Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is that Elkanah's annual pilgrimage isn't just a religious chore; it's a profound act of faith and devotion in a time when worship at the central sanctuary had become deeply compromised by the sin of Eli's sons. Even with the priests at Shiloh being corrupt, Elkanah still makes the arduous journey, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to God, not to the men serving Him. This highlights a crucial truth: our faithfulness to God should never be dictated by the imperfections of those in leadership.
Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse introduces Elkanah, a devout man from the hill country of Ephraim, as the narrative shifts from the broader context of Israel's troubles to a more personal story. We see him faithfully making his annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, the central sanctuary, to worship God even amidst the moral decay of the priestly family serving there. This regular journey sets the stage for the deep yearning of his wife, Hannah, for a child, a desire that will soon be laid bare before the Lord.
Elkanah wasn't just going through the motions; he was following a sacred command. But what did it mean to 'worship and sacrifice' each year?
This verse introduces us to Elkanah and his family's annual trip to Shiloh. This wasn't a casual vacation; it was a religious pilgrimage mandated by the Law.
The Law of Feasts
God commanded Israelite men to appear before Him three times a year for major feasts: Passover, Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles (Booths). This was a time for national remembrance, celebration, and most importantly, to offer sacrifices and renew their covenant with the LORD.
Elkanah's yearly journey, even though the text doesn't specify which feast it was, underscores his commitment to fulfilling this divine requirement. It was a physical act of devotion, a visible sign of his faith and obedience to the "LORD of hosts" – a powerful title highlighting God's supreme authority and power.
Shiloh was the center of Israel's worship for centuries, but it was also a place marked by deep spiritual compromise.
Shiloh was the religious heart of Israel during the time of the Tabernacle's presence there. It was the designated place where the community was to meet God and offer sacrifices.
However, the mention of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, immediately casts a shadow. They were the priests serving there, but they were infamous for their wicked behavior, treating the sacrifices of the LORD with contempt and engaging in sexual immorality.
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This contrast is stark: a place ordained for holy worship, overseen by corrupt spiritual leaders. Elkanah’s family journeyed to this sacred, yet compromised, site, highlighting the challenges of maintaining faithfulness in imperfect religious environments.
Understand the original words
YHWH Tseva'ot · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title for God reflecting His sovereignty over the armies of heaven and earth, emphasizing His supreme power and authority as the Ruler of all creation.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
A sacred site or act of presenting offerings to God, symbolizing submission, gratitude, or the seeking of atonement, and acknowledging God's holiness.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A religious mediator appointed by God to officiate in the tabernacle or temple, serving as an intermediary between God and the people through offerings and intercession.
c. 1100 BC
Tabernacle established at Shiloh
After the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, the Tabernacle, containing the Ark of the Covenant, was set up at Shiloh. This became the central place of worship for all the tribes.
c. 1075 BC
Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas serve
Hophni and Phinehas, sons of the High Priest Eli, served at Shiloh. They were notorious for their wicked behavior and disrespect towards the sacrifices and the people.
c. 1070 BC— this verse
Elkanah's annual pilgrimage to Shiloh
Elkanah, from Ramathaim-Zophim in the hill country of Ephraim, made his yearly journey to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices at the Tabernacle, as was the custom.
c. 1070 BC
Hannah's sorrow and prayer
During one of these pilgrimages, Elkanah's wife Hannah, who was barren, wept and prayed intensely to the Lord for a son, vowing to dedicate him to God's service.
c. 1050 BC
Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant
The Philistines defeated the Israelites in battle, killing Hophni and Phinehas and capturing the Ark of the Covenant, effectively ending Shiloh's prominence as the central sanctuary.
This passage commands all Israelite men to appear before the Lord three times a year, directly supporting the practice Elkanah was engaged in by traveling to Shiloh.
Psalm 84:10This psalm expresses a deep longing to be in the temple courts, mirroring Elkanah's annual commitment to worship and sacrifice, highlighting the value he placed on God's presence.
Luke 2:41-42This passage shows Jesus' parents also making an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, paralleling Elkanah's faithful, regular journey to worship.
Malachi 3:1This prophecy speaks of the Lord coming to His temple, and it's preceded by mention of worship and sacrifice, echoing the context of Elkanah's devotion at Shiloh.
What's easy to miss here is that Elkanah's annual pilgrimage isn't just a religious chore; it's a profound act of faith and devotion in a time when worship at the central sanctuary had become deeply compromised by the sin of Eli's sons. Even with the priests at Shiloh being corrupt, Elkanah still makes the arduous journey, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to God, not to the men serving Him. This highlights a crucial truth: our faithfulness to God should never be dictated by the imperfections of those in leadership.
This verse introduces Elkanah, a devout man from the hill country of Ephraim, as the narrative shifts from the broader context of Israel's troubles to a more personal story. We see him faithfully making his annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, the central sanctuary, to worship God even amidst the moral decay of the priestly family serving there. This regular journey sets the stage for the deep yearning of his wife, Hannah, for a child, a desire that will soon be laid bare before the Lord.
This verse introduces Elkanah, a devout man from the hill country of Ephraim, as the narrative shifts from the broader context of Israel's troubles to a more personal story. We see him faithfully making his annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, the central sanctuary, to worship God even amidst the moral decay of the priestly family serving there. This regular journey sets the stage for the deep yearning of his wife, Hannah, for a child, a desire that will soon be laid bare before the Lord.
"Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD." — What's easy to miss here is that Elkanah's annual pilgrimage isn't just a religious chore; it's a profound act of faith and devotion in a time when worship at the central sanctuary had become deeply…
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Last reviewed October 2026