Prophecy of Judgment on Eli's House
1 Samuel 2:27-36
1 S.2.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנגלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- נגליתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- בהיותם: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- במצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 6:6-7 (thematic): God discloses his plan and identity in the context of Israel’s bondage in Egypt — like 1 Sam 2:27’s claim that God revealed himself to the ancestor’s house while they were in Egypt.
- Exodus 3:14-15 (verbal): God’s self-revelation to Moses (’I AM’, speaking to Israel’s situation in Egypt) parallels the motif of divine revelation to the forebears in Egypt invoked in 1 Sam 2:27.
- Deuteronomy 33:8-11 (thematic): Moses’ blessing of Levi and the articulation of priestly function links to the idea of a divinely appointed priestly household referenced in Eli’s rebuke.
- 1 Kings 13:1-2 (structural): Another episode of ‘a man of God’ confronting religious leadership and pronouncing divine judgment — parallels the role and rhetorical form of the prophet’s charge against Eli.
- Ezekiel 44:6-9 (thematic): Ezekiel’s denunciation of unfaithful priests and the emphasis on ancestral charge and priestly obligation echo the rebuke delivered to Eli’s house in 1 Sam 2:27–36.
Alternative generated candidates
- A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: I revealed myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt, to the house of Pharaoh."
- A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: I revealed myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt, to the house of Pharaoh."
1 S.2.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובחר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- מכל: PREP
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לכהן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- על: PREP
- מזבחי: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,sg
- להקטיר: VERB,hiph,inf
- קטרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- לשאת: VERB,qal,inf
- אפוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ואתנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשי: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 30:7-10 (verbal): Commands Aaron (and his descendants) to burn incense on the altar regularly and to make atonement for the people—parallels 'to offer incense on my altar' and the priestly duty in 1 Sam 2:28.
- Exodus 28:6-14 (verbal): Gives the description and function of the ephod as priestly garment; connects with 'to wear an ephod before me' in 1 Sam 2:28.
- Numbers 3:10 (thematic): God appoints Aaron and his sons to keep charge of the sanctuary and serve as priests—parallels the divine selection and priestly responsibilities in 1 Sam 2:28.
- 1 Samuel 2:35 (structural): Immediate chapter-parallel: promises God will raise a faithful priest, build him a sure house, and that he shall 'stand before my anointed'—echoes the promise to give a priestly house and duties in 1 Sam 2:28.
- Ezekiel 44:15-16 (thematic): Designates a specific line of priests (sons of Zadok) to minister, offer incense, and serve at the altar—parallels the idea of God choosing a priestly line and assigning altar/incense duties.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I chose him from all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up upon my altar to burn incense, to wear the ephod before me; and I gave to the house of your father all the offerings of the people of Israel.
- I chose him from all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to ascend my altar and burn incense, to wear an ephod before me, and I gave to your father's house all the offerings of the people of Israel.
1 S.2.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למה: ADV
- תבעטו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- בזבחי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- ובמנחתי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- מעון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותכבד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
- ממני: PREP,suff,1,m,sg
- להבריאכם: PREP+VERB,hifil,inf,2,m,pl
- מראשית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- מנחת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
Parallels
- 1 Sam.2.12-17 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: Eli’s sons are described as profaning the offerings and taking the best portions by force, which provokes God’s rebuke in v.29.
- Malachi 1:6-8 (verbal): Direct thematic and verbal echo: priests are accused of despising God’s name and offering blemished sacrifices—'Where is my honor?' and refusal to give proper offerings parallels 1 Sam 2:29.
- Amos 5:21-23 (thematic): God rejects Israel’s cultic worship when moral corruption persists: 'I hate, I despise your feasts… I will not accept them,' paralleling the idea that offerings are rejected when the priests/people dishonor God.
- Ezekiel 22:26 (thematic): Prophetic indictment of priests who 'have violated my law and profaned my holy things'—a similar charge that the priesthood has dishonored sacred rites and offerings.
- Deuteronomy 18:1-8 (structural): Law concerning the Levites’ and priests’ due portions and conduct: sets the expected relationship between God’s offerings and the priesthood, contrasting with the abuse denounced in 1 Sam 2:29.
Alternative generated candidates
- Why do you kick at my sacrifices and at my offerings that I commanded to be kept in my dwelling? You honor your sons more than me and make yourselves fat from the choicest of all the offerings of Israel my people.
- Why do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded to be kept? You honor your sons above me and make yourselves fat from the choicest of every offering of Israel my people.
