Bible Strands
1 Samuel 2:20
And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.” Then they would go home.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Eli speaks to Elkanah and his wife immediately after Hannah dedicates Samuel to the LORD and returns home. He delivers the blessing following the annual sacrifice when the couple prepares to depart.
The words — The Hebrew verb בֵרַ֨ךְ (ve.Rakh) translates literally as "he blessed," while יָשֵׂם֩ (ya.Sem) means "may he appoint" or "grant." These terms frame the priestly pronouncement over the couple's future fertility.
The thread — This blessing pattern echoes the priestly benedictions in Genesis 14:19 and the prophetic declarations in Luke 2:34. The narrative fulfillment appears in 1 Samuel 2:21, where the LORD directly answers the prayer by granting Hannah additional children.
Why it lands — The text records a priestly pronouncement of replacement fertility that shifts focus from ritual dedication to divine provision. It requires the reader to observe how spoken blessings in Scripture function as narrative markers of God’s subsequent actions rather than automatic guarantees.
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
And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 1:27 I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,
- Luke 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
- Genesis 14:19 and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
- Genesis 27:27 So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.
- Numbers 6:23 “Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
- Ruth 2:12 May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
- Ruth 4:11 “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”