1 Samuel 1:21 Then Elkanah and all his house went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,

◄ 1 Samuel 1:21 ►

New International Version
When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,

New Living Translation
The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the LORD and to keep his vow.

English Standard Version
The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.

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

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

New King James Version
Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow.

New American Standard Bible
Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.

NASB 1995
Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow.

NASB 1977
Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow.

Amplified Bible
Then the man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow.

Christian Standard Bible
When Elkanah and all his household went up to make the annual sacrifice and his vow offering to the LORD,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Elkanah and all his household went up to make the annual sacrifice and his vow offering to the LORD,

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

Contemporary English Version
The next time Elkanah and his family went to offer their yearly sacrifice, he took along a gift that he had promised to give to the LORD.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To keep his vow, Elkanah and his entire household again went to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD.

Good News Translation
The time came again for Elkanah and his family to go to Shiloh and offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and the special sacrifice he had promised.

International Standard Version
Then Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the yearly sacrifice to the LORD and pay his vow.

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

NET Bible
This man Elkanah went up with all his family to make the yearly sacrifice to the LORD and to keep his vow,

New Heart English Bible
The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and to redeem his vow and all the tithes of his land.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

World English Bible
The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and his vow.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the man Elkanah goes up, and all his house, to sacrifice to YHWH the sacrifice of the days, and his vow.

Young's Literal Translation
And the man Elkanah goeth up, and all his house, to sacrifice to Jehovah the sacrifice of the days, and his vow.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the man Elkanah and all his house will go up to sacrifice to Jehovah the sacrifice of days, and his vow.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Elcana her husband went up, and all his house, to offer to the Lord the solemn sacrifice, and his vow.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now her husband Elkanah ascended with his entire house, so that he might immolate to the Lord a solemn sacrifice, with his vow.

New American Bible
The next time her husband Elkanah was going up with the rest of his household to offer the customary sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vows,

New Revised Standard Version
The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the man Hilkanah and all his household went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifices of his vow.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the man Halqanah came up and all his household to sacrifice to LORD JEHOVAH a sacrifice of the days of his vow

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the man Helkana and all his house went up to offer in Selom the yearly sacrifice, and his vows, and all the tithes of his land.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Birth of Samuel
…20So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” 21Then Elkanah and all his house went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, 22but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 12:5-7
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Numbers 30:2
If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Psalm 66:13-14
I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You— / the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress.

Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear, / so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God. / And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”

Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

Leviticus 27:2-8
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, / if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. / Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. ...

Numbers 6:21
This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the LORD for his separation, in addition to whatever else he can afford; he must fulfill whatever vow he makes, according to the law of his separation.”

Deuteronomy 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

Psalm 50:14
Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Psalm 116:14
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.

Jonah 2:9
But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

Acts 18:18
Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.

Acts 21:23-24
Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. / Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.

Treasury of Scripture

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

1 Samuel 1:3
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.

Genesis 18:19
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.

Joshua 24:15
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.

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Annual Effect Elkanah Elka'nah House Household Oath Offer Offering Pay Sacrifice Vow Yearly Year's

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Annual Effect Elkanah Elka'nah House Household Oath Offer Offering Pay Sacrifice Vow Yearly Year's

1 Samuel 1

1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4. He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9. Hannah in grief prays for a child
12. Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19. Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24. She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord

Berean Study Bible

Then the man Elkanah
The name "Elkanah" in Hebrew means "God has created" or "God has possessed." Elkanah is a significant figure in the narrative, representing a devout and faithful man who leads his family in worship. His actions set the stage for the birth of Samuel, a pivotal prophet in Israel's history. Elkanah's role as a leader in his household underscores the importance of spiritual leadership within the family unit, a principle that resonates throughout Scripture.

and all his house
This phrase indicates that Elkanah's entire household participated in the pilgrimage to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located. In ancient Israel, the family was the central unit of society, and religious observance was a communal activity. This collective participation highlights the communal nature of worship and the importance of family unity in spiritual practices. It also reflects the biblical principle that faith is to be lived out in community, not in isolation.

