1 Samuel 2 33

1 Samuel 2:33 kjv

And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.

1 Samuel 2:33 nkjv

But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age.

1 Samuel 2:33 niv

Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.

1 Samuel 2:33 esv

The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men.

1 Samuel 2:33 nlt

The few not cut off from serving at my altar will survive, but only so their eyes can go blind and their hearts break, and their children will die a violent death.

1 Samuel 2 verses

1 Samuel 2 33 Meaning

This verse is a divine decree of judgment pronounced by God against the priestly lineage of Eli. It signifies that even those descendants of Eli who might continue in some form of priestly service, escaping direct removal from the altar, will endure a life of debilitating anguish—characterized by extreme physical weakness (failing eyes) and profound internal sorrow (grief of soul). Furthermore, the prophecy states that the flourishing younger generation, the strength and potential continuation of Eli's house, will suffer untimely deaths, thereby preventing the natural growth and succession of his family. This devastating judgment is a direct consequence of Eli's failure to honor God supremely and his negligence in restraining the corrupt and profane actions of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, concerning the sacred service of the Lord.

1 Samuel 2 33 Context

This verse is found within a solemn prophecy delivered to Eli, the high priest of Israel, by an anonymous "man of God." This divine message begins by recounting God's grace in choosing Eli's ancestral house for the priesthood in Israel. However, it quickly pivots to severe condemnation of Eli's failure to honor God, specifically for allowing his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to grossly disrespect God's sacrifices and commit immorality within the very precinct of the Tabernacle. Eli's passive response to their wickedness, effectively prioritizing his sons over God, constitutes the central offense. Verse 33, therefore, outlines the long-term, painful repercussions of this parental and priestly negligence, detailing not merely physical destruction but a sustained period of affliction, culminating in the untimely death of the next generations and the eventual erosion of his house's vitality and role in the priesthood. This judgment sets the stage for a dramatic shift in Israel's leadership, foreshadowing the rise of Samuel and the subsequent transfer of the high priesthood to another line.

1 Samuel 2 33 Word analysis

• And every one of your family:
  • The Hebrew word for "family" is bayit (בַּיִת), meaning "house," "lineage," or "dynasty." This signifies a comprehensive judgment extending to Eli's entire priestly ancestry and future generations, highlighting the corporate aspect of sin and judgment within ancient Israel, especially for prominent covenantal roles like the priesthood.
• whom I do not cut off:
  • Karath (כָּרַת) is the Hebrew verb "to cut," often used in the context of "cutting off" or severing, particularly in covenant (karath berith). Here, it implies decisive removal, either from life or from priestly function. The phrase "whom I do not cut off" suggests a specific segment of the lineage that would survive, but for a worse fate than outright death.
• from My altar:
  • The mizbechi (מִזְבְּחִי) is "My altar," representing the very core of Israelite worship, atonement, and divine communion. Being "cut off from My altar" means the revocation of priestly rights, duties, and access to God's presence, signifying a definitive disqualification from their sacred hereditary office.
• shall be consumed:
  • Kalah (כָּלָה) denotes "to finish," "to bring to an end," but also "to pine away," "to languish," or "to fail." It describes a gradual, debilitating decay rather than an instant, forceful cessation, implying a drawn-out existence of suffering.
• by eyes that fail:
  • Kᵉloth 'eynayim (כְּלוֹת עֵינַיִם), "the failing of eyes." This can denote physical dimness (Eli himself was old and his eyes dim, 1 Sam 3:2), but primarily symbolizes extreme sorrow, mental anguish, despondency, or constant grief that saps life's vigor and obscures clear vision or hope for the future.
• and grief of soul:
  • Da'avôn nefesh (דַּאֲבֹון נֶפֶשׁ) literally means "languishing of soul" or "consuming of soul." Nefesh is "soul," "life-force," or "inner self." This phrase indicates deep, pervasive, and sustained internal anguish, depression, or profound spiritual and emotional desolation, a bitter state of perpetual sorrow.
• and all the increase of your house:
  • Kol-marbit beiteka (כָּל־מַרְבִּית בֵּיתֶךָ), translates as "all the abundance" or "the growing increase of your house." This refers to the thriving progeny, particularly the younger, capable, and vibrant members, indicating that the judgment targets the very future potential and continuation of Eli's family line.
• shall die in the flower of their age:
  • The Hebrew reads yamutu anashim, "they shall die as men," or "die young men." This idiomatic expression signifies a premature death, before reaching their full maturity, strength, or prime of life. It emphasizes the devastating loss of life and future strength for Eli's lineage, effectively crippling its ability to continue and flourish.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And every one of your family whom I do not cut off from My altar": This clause sets up a chilling irony: while some of Eli's descendants might avoid outright extermination or immediate removal from priestly duties, their survival would entail an existence filled with ongoing suffering. This signifies a prolonged, visible demonstration of divine judgment, an agonizing survival that is arguably worse than quick death.
• "shall be consumed by eyes that fail, and grief of soul": This part describes the bitter fate of those who remain. Their life will not be of joy or health but a constant, debilitating decline. The physical (failing eyes) and emotional/spiritual (grief of soul) suffering ensures a miserable, wasting existence, marking them as objects of divine displeasure and perpetual sorrow.
• "and all the increase of your house shall die in the flower of their age": This clause completes the devastating picture of judgment. It focuses on the most vital part of the family: the young and strong men. Their untimely demise guarantees the cessation of the family's growth and effectively seals the fate of Eli's lineage from maintaining a prominent future within the priesthood. This speaks to a decimation of future generations and family power.

