1 Samuel 2 31

1 Samuel 2:31 kjv

Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

1 Samuel 2:31 nkjv

Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.

1 Samuel 2:31 niv

The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age,

1 Samuel 2:31 esv

Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.

1 Samuel 2:31 nlt

The time is coming when I will put an end to your family, so it will no longer serve as my priests. All the members of your family will die before their time. None will reach old age.

1 Samuel 2 verses

1 Samuel 2 31 Meaning

This verse declares God's imminent judgment upon the house of Eli. It foretells a definitive severing of their strength, which represents their authority, vitality, and ability to continue in their priestly functions. The pronouncement also states that no one from their household will reach old age, signifying untimely deaths and the cessation of generational continuity, honor, and wisdom within their lineage. It is a divine condemnation for their unfaithfulness and desecration of sacred things.

1 Samuel 2 31 Context

First Samuel chapter 2 contrasts the faithfulness of Hannah and Samuel with the corrupt practices of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and Eli's failure to restrain them effectively. Hannah's prayer (1 Sam 2:1-10) extols God's holiness and His sovereign control over all things, including the exalting and abasing of individuals, foreshadowing the downfall of Eli's house and the rise of Samuel. Eli's sons were treating the sacrifices with contempt, exploiting the people, and engaging in immorality, even at the entrance of the tabernacle (1 Sam 2:12-17, 22-25). Though Eli mildly rebuked them, his actions were insufficient (1 Sam 2:29). This grave abuse of their priestly office, given its sacred nature, incurred God's severe displeasure. The specific judgment of verse 31 is part of a longer prophetic declaration by a "man of God" (1 Sam 2:27-36), detailing the removal of the priestly privilege and the dire consequences for Eli's lineage due to their sin. This event took place during the period of the Judges, before Israel had a king, when the tabernacle was in Shiloh.

1 Samuel 2 31 Word Analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): An interjection used to draw immediate and emphatic attention to what is about to be said. It signifies a declaration of great importance and certainty, often signaling a prophetic announcement from God. It commands the hearer's focus.
• the days are coming (יָמִים בָּאִים, yamim ba'im): A common prophetic idiom, indicating that the fulfillment of the preceding or following prophecy is certain to occur in the future. It denotes a definite time appointed by God, not necessarily immediately, but assuredly.
• when I will cut off (קָטַעְתִּי, qata'ti): From the Hebrew verb qata', meaning "to cut off," "to chop off," "to amputate," or "to hew off." This is a very strong, decisive verb, indicating a violent and complete severance or termination. It emphasizes the direct, intentional, and irreversible divine action. God Himself is the agent of this destruction.
• your strength (זְרוֹעֶךָ, zero'eka): Literally "your arm." In this context, "arm" is a metaphor for power, might, influence, capability, and the ability to act effectively. It specifically refers to Eli's personal strength, authority, and vitality, particularly in his capacity as high priest. It denotes the functional power to uphold the priestly office.
• and the strength of your father’s house (וּזְרוֹעַ בֵּית אָבִיךָ, u-zero'a beit avikha): This extends the judgment beyond Eli as an individual to his entire paternal lineage, the house (family, dynasty) from which he came. This implies a systemic and generational withdrawal of power, honor, and influence, signifying a complete eradication of their priestly prominence and succession. It emphasizes that the judgment is not just personal but dynastic.
• so that there will not be an old man (לְבִלְתִּי יִהְיֶה זָקֵן, le'viləti yihye zaqen): The Hebrew zaqen (old man/elder) implies wisdom, honor, respect, leadership, and long life. Longevity was highly valued and seen as a blessing of God's favor in ancient Israel. The phrase "not be an old man" means that members of Eli's household will die prematurely, failing to reach old age. This is a severe curse, implying truncated lives, lack of generational continuity, loss of dignity, and the absence of experienced leadership and wise counsel from their family. It directly contradicts the blessing of honoring parents resulting in a long life.
• in your house (בְּבֵיתֶךָ, be'veiteka): Refers to Eli's household, encompassing his immediate family and future descendants, extending through his family line. This highlights the intergenerational nature of the judgment for the spiritual failures within that lineage.

1 Samuel 2 31 Bonus section

• The term "strength" (zeroa) often refers to the arm as the seat of physical power, used to perform actions. In the context of the priesthood, it implies the inability to physically carry out the rituals, sacrifices, and duties required for temple service, or simply the removal of the divine enabling for such service.
• The absence of an old man is not necessarily the physical death of every single elderly person but refers to the tendency or pattern within that line: the average lifespan would be significantly cut short, and very few, if any, would live long enough to gain the respect and influence of an elder, signaling a profound divine displeasure upon their very existence as a viable lineage of leadership.
• This passage underscores the accountability of spiritual leaders not only for their own actions but also for the state of affairs under their charge. Eli was held responsible for his failure to effectively restrain his sons, indicating that tolerance of sin can be as culpable as outright commission.
• The judgment on Eli's house sets a precedent for God's direct intervention and cleansing of corruption within His established religious institutions, foreshadowing later divine judgments on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah for similar spiritual unfaithfulness.

1 Samuel 2 31 Commentary

1 Samuel 2:31 is a solemn prophetic pronouncement that reveals God's unyielding standard for holiness, especially concerning those in positions of spiritual leadership. The "cutting off" of strength symbolizes the revocation of priestly authority and vigor. Eli's family, by tolerating and participating in the corruption of Hophni and Phinehas, essentially dishonored God. This judgment is not arbitrary; it directly contrasts with the divine promise to honor those who honor God (1 Sam 2:30). The phrase "no old man" is a powerful symbol of profound curse: instead of experiencing the blessings of long life, wisdom, and continuity (as seen in obedience, Ex 20:12; Prov 3:2), Eli's descendants would face premature death. This also implies a loss of reverence and respect for their priestly office. This prophecy began to unfold quickly with the deaths of Hophni and Phinehas on the same day (1 Sam 4:11) and Eli's subsequent death, and it reached its full realization centuries later when Solomon removed Abiathar, the last prominent priest from Eli's line (1 Ki 2:27), fulfilling the severance of strength. This severe judgment paved the way for God to raise a "faithful priest" (1 Sam 2:35), first seen in Samuel's indirect leadership, then Zadok and his descendants, ultimately foreshadowing the perfect and eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ (Heb 7).