1 Samuel 2 22

1 Samuel 2:22 kjv

Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

1 Samuel 2:22 nkjv

Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

1 Samuel 2:22 niv

Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

1 Samuel 2:22 esv

Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

1 Samuel 2:22 nlt

Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

1 Samuel 2 verses

1 Samuel 2 22 Meaning

1 Samuel 2:22 reveals the moral corruption within Eli's household, particularly his sons Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests of the Lord. Despite his old age, Eli was aware of their egregious sins, specifically their sexual misconduct with women who served or gathered at the very entrance of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. This verse underscores the pervasive nature of their iniquity, its direct defiance of sacred space and divine law, and Eli's passive awareness of these blasphemous acts, setting the stage for divine judgment upon his priestly house.

1 Samuel 2 22 Context

First Samuel chapter 2 details two stark contrasts: the beautiful, prophetic prayer of Hannah (1 Sam 2:1-10) in gratitude for Samuel, highlighting God's justice, power, and the raising of the humble, against the corrupt practices of Eli's sons (1 Sam 2:12-17). This specific verse, 1 Sam 2:22, functions as a direct bridge, revealing that Eli, the high priest and judge of Israel, was not merely ignorant but explicitly aware of his sons' heinous misconduct. The preceding verses established the sons' greed and disrespect for offerings; this verse exposes their sexual immorality within the very precinct of God's dwelling place. This deeply personal sin, committed in a holy place, highlights the systemic decay of the priesthood at Shiloh and underscores the urgent need for divine intervention, paving the way for Samuel's rising leadership and God's judgment upon Eli's house. Historically, this occurred during the period of the Judges, a time often marked by spiritual and moral decline in Israel, leading up to the establishment of the monarchy.

1 Samuel 2 22 Word analysis

• Now Eli: Eli (‘Eli) held the significant positions of both High Priest and Judge of Israel at Shiloh, the central place of worship before Jerusalem. His leadership was crucial for Israel's spiritual well-being.
• was very old: The Hebrew zaqen (זָקֵן), meaning "old" or "elderly." This highlights his diminishing physical capacity and possibly a waning ability to exert authority, though his moral responsibility remained. It also contrasts with the vitality of the new generation like Samuel.
• and heard all that his sons did: The word "heard" (שָׁמַע - shama’) signifies Eli's direct knowledge and awareness. This is not passive observation but having received detailed reports. His responsibility stemmed from his failure to act decisively on what he knew.
• his sons: Hophni and Phinehas, identified in 1 Sam 2:12 as "worthless men" or "sons of Belial," implying extreme wickedness. They were priests by inheritance but devoid of any reverence for God or their office.
• did unto all Israel: This emphasizes the public and widespread impact of their actions. Their sins were not private matters but defiled the entire community and undermined national worship and faith. It shows a disregard not just for God but for the people they were meant to serve.
• and how they lay with: The Hebrew shakab (שָׁכַב), meaning "to lie down," often euphemistically or directly implies sexual intercourse. This specifies the nature of their heinous sin: sexual immorality and potentially abuse of power.
• the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: This is the most shocking aspect of the verse. These were likely women who regularly came to the Tabernacle for prayer, service, or personal devotions, or who ministered there (cf. Exo 38:8 which mentions "ministering women"). The act of sinning with them at the door (petach - פֶּתַח), the very threshold of the holy place (ohel mo'ed - אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - "Tent of Meeting" or Tabernacle), represented a profound desecration and abuse of their priestly authority. It also reflects a polemic against corrupt religious practices, specifically showing that such acts directly violated the sanctity demanded by God's Law for the place and participants of worship. It implies the perversion of what should be pure and sacred.

1 Samuel 2 22 Bonus section

• The phrasing "women that assembled" has led some scholars to debate the exact nature of their presence. While Exodus 38:8 mentions women "who ministered" at the Tabernacle, suggesting a form of service, the phrasing in 1 Samuel 2:22 simply states they "assembled," which could refer to women who simply gathered there for prayer or other purposes. Regardless of their specific role, the sin committed with them at such a sacred location underscores the egregious nature of Eli's sons' actions.
• The profound sin described in this verse directly contrasts with the spiritual faithfulness and devotion of Hannah, Samuel’s mother, setting up a theological antithesis between faithful servanthood (Samuel's lineage) and corrupt, unholy priesthood (Eli's sons). This narrative thread reinforces the principle that God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth, not merely through inherited office.
• This verse provides a crucial foundation for understanding why God eventually "raised up for Himself a faithful priest" (1 Sam 2:35), fulfilled in Zadok and ultimately in Jesus Christ, the true and perfect High Priest. The failures of Eli's house paved the way for a new covenantal arrangement.

1 Samuel 2 22 Commentary

1 Samuel 2:22 starkly reveals the severe spiritual decline within Israel's highest religious leadership. Eli, the High Priest, despite his age, was fully cognizant of his sons' scandalous behavior. Their sins, particularly their sexual immorality with women at the Tabernacle door, were not private transgressions but public affronts to God's holiness and desecrations of sacred space. This act transcended mere moral failing, evolving into a blasphemous mockery of divine worship, undermining the spiritual health of the entire nation. Eli's awareness without firm intervention highlighted his profound failure as both a father and a spiritual leader, prioritizing his sons' comfort or his own peace over God's honor. This negligence invoked divine judgment, as outlined later in the chapter and fulfilled in chapter 4, demonstrating that God holds His leaders to account for both their own actions and their failure to restrain wickedness within their spheres of influence. The passage emphasizes that proximity to God's service does not grant immunity from His judgment, especially when that service is defiled.