1 Samuel 2:23 kjv
And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
1 Samuel 2:23 nkjv
So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
1 Samuel 2:23 niv
So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours.
1 Samuel 2:23 esv
And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people.
1 Samuel 2:23 nlt
Eli said to them, "I have been hearing reports from all the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning?
1 Samuel 2 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Corrupt Priesthood & Consequences | ||
| 1 Sam 2:12 | Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. | Eli's sons were wicked, despised God. |
| 1 Sam 2:17 | ...men abhorred the offering of the LORD. | Their actions caused people to hate God's worship. |
| 1 Sam 2:22 | Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel... | Eli knew the full extent of their sin. |
| 1 Sam 2:27-36 | ...A man of God came unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD... | Prophecy of judgment against Eli's house. |
| 1 Sam 3:13 | For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. | Eli's sin was knowing and not restraining. |
| 1 Sam 4:11 | And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. | Divine judgment resulted in their death. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron... | Previous example of priestly disobedience and judgment. |
| Mal 2:7-8 | For the priest's lips should keep knowledge...but ye are departed out of the way... | Condemnation of corrupt priests who mislead. |
| Public Scandal & Reputation of God | ||
| Rom 2:24 | For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you... | Their actions caused God's name to be dishonored. |
| Matt 18:7 | Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! | Warning against causing others to stumble. |
| 1 Tim 5:20 | Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. | Open sin demands open rebuke for the sake of others. |
| Titus 2:5 | ...that the word of God be not blasphemed. | Importance of believers' conduct protecting God's word. |
| 2 Sam 12:14 | Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme... | David's sin brought reproach upon God. |
| Ezek 36:20-23 | ...When they entered among the nations...they profaned my holy name... | God's name profaned when His people live sinfully. |
| Parental Responsibility | ||
| Prov 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. | Principle of child training for lasting impact. |
| Prov 29:15 | The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. | Failure to discipline brings shame. |
| Eph 6:4 | And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. | Parents are to disciple their children. |
| God's Knowledge & Judgment of Sin | ||
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. | God is omniscient, aware of all deeds. |
| Jer 17:10 | I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins... | God knows the inner thoughts and motives. |
| Heb 4:13 | Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight... | All things are exposed before God. |
| Rev 20:12 | And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. | Judgment based on actions and deeds. |
| Ps 7:9 | Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. | God justly evaluates hearts and brings an end to wickedness. |
1 Samuel 2 verses
1 Samuel 2 23 Meaning
Eli, the high priest, confronts his wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, asking them why they persist in their unrighteous actions. He states that he has personally heard extensive reports and widespread complaints from the entire community regarding their grave misconduct and scandalous behavior, indicating the public nature and notoriety of their sin. This verse captures Eli's passive recognition of their corruption, though his response proved to be tragically inadequate.
1 Samuel 2 23 Context
1 Samuel Chapter 2 portrays a striking contrast between Hannah's humble, devout prayer and selfless dedication of Samuel (v. 1-10) and the wicked, unholy practices of Eli's sons (v. 12-17, 22). Prior to this verse, the text describes the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, as "sons of Belial" (v. 12) who "knew not the Lord." Their specific transgressions included taking choice parts of the sacrificial offerings before they were properly prepared for God, causing people to despise the Lord's sacrifices (v. 13-17), and engaging in immoral sexual relations with women who served at the entrance to the tabernacle (v. 22). Verse 23 marks Eli's initial, yet weak and ultimately ineffectual, confrontation of his sons, acknowledging the widespread public knowledge of their severe sin. This conversation occurs within the sacred space of the tabernacle, where their profanity directly desecrated God's worship and discredited the priestly office in the eyes of the people. This sets the stage for God's impending judgment upon Eli's house for his failure to honor God and restrain his sons.
1 Samuel 2 23 Word analysis
- And he said unto them: This phrase signifies Eli initiating a confrontation, a parental and priestly responsibility. However, the gentle phrasing "he said" foreshadows the weakness of his rebuke given the gravity of their sin.
- Why: The Hebrew word לָמָּה (lammâ), pronounced lahm-mah, indicates an interrogative. In this context, it functions more as an expression of distress, disappointment, or reproach rather than a genuine inquiry for information. It carries the weight of "How could you?" or "Why do you continue?"
- do ye such things: The Hebrew הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה (haddevarim ha'elleh), "these things" or "these matters," refers back directly to the detailed account of their specific, documented wickedness in verses 12-17 (abusing sacrifices) and 22 (sexual immorality at the Tabernacle). The term "things" encompasses the full range of their offensive conduct, which violated both ceremonial and moral law.
- for I hear: Eli states his knowledge of their actions. The passive reception of information ("I hear") underscores his delayed and less than proactive approach to his sons' rampant wickedness. This highlights the widespread public knowledge and scandal.
- of your evil dealings: The Hebrew is דְבָרֵיהֶם הָרָעִים (d'vareihem hara'im), meaning "their evil matters" or "their evil works." The word רָעָה (ra'ah), pronounced rah-ah, translates as evil, wickedness, moral badness, disaster, or affliction. It signifies actions that are inherently wrong, harmful, and offensive to God. This term encapsulates the moral depravity and unrighteousness of Eli's sons. It's not just a minor infraction but a serious corruption.
- by all this people: כָּל־הָעָם הַזֶּה (kol-ha'am hazzeh), meaning "all the people" or "this entire nation." This phrase emphasizes the pervasive and scandalous nature of Hophni and Phinehas's sin. Their actions were not hidden but openly known and discussed by everyone, bringing disgrace to the priesthood and contempt for the Lord's worship throughout Israel. It was a public spectacle of ungodliness that directly defiled God's name and institution.
1 Samuel 2 23 Bonus section
The phrase "by all this people" implies more than just common gossip; it suggests the consistent and widespread testimony of many witnesses. The collective complaint highlights how Eli's sons' behavior not only corrupted the sanctuary practices but also actively undermined the people's faith and respect for God's institutions. This public offense brought reproach upon God, a far graver matter than any personal wrongdoing. The weakness of Eli's response here is especially significant when contrasted with his immediate and strong obedience to God's difficult prophecies (1 Sam 3:18). This reveals a profound disparity between his passive attitude toward his sons' manifest sin and his response to divine revelation, ultimately leading to severe consequences for his lineage.
1 Samuel 2 23 Commentary
1 Samuel 2:23 marks a pivotal moment where Eli finally confronts his sons about their widespread and publicly known wickedness. His words, though a rebuke, are notably gentle and lacking the authority needed for the gravity of the situation. He acknowledges the common rumor and complaint ("I hear of your evil dealings by all this people"), highlighting that their sin was not a secret but a scandalous fact known to the entire community. This public knowledge brought shame not only upon themselves but also upon their father, the priesthood, and ultimately, upon God's name and tabernacle. While Eli speaks out, his later actions (or lack thereof, as noted in 1 Sam 3:13) demonstrate a fatal failure to truly restrain his sons. This passive recognition, without strong, authoritative discipline, underscores Eli's primary sin: honoring his sons above God. This narrative serves as a potent warning against corrupt spiritual leadership, the devastating impact of unchecked sin, and the necessity of firm parental discipline in upholding God's honor.