I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them.
Parallel translations
- WEB For I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he didn’t restrain them.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.
- NASB For I have told him that I am going to judge his house forever for the wrongdoing that he knew, because his sons were bringing a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them.
- NLT I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God judges Eli's house because Eli knew of his sons' wickedness yet failed to restrain them. Tolerating sin in those under our care brings guilt and judgment.
Overview
The specific charge against Eli is parental and priestly negligence: he honored his sons above God by not restraining their blasphemous conduct. This highlights the seriousness of leadership accountability before God. It points forward to the need for a perfectly faithful High Priest, Christ, who never compromises God's honor.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Prov 19:18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
- 1 Sam 2:12Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD
- Matt 10:37Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- 1 Sam 2:17Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.
- Prov 23:13–14Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
- 1 Kgs 1:6(His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)
- Ezek 7:3The end is now upon you, and I will unleash My anger against you. I will judge you according to your ways and repay you for all your abominations.
- Prov 29:15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
- Ezek 18:30Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
- Joel 3:12Let the nations be roused and advance to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit down to judge all the nations on every side.
- 1 Kgs 2:44The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head.
- 1 Jn 3:20Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
- 1 Sam 2:22–36Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Eccl 7:22For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
- 2 Chr 20:12Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 3:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.