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1 Samuel 3:16

1 Samuel 3:16 in Multiple Translations

but Eli called to him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” answered Samuel.

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he said, Here am I.

Then Eli said, Samuel, my son. And Samuel answering said, Here am I.

But Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “I'm here,” Samuel answered.

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel my sonne. And he answered, Here I am.

And Eli calleth Samuel, and saith, 'Samuel, my son;' and he saith, 'Here [am] I.'

Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” He said, “Here I am.”

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

Then Heli called Samuel, and said: Samuel, my son. And he answered: Here am I.

But Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son!” Samuel answered, “I am here!”

But the old man called out to him, “Samuel, come here.” Samuel answered, “Yes? What is it?”

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 3:16

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Samuel 3:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יִּקְרָ֤א עֵלִי֙ אֶת שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל בְּנִ֑/י וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר הִנֵּֽ/נִי
וַ/יִּקְרָ֤א qârâʼ H7121 to call Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עֵלִי֙ ʻÊlîy H5941 Eli N-proper
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל Shᵉmûwʼêl H8050 Shemuel N-proper
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל Shᵉmûwʼêl H8050 Shemuel N-proper
בְּנִ֑/י bên H1121 son N-ms | Suff
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הִנֵּֽ/נִי hên H2005 look! Part | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 3:16

וַ/יִּקְרָ֤א qârâʼ H7121 "to call" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
עֵלִי֙ ʻÊlîy H5941 "Eli" N-proper
Eli was a high priest in the Bible, mentioned in 1 Samuel. He was the father of Hophni and Phinehas, and played a significant role in the story of Samuel. The name Eli means 'ascension'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.1.3; father of: Hophni (H2652), Phinehas (H6372H) § Eli = "ascension" descendant of Aaron through Ithamar and high priest and judge of Israel when Samuel entered service as a child
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: Eli. See also: 1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Samuel 3:6; 1 Kings 2:27.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל Shᵉmûwʼêl H8050 "Shemuel" N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל Shᵉmûwʼêl H8050 "Shemuel" N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
בְּנִ֑/י bên H1121 "son" N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הִנֵּֽ/נִי hên H2005 "look!" Part | Suff
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 3:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

1 Samuel 3:16 Summary

[In this verse, Eli calls out to Samuel, who is hesitant to share a difficult message from the Lord. Samuel responds with humility and obedience, saying 'Here I am,' which shows his willingness to listen and serve the Lord. This is similar to Isaiah's response in Isaiah 6:8, where he also says 'Here I am' in response to the Lord's call. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn the importance of being available and obedient to the Lord's call, just like Samuel.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Eli call out to Samuel in this verse?

Eli called out to Samuel because he sensed that something significant had happened, as indicated by Samuel's fear to tell him the vision he received from the Lord (1 Samuel 3:15).

What is the significance of Samuel's response, 'Here I am'?

Samuel's response, 'Here I am,' indicates his willingness to listen and obey, similar to Isaiah's response in Isaiah 6:8, demonstrating his humility and readiness to serve the Lord.

How does this verse relate to the larger story of 1 Samuel?

This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of 1 Samuel, as it marks the beginning of Samuel's prophetic ministry and Eli's recognition of the Lord's judgment on his household, as warned in 1 Samuel 2:27-36.

What can we learn from Eli's fatherly approach to Samuel in this verse?

Eli's gentle and paternal approach to Samuel, addressing him as 'my son,' demonstrates a loving and concerned attitude, which is a model for spiritual leaders and mentors, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some times in my life when I have been hesitant to share a difficult message with someone, and how can I learn from Samuel's example in this verse?
  2. How can I, like Samuel, cultivate a spirit of humility and readiness to serve the Lord, even in challenging circumstances?
  3. What are some ways I can demonstrate a loving and concerned attitude towards those I am mentoring or leading, just as Eli did with Samuel?
  4. In what ways can I apply the principle of obedience and availability, as seen in Samuel's response, 'Here I am,' to my own life and service to the Lord?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 3:16

Then Eli called Samuel,.... Perceiving he was risen by the opening of the doors of the tabernacle, which he might hear; and observing he did not come to him as usual, to know whether he wanted

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 3:16

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. Then Eli called Samuel.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 3:16

1 Samuel 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here [am] I.Ver. 16. Then Eli called Samuel.] He had a sore conscience, as his sons a seared, and such as presaged no good.

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