Bible Strands
1 Samuel 2:29
Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God confronts Eli for failing to restrain his sons from seizing sacrificial portions, following the description of priestly abuses and the prior declaration of Eli’s house being chosen for the priesthood (1 Samuel 2:28).
The words — The Hebrew תִבְעֲטוּ (tivʿaṭû) literally means "do you kick," describing rebellious contempt toward God’s prescribed sacrifices and offerings (זִבְחִי וּבְמִנְחָתִי). The verb וַתְּכַבֵּד (vatteḵabbēd) translates as "you honored," indicating Eli’s preferential treatment of his sons over divine commands.
The thread — This imagery of spiritual rebellion through "kicking" parallels Deuteronomy 32:15’s account of Jeshurun growing fat and abandoning God. The warning against elevating family allegiance above divine authority reappears in Matthew 10:37.
Why it lands — The text states that Eli dishonored God by allowing his sons to consume the best offerings meant for the sanctuary. Readers must evaluate whether they submit to God’s prescribed worship or prioritize personal and familial preferences over divine authority.
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
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
Cross-references
- Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.
- 1 Samuel 2:13 or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling
- Ezekiel 34:2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock?
- Malachi 1:12 “But you profane it when you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is contemptible.’
- Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
- Deuteronomy 12:5 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.
- Micah 3:5 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:
- Leviticus 19:15 You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
- Deuteronomy 33:9 He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.