥ר יְהוָֽה - bidvar YHWH) is extremely significant for understanding the nature of biblical prophecy and God's interaction with humanity. Unlike pagan deities who might be consulted through omens, divination, or mystical rites, the God of Israel reveals Himself through direct, intelligible speech. This "word" (davar) carries divine authority, expresses God's will, and often has creative and executive power (e.g., Ps 33:6, Gen 1:3). For Samuel, this means his authority comes not from his own insights or visions alone, but directly from being a conduit for God's declared pronouncements. This laid the foundation for Samuel's ministry, distinguishing him from the corrupt Eli and his sons, whose prophetic access had diminished, and confirming Samuel as a legitimate and reliable spokesman for the Living God to all Israel. The chiastic structure in the latter part of the verse, "the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord," artistically frames and highlights the centrality of God's authoritative spoken word as the vehicle of revelation.
1 Samuel 3 21 Commentary
1 Samuel 3:21 concisely summarizes and concludes the pivotal account of Samuel’s divine calling. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people even when their spiritual leadership falters, choosing a new, righteous vessel for His communication. The double mention of "the Lord" and "Shiloh" emphasizes God's consistent action within His appointed place, despite human failures. Crucially, the verse specifies that God's revelation to Samuel was "by the word of the Lord." This is paramount; it means God did not merely provide an impression or vision, but actively communicated intelligible, authoritative, and spoken messages. This established Samuel as a unique prophet through whom God would break His recent silence and speak directly to Israel, providing direction, warning, and comfort. Samuel, from this point forward, becomes known as the prophet through whom the word of the Lord flowed unimpeded and effectively.