1 Samuel 2 33 Bonus section

• The judgment on Eli's house finds historical fulfillment later, particularly when King Solomon deposes Abiathar, a direct descendant of Eli, from the priesthood, elevating Zadok in his place (1 Kgs 2:26-27). This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word and the long-reaching effects of prophetic pronouncements.
• The suffering described—failing eyes and grief of soul—is a psychological and emotional punishment alongside physical loss. This profound anguish often reflects a sense of being perpetually shamed or haunted by their cursed status, making their very existence a torment.
• This passage powerfully illustrates the principle of corporate responsibility within Israel, especially for leaders of a family or clan holding a sacred office. Eli's personal failure, amplified by his position as high priest, led to widespread family consequences.
• The severity of the punishment for what might seem like "minor" failures (compared to immediate death for his sons) for Eli, underscores God's uncompromising standard for those in sacred office and leadership, where upholding divine honor is paramount.

1 Samuel 2 33 Commentary

1 Samuel 2:33 stands as a solemn and multi-layered pronouncement of divine judgment upon the house of Eli. The root of this judgment lies in Eli's gross negligence in upholding God's honor, allowing his sons to profane sacred offerings and engage in blatant immorality without firm restraint. The severity of the punishment reflects the high calling of the priesthood and the abhorrence of corruption within it. The verse reveals two aspects of God's wrath: a prolonged, agonizing decline for those who persist in the corrupted priestly service, and a sweeping premature death for the burgeoning younger generations of Eli's family. "Eyes that fail" speaks to a physical and emotional weariness, perhaps even alluding to Eli's own deteriorating eyesight, symbolizing deep and unending sorrow. "Grief of soul" highlights profound internal anguish and spiritual despondency, ensuring a miserable existence even for those not physically "cut off." The phrase "die in the flower of their age" underscores a complete loss of vitality and future for Eli's lineage, effectively preventing its growth and succession. This judgment demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to holiness, ensuring that despite human failure, His purposes would prevail through a purified priesthood, setting the stage for future faithfulness and demonstrating the severe consequences of disobedience for those entrusted with His sacred things. This highlights the enduring principle that personal and familial sin, especially when committed by leaders, brings severe, sometimes generational, repercussions.