Study it in the app“Samuel said, “Does YHWH have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in listening to the voice of YHWH? Look, to listen is better than sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams.”
Samuel to Saul: listening to God is better than sacrificeObedience
Samuelשְׁמוּאֵלsaid,וַיֹּאמֶר“Does YHWHהַ לַיהוָהhave as much delightחֵפֶץin burnt offeringsבְּעֹלוֹתand sacrificesוּזְבָחִיםas in listeningכִּשְׁמֹעַto the voiceבְּקוֹלof YHWH?יְהוָהLook,הִנֵּהto listenשְׁמֹעַis betterטוֹבthan sacrifice,מִזֶּבַחto pay attentionלְהַקְשִׁיבthan the fatמֵחֵלֶבof rams.אֵילִים
Samuel
Samuel, the name of two persons. One was a chief of the tribe of Simeon (Numbers 34:20). The best known is the son of Elkanah and Hannah, prophet and last judge of Israel, who anointed the kings Saul and David. The name sounds like "heard by El" or "name of El."
Where else “shemuel” appearssay
To say with the mouth to someone what one thinks or wants, or to answer him.
Where else “yomer” appearsYHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
Where else “yhva” appearsdelight
What pleases someone.
Where else “chefets” appearsburnt offering
A sacrifice burned whole on the altar.
Where else “olot” appearssacrifice
An animal offered to God and eaten together.
Where else “zevachim” appearslisten
To pay close attention, or heed a plea.
Where else “shemoa” appearsvoice
What is heard when someone speaks or sings; also the voice of God.
Where else “kol” appearsbetter
Worth more or more profitable than something it is compared with.
Where else “tov” appearspay attention, listen
To pay attention, to listen carefully, to prick up the ears. It is more than hearing: it is heeding what is said.
Where else “hakshiv” appearsfat
The soft white tissue around an animal's insides, burned for YHWH.
Where else “chelev” appearsram
A full-grown male sheep, used as an offering.
Where else “elim” appearsTo “listen to the voice” of someone is in Hebrew to heed him, to obey him (Exodus 19:5).
21But the people took from the spoil animals of the flock and herd, the firstfruits of what was devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to YHWH your Elohim in Gilgal.”
22 · This verse (above)
23For rebellion is the sin of divination, and stubbornness is wickedness and teraphim. Because you have despised the word of YHWH, he has despised you from being king.”
