Bible Strands
1 Samuel 2:18
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator describes Samuel serving in the sanctuary during Eli’s priesthood, positioned between the account of Eli’s sons’ contempt for offerings and the annual visit of Samuel’s mother.
The words — The Hebrew term מְשָׁרֵת (me.sha.Ret) denotes active service or attendance, while חָגוּר (cha.Gur) literally means girded or bound.
The thread — This description of a boy in an ephod recurs in 1 Samuel 3:1 and echoes the priestly vestments prescribed in Exodus 28:4.
Why it lands — The text places a child in priestly service without commentary, requiring the reader to observe the contrast between youthful devotion and the corrupt priesthood surrounding him.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
Cross-references
- Exodus 28:4 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.
- 1 Samuel 3:1 And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.
- 1 Samuel 2:11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy began ministering to the LORD before Eli the priest.
- 2 Samuel 6:14 And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,
- 1 Samuel 22:18 So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
- Leviticus 8:7 He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him.
- 1 Samuel 2:28 And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.
- 1 Chronicles 15:27 Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.