1 Samuel 2:28
New International Version
I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor’s family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites.

New Living Translation
I chose your ancestor Aaron from among all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the priestly vest as he served me. And I assigned the sacrificial offerings to you priests.

English Standard Version
Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

New King James Version
Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?

New American Standard Bible
Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?

NASB 1995
Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me; and did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?

NASB 1977
‘And did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me; and did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?

Legacy Standard Bible
And did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me; and did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?

Amplified Bible
Moreover, I selected him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before Me. And [from then on] I gave to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Out of all the tribes of Israel, I chose your house to be my priests, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your forefather’s family all the Israelite food offerings.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Out of all the tribes of Israel, I selected your house to be priests, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave your house all the Israelite fire offerings.

American Standard Version
and did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up unto mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?

English Revised Version
and did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up unto mine altar to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I chose [one of your ancestors] out of all the tribes of Israel to serve as my priest, to sacrifice burnt offerings on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the ephod in my presence. And I gave your ancestors the right to keep portions of the sacrifices that the people of Israel burned on the altar.

Good News Translation
From all the tribes of Israel I chose his family to be my priests, to serve at the altar, to burn the incense, and to wear the ephod to consult me. And I gave them the right to keep a share of the sacrifices burned on the altar.

International Standard Version
that I had chosen him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer up burnt offerings on my altar, burn incense, and carry the ephod in my presence? And did I not give to your ancestors' family all the Israeli fire-offerings?

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
I chose your ancestor from all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifice on my altar, to burn incense, and to bear the ephod before me. I gave to your ancestor's house all the fire offerings made by the Israelites.

New Heart English Bible
And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod. And I gave to the house of your father all the offerings by fire of the children of Israel as food.

Webster's Bible Translation
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give to the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

World English Bible
Didn’t I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? Didn’t I give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
even to choose him out of all the tribes of Israel for a priest for Myself, to go up on My altar, to make incense, to bear an ephod before Me, and I give to the house of your father all the fire-offerings of the sons of Israel?

Young's Literal Translation
even to choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to Me for a priest, to go up on Mine altar, to make a perfume, to bear an ephod before Me, and I give to the house of thy father all the fire-offerings of the sons of Israel?

Smith's Literal Translation
And choosing him from all the tribes of Israel to me for priest, to bring up upon mine altar to burn incense, to lift up the ephod before me; and I gave to the house of thy father all the fires of the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my sitar, and burn incense to me, and to wear the ephod before me: and I gave to thy father's house of all the sacrifices of the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel for myself as priest, so that he might ascend to my altar, and burn incense to me, and wear the ephod before me. And I gave to the house of your father all the sacrifices of the sons of Israel.

New American Bible
I chose them out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priests, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the ephod in my presence; and I assigned all the fire offerings of the Israelites to your father’s house.

New Revised Standard Version
I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to offer incense, to wear an ephod before me; and I gave to the family of your ancestor all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon my altar, to burn incense before me, and to wear an ephod; and I gave to the house of your father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I chose him for myself from all the tribes of Israel to be a Priest that he would offer on my altar, and he would set incense before me and would take up the ephod, and I have given to the house of your father all the gifts of the children of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to go up unto Mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before Me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I chose the house of thy father out of all the tribes of Israel to minister to me in the priest's office, to go up to my altar, and to burn incense, and to wear an ephod. And I gave to the house of thy father all the offerings by fire of the children of Israel for food.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophecy Against the House of Eli
27Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? 28And 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 offerings of the Israelites made by fire. 29Why 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.’…

Cross References
Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

Numbers 18:1-7
So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. / But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. ...

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.

Exodus 29:9
Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.

Leviticus 8:1-13
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Take Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread, / and assemble the whole congregation at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” ...

Numbers 3:10
So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”

Deuteronomy 18:1-5
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them. / This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach. ...

Exodus 30:30
Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 21:1-8
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people, / except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother, / or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband. ...

Numbers 16:5
Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself.

Hebrews 5:4
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

Hebrews 7:11-28
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ...

Hebrews 9:6-10
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Revelation 1:6
who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.


Treasury of Scripture

And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer on my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give to the house of your father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

And did I

Exodus 28:1,4,6-30
And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons…

Exodus 29:4
And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Exodus 39:1
And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.

did I give

Leviticus 2:3,10
And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire…

Leviticus 6:16
And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.