went up
The phrase "went up" is often used in Scripture to describe a journey to a place of worship, particularly Jerusalem or, in this context, Shiloh. This upward movement signifies not only a physical ascent but also a spiritual elevation, as worshippers draw nearer to God. The act of going up to worship is a reminder of the pilgrim nature of the believer's journey, always moving towards a closer relationship with the Divine.

to offer the annual sacrifice
The "annual sacrifice" refers to the regular offerings made by the Israelites as prescribed in the Law of Moses. These sacrifices were acts of obedience and devotion, symbolizing atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication to God. The regularity of these sacrifices underscores the importance of consistent worship and the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision in the life of the believer.

to the LORD
The use of "LORD" in all capital letters signifies the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God. This name emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. Offering sacrifices to Yahweh was an act of covenantal faithfulness, recognizing His authority and expressing trust in His providential care.

and to fulfill his vow
A vow in the biblical context is a solemn promise made to God, often in response to His blessings or as a plea for His intervention. Elkanah's commitment to fulfill his vow demonstrates integrity and faithfulness, qualities that are highly valued in Scripture. This act of fulfilling a vow is a testament to the seriousness with which one should approach promises made to God, reflecting a heart of gratitude and reverence.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) And his vow.--Elkanah too had vowed a vow unto the Lord, in case his wife Hannah should have a son. It has been remarked that vows are characteristic of that particular age of the Judges; for instance, we have detailed accounts of Samson and Jephthan's vows, the oath in the Benjamite vow, &c.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 21. - Elkanah... went up. When at the return of the year Elkanah went up as usual to Shiloh, Hannah remained at home, purposing to wait there till her son was old enough to be given to the Lord. This followed soon after his weaning, which in the East is delayed much longer than with us. In 2 Macc. 7:27 we find three years mentioned as the usual period of lactation, but the chief Jewish authorities make the time one year shorter. At three years old a child in the East would cease to be troublesome; but besides this, there was an order of women attached to the sanctuary (see on 1 Samuel 2:22), and probably regulations for the training of children devoted to the temple service. The yearly sacrifice, lit. "sacrifice of days," would include among its duties the carrying to Shiloh of the tithes which were to be consumed before the Lord (Deuteronomy 12:17, 18), and the payment of those portions of the produce which belonged to Jehovah and the priests, and had become due during the year. His vow shows that Elkanah had ratified Hannah's words, by adding thereto a thank-offering from himself. At Shiloh Samuel was to abide forever; his dedication was to be for his whole life. And when Elkanah prays, Only the Lord establish his word, it is evident that he and Hannah expected that a child born under such special circumstances would, like so many children of mothers long barren, be intended for some extraordinary work. The word of Jehovah referred to is that spoken by Eli in ver. 17, which contained not merely the assurance of the birth of a son, but a general confirmation and approval of all that Hannah had prayed for. In ver. 24 the Septuagint reads, "a bullock of three years old," probably on account of the one bullock mentioned in ver. 25; but as three-tenths of an ephah of flour formed the appointed meat offering for one bullock (Numbers 15:8-10), the mention of a whole ephah confirms the reading three bullocks. Probably the one bullock in ver. 25 was the special burnt offering accompanying the solemn dedication of Samuel to Jehovah's service, while the other two were for Elkanah's usual yearly sacrifice, and the thank offering which he had vowed. At the end of the verse the Hebrews reads, "And the child was a child," the word in both places being na'ar, which may mean anything up to fifteen years of age. The child really was about three years old, and the Sept. is probably right in reading, "And the child was with them." Both the Vulgate, however, and the Syriac agree with the Hebrew.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Elkanah
אֶלְקָנָ֖ה (’el·qā·nāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 511: Elkanah -- 'God has created', the name of several Israelites

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his house
בֵּית֑וֹ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

went up
וַיַּ֛עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to make
לִזְבֹּ֧חַ (liz·bō·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

the annual
הַיָּמִ֖ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

sacrifice
זֶ֥בַח (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and [to fulfill]
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

his vow,
נִדְרֽוֹ׃ (niḏ·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised

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OT History: 1 Samuel 1:21 The man Elkanah and all his house (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)