Meaning, commentary and cross references
1 Samuel 2:2
“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
NIV · New International Version
“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
WEB · World English Bible
There is no one as holy as the LORD, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.
What does 1 Samuel 2:2 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 1 Samuel 2:2
There is none holy as the Lord,.... From the consideration of what the Lord had done for her, which had filled her heart and mouth with joy and praise, she is led to celebrate the perfections of God, and begins with his holiness, in which he is glorious, and which appears in all his ways and works; he is essentially, originally, independently, perfectly, and immutably holy, as others are not. Angels are holy, but not of themselves; their holiness is from the Lord; nor is it perfect in comparison of his, and therefore they cover their faces while they celebrate that perfection of his; nor immutable, at least not naturally so, as the loss of it in those that fell demonstrates. Of men, some…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 1 Samuel 2:1–10
So here, in Hannah's triumph, There is none holy as the Lord. It is the rectitude of his nature, his infinite agreement with himself, and the equity of his government and judgment in all the administrations of both. At the remembrance of this we ought to give thanks. (2.)
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 1 Samuel 2:1–5 (WEB)
1Hannah prayed, and said, “My heart exults in the LORD! My horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2There is no one as holy as the LORD, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God. 3“Don’t keep talking so exceedingly proudly. Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth, for the LORD is a God of knowledge. By him actions are weighed. 4“The bows of the mighty men are broken. Those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes.
Cross references
- 2 Samuel 22:32
For who is God, besides the LORD? Who is a rock, besides our God?
- Isaiah 44:6
This is what the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.
- Psalms 86:8
- Exodus 15:11
Who is like you, LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
- 1 Peter 1:16
because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
- Jeremiah 10:6
There is no one like you, LORD. You are great, and your name is great in might.
- Psalms 89:8
- Isaiah 57:15
For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.