Leviticus 7:7,8,32,34,35
As the sin offering is, so is the trespass offering: there is one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it

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1 Samuel 2
1. Hannah's song in thankfulness
12. The sin of Eli's sons
18. Samuel's ministry
20. by Eli's blessing Hannah is more fruitful
22. Eli reproves his sons
27. A prophecy against Eli's house














And I chose your father
This phrase refers to God's sovereign election of Aaron, the brother of Moses, as the first high priest of Israel. The Hebrew root for "chose" is "בָּחַר" (bachar), which implies a deliberate and purposeful selection. This choice underscores the divine prerogative in establishing the priesthood, emphasizing that it was not a human decision but a divine appointment. Historically, this choice set the foundation for the Levitical priesthood, a lineage tasked with mediating between God and Israel.

out of all the tribes of Israel
The phrase highlights the exclusivity and special nature of the priestly calling. Among the twelve tribes, the tribe of Levi was set apart for religious duties. This separation is significant in the historical context of Israel, as it established a distinct group dedicated to maintaining the spiritual health of the nation. The Levites, and particularly the descendants of Aaron, were entrusted with sacred responsibilities, reinforcing the idea of holiness and consecration.

to be My priest
The role of the priest was central to Israel's worship and relationship with God. The Hebrew word for "priest" is "כֹּהֵן" (kohen), which denotes one who serves in a sacred capacity. Priests acted as intermediaries, offering sacrifices and prayers on behalf of the people. This role was not merely ceremonial but was integral to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, symbolizing purity, dedication, and service.

to offer sacrifices on My altar
Sacrifices were a fundamental aspect of Old Testament worship, serving as a means of atonement and communion with God. The altar, a sacred place of offering, was central to the tabernacle and later the temple. The Hebrew term for "sacrifice" is "זֶבַח" (zevach), which encompasses various offerings, including burnt offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings. These acts of worship were vital for maintaining the covenant and expressing devotion and repentance.

to burn incense
Burning incense was a symbolic act representing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The Hebrew word for "incense" is "קְטֹרֶת" (qetoreth), which was a fragrant offering made on the altar of incense. This practice was a daily ritual, signifying continual prayer and intercession. Incense burning was a reminder of the need for constant communication with God and the priest's role in facilitating this spiritual connection.

and to wear an ephod in My presence
The ephod was a sacred garment worn by the high priest, signifying his unique role and authority. The Hebrew word "אֵפוֹד" (ephod) refers to a richly embroidered vestment, part of the high priest's attire. Wearing the ephod in God's presence symbolized the priest's readiness to serve and his consecration to the divine service. It was a visual representation of the priest's duty to bear the names of the tribes of Israel before the Lord.

I also gave to the house of your father
This phrase indicates God's provision and blessing upon the priestly family. The "house of your father" refers to the descendants of Aaron, who were granted the privilege of receiving portions of the offerings. This provision was both a practical support for the priests and a sign of God's favor and covenant faithfulness.

all the offerings made by fire by the Israelites
Offerings made by fire, or "אִשֶּׁה" (isheh), were sacrifices consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication to God. These offerings included burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings, each with specific purposes and regulations. The priests were entitled to portions of these offerings, ensuring their sustenance and reinforcing their role as God's appointed servants. This system of offerings was central to Israel's worship, reflecting themes of sacrifice, devotion, and divine provision.

(28) Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel? . . .--After such glorious privileges had been conferred on this favoured house, and such ample provision for all its wants had been made for it, it was indeed a crime of the blackest ingratitude that its leading members should pour dishonour on their invisible King and Benefactor.

To wear an ephod before me.--This included the privilege, which belonged to the head of the house of Aaron, the reigning high priest, of entering the Holy of Holies--that lightless inner sanctuary where the visible presence of the Eternal was ever and anon pleased to dwell--and also the possession of the mysterious Urim and Thummim, by which enquiry could be made of the will of the invisible King of Israel.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And out of all
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the tribes
שִׁבְטֵ֨י (šiḇ·ṭê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

I selected
וּבָחֹ֣ר (ū·ḇā·ḥōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 977: To try, select

[your father]
אֹ֠תוֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

to be My priest,
לְכֹהֵ֔ן (lə·ḵō·hên)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

to offer sacrifices
לַעֲל֣וֹת (la·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

on
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

My altar,
מִזְבְּחִ֗י (miz·bə·ḥî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

to burn
לְהַקְטִ֥יר (lə·haq·ṭîr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

incense,
קְטֹ֛רֶת (qə·ṭō·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7004: Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense

and to wear
לָשֵׂ֥את (lā·śêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

an ephod
אֵפ֖וֹד (’ê·p̄ō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 646: A girdle, the ephod, highpriest's shoulder-piece, an image

in My presence.
לְפָנָ֑י (lə·p̄ā·nāy)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

I also gave
וָֽאֶתְּנָה֙ (wā·’et·tə·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to the house
לְבֵ֣ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of your father
אָבִ֔יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the offerings
אִשֵּׁ֖י (’iš·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 801: A burnt-offering, a sacrifice

of the Israelites {made by fire}.
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT History: 1 Samuel 2:28 And did I choose him out (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 2:27
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