1 S.2.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמור: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- ביתך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- יתהלכו: VERB,hitp,imprf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- עד: PREP
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועתה: CONJ
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חלילה: INTJ
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מכבדי: VERB,piel,ptcp,NA,m,pl+obj:1,com,sg
- אכבד: VERB,piel,imprf,1,com,sg
- ובזי: CONJ+VERB,piel,ptcp,NA,m,pl+obj:1,com,sg
- יקלו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Sam.3.11-14 (structural): God reiterates and applies the judgment announced in 2:30 against Eli’s house for the priests’ failure — the promise of continuation is revoked and punishment is declared.
- 1 Sam.2:7-8 (verbal): Hannah’s earlier song nearby stresses the same theological motif: Yahweh exalts the humble and brings down the proud, framing the reversal pronounced in v.30.
- Malachi 1:6-14 (thematic): Accuses priests of despising God’s name and announces divine judgment on corrupt priests — parallels the complaint that Eli’s house 'despised' the LORD and so forfeits honor.
- Psalm 75:6-7 (thematic): Affirms that exaltation comes from God who humbles the proud and exalts the lowly, echoing the principle ‘those who honor me I will honor; those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’
- Matt.23:12 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted echoes the moral reversal and divine prerogative over honor expressed in 1 Sam 2:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, says the LORD, the God of Israel: I said, 'Let your house and the house of your father walk before me forever.' But now, says the LORD, 'Far be it from me; for the one who honors me I will honor, and the one who despises me shall be lightly esteemed.'"
- Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, says: "As I said, 'Your house and your father's house shall walk before me forever.' But now the LORD declares, 'By no means! For those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.'"
1 S.2.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- וגדעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,.,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- זרעך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- זרע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- מהיות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זקן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בביתך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (quotation): Samuel receives a near-verbatim repetition of the same oracle condemning Eli’s house and announcing that God will cut off his descendants because of the sons’ sins and Eli’s failure.
- 1 Samuel 2:33-36 (structural): Immediate context/continuation of the oracle: expands the threat (no old man in your house) and promises to raise up a faithful priest from another line—same prophetic unit as 2:31.
- 1 Kings 2:27 (thematic): Narrative fulfillment motif: Solomon deposes Abiathar the priest, which is interpreted as the removal of Eli’s priestly line foretold in 1 Samuel.
- Malachi 2:2-3 (thematic): Later prophetic denunciation of corrupt priests—God pronounces judgment and cutting off of a disobedient priesthood, echoing the theme of divine punishment for priestly failure in 1 Samuel 2:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your posterity and the posterity of your father's house; there will not be an old man in your house.
- Behold, days are coming when I will cut off your descendants and the descendants of your father's house from holding office in your house.
1 S.2.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והבטת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- צר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ייטיב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- זקן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בביתך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 2:31-33 (structural): Immediate context of the divine oracle against Eli's house; the same prophecy announces removal of the older men/continuity from his house.
- 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (quotation): God repeats and applies the judgment told earlier to Samuel, detailing that Eli's house will be judged and his descendants removed from priestly office.
- Jeremiah 22:30 (thematic): Pronounces that a royal line will have no surviving descendants to continue the house—parallel motif of divine removal of a household's continuity.
- 2 Samuel 7:14-16 (thematic): Contrasts the promise of an enduring house for David with the opposite fate prophesied for Eli's house—both passages deal with divine control over a household's perpetuity.
- Malachi 1:6-9 (thematic): Condemns priestly disrespect and announces censure of the priests; parallels the theme of priestly failure bringing divine judgment on a priestly household.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall see distress in the dwelling, in all that he does for Israel; there will never again be an old man in your house all the days.
- You will see distress in every dwelling because of all that he has done to Israel; there shall not be an old man in your house all the days.
1 S.2.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אכרית: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מעם: PREP
- מזבחי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- לכלות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- ולאדיב: CONJ+NEG+VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מרבית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביתך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ימותו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 2:27-36 (structural): Immediate prophetic context in which God pronounces judgment on Eli's house, including the specific sentence that no one in his family shall remain to minister at the altar (the passage containing v.33).
- 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (quotation): God repeats and applies the judgment against Eli's house, stating directly that his descendants will die and his priestly line will be cut off—an explicit restatement of the threat in 2:33.
- 1 Samuel 4:17-18 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: report of the deaths of Eli's sons and Eli's subsequent death, showing the execution of the judgment announced in 2:33.
- Leviticus 10:1-2 (thematic): Theme of priestly accountability before the altar: Nadab and Abihu die for offering strange fire, paralleling the motif that priestly misuse or failure brings lethal divine judgment affecting the priestly household.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will cut off from my altar those who belong to you; your eyes shall behold it and your soul shall mourn. All the increase of your house shall die by the sword of men.
- And I will not spare anyone from my altar to continue as your priest to give you assurance or to restore your soul; the greater part of your household shall die by the sword of men.
