Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.
Parallel translations
- WEB But Samuel ministered before Yahweh, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod.
- KJV But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
- NKJV But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.
- NASB Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord, as a boy wearing a linen ephod.
- NLT But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the Lord. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In contrast, the boy Samuel ministered before the Lord, clothed in a linen ephod. His faithful service shines against the priests' corruption.
Overview
The narrative deliberately returns to Samuel, whose devout service contrasts with the wickedness just described. The linen ephod marked him as one set apart for sacred ministry, young as he was. This repeated contrast highlights how God was raising up a faithful servant even as He prepared to judge the unfaithful.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Exod 28:4These 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 Sam 3:1And 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 Sam 2:11Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy began ministering to the LORD before Eli the priest.
- 2 Sam 6:14And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,
- 1 Sam 22:18So 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.
- 1 Chr 15:27Now 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.
- 1 Sam 2:28And 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.
- Lev 8:7He 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.
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 2:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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