1 S.2.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- האות: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- חפני: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ופינחס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ביום: PREP
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- ימותו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:11 (verbal): Direct fulfillment: reports that Hophni and Phinehas (חפני ופינחס) both died on the same day, fulfilling the sign announced in 1 Samuel 2:34.
- 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (quotation): Samuel conveys God's judgment against Eli's house—reiterates the condemnation of Eli's sons and the irrevocable divine sentence first announced in chapter 2.
- 1 Samuel 2:27-36 (structural): The earlier prophetic unit in the same chapter pronouncing doom on Eli's house and offering the 'sign' framework; 2:34 is part of this larger oracle against Eli's sons and priestly line.
- Isaiah 7:11-14 (thematic): Parallels the motif of a prophetic ‘sign’ given to confirm a divine word (Hebrew 'האות'); both passages use a concrete sign as confirmation of forthcoming judgment or deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this shall be your sign: both your sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall die on the same day.
- And this shall be your sign: both of your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall die on the same day.
1 S.2.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והקימתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- נאמן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- בלבבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,m,sg
- ובנפשי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,m,sg
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ובניתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נאמן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- והתהלך: CONJ+VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- משיחי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (verbal): God promises to 'build a house' and establish a lasting line—language and promise of an enduring household/office echo the 'I will build him a sure house' motif.
- Psalm 89:3-4, 29-37 (thematic): Royal covenant language about establishing a Davidic house and an everlasting throne parallels the assurance that God will raise and establish a faithful line to serve before his anointed.
- Malachi 2:4-7 (verbal): Speaks of a faithful priest who walks before God and keeps his instruction—closely parallels the idea of a 'faithful priest' who acts according to God's heart and walks before the Lord.
- Zechariah 6:12-13 (allusion): The figure of the Branch who will build the temple and serve as both ruler and priest parallels the mingling of priestly house, building, and service 'before my anointed' in 1 Sam 2:35.
- Hebrews 7:24-28 (thematic): New Testament reflection on an eternal, faithful priest (Christ) fulfills the expectation of a raised, enduring priesthood—an interpretive continuation of the promise in 1 Samuel 2:35.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, one who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind; I will establish for him a sure house, and he shall walk before my anointed all the days.
- And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. I will establish him in a faithful house, and he shall walk before my anointed always.
1 S.2.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הנותר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בביתך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להשתחות: INF,hitpael
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לאגורת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וככר: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ספחני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- אל: NEG
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- הכהנות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- לאכל: INF,qal
- פת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 2:31 (verbal): Part of the same prophetic oracle announcing that Eli's house will be cut off from the priesthood — repeats the threat that his descendants will lose access to priestly office.
- 1 Samuel 2:34 (thematic): Continues the judgment motif: God declares the death of Eli's sons and the permanent loss of priestly standing in his household, background to the humiliation described in v.36.
- 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (quotation): God repeats and explains the judgment against Eli's house to Samuel, explicitly linking the sons' corruption to the removal of priestly privileges — a direct restatement of the threat in 2:36.
- 1 Samuel 4:10-11, 18 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: the defeat at Aphek and the deaths of Eli's sons, and Eli's death, enact the calamity foretold and set the stage for his house's loss of status.
- 1 Kings 2:26-27 (structural): Later historical outcome: Abiathar (a descendant of Eli) is deposed from the priesthood and replaced by Zadok, concretely realizing the prophecy that Eli's family would be excluded from priestly office.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be that whoever is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, saying, 'Appoint me, please, to be one of the priests' attendants, that I may eat a morsel of bread.'
- And all that are left in your house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and shall say, 'Attach me, I pray you, to one of the priestly duties, that I may eat a piece of bread.'
A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: I revealed myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt, to the house of Pharaoh." And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up upon my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me; and I gave to your father's house all the offerings of the people of Israel.
Why do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded to be kept at my dwelling, and honor your sons above me, so that you make yourselves fat from the choicest of every offering of Israel my people?
Therefore declares the LORD, the God of Israel: I said, 'Let your house and your father's house walk before me forever.' But now, declares the LORD, Far be it from me! For those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
Behold, days are coming when I will cut off your descendants and the descendants of your father's house from being elders in your house.
You shall see distress in my dwelling in every good that I grant Israel; there shall not be an old man in your house all the days. And no one of those who minister at my altar shall reach old age to be a comfort to your eyes or to revive your soul; rather, all the increase of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this shall be the sign to you: on the same day both your sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall die. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest; according to what is in my heart and in my mind he shall act. I will establish for him a sure house, and he shall walk before my anointed always. And whoever is left in your house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, saying, 'Attach me, please, to one of the priest's attendants, that I may eat a morsel of bread.'