Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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, New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age. Berean Literal Bible Behold, the days are coming, and I will cut off your arm and the arm of the house of your father, lest there be an old man in your house. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible Behold, the days are coming when I will eliminate your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. NASB 1995 ‘Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house so that there will not be an old man in your house. NASB 1977 ‘Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house so that there will not be an old man in your house. Legacy Standard Bible Behold, the days are coming, and I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house so that there will not be an old man in your house. Amplified Bible Behold, the time is 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. Berean Annotated Bible Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age. Christian Standard Bible Look, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your forefather’s family, so that none in your family will reach old age. Holman Christian Standard Bible “ ‘Look, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your ancestral family, so that none in your family will reach old age. American Standard Version 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 thy house. Contemporary English Version The time will come when I will kill you and everyone else in your family. Not one of you will live to an old age. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation The time is coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father's house so that no one will grow old in your family. Good News Translation Listen, the time is coming when I will kill all the young men in your family and your clan, so that no man in your family will live to be old. International Standard Version The time is coming when I'll cut away at your family and your ancestor's family until there are no old men left in your family. NET Bible In fact, days are coming when I will remove your strength and the strength of your father's house. There will not be an old man in your house! New Heart English Bible Look, the days come, that I will cut off your descendants, and the descendants of your father's house, that there shall not be an old man in your house. Webster's Bible Translation Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thy arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thy house. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBehold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age. World English Bible Behold, the days come that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, that there will not be an old man in your house. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, days [are] coming, and I have cut off your arm, and the arm of the house of your father, that an old man is not in your house; Berean Literal Bible Behold, the days are coming, and I will cut off your arm and the arm of the house of your father, lest there be an old man in your house. Young's Literal Translation Lo, days are coming, and I have cut off thine arm, and the arm of the house of thy father, that an old man is not in thy house; Smith's Literal Translation Behold, the days coming and I cut off thy seed and the seed of thy father's house from being old in thy house. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold the days come: and I will cut off thy arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thy house. Catholic Public Domain Version Behold the days are arriving, when I will cut off your arm, and the arm of the house of your father, so that there will not be an old man in your house. New American Bible Yes, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in your family lives to old age. New Revised Standard Version See, a time is coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your ancestor’s family, so that no one in your family will live to old age. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, the days are coming when I will cut off your offspring and the offspring of your father, that there shall not be an old man in your house, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, days are coming, says LORD JEHOVAH, and I shall cut off your arm and the arm of your father, and there shall not be an old man in your house OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, 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 thy house. Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, the days come when I will destroy thy seed and the seed of thy father's house. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Prophecy Against the House of Eli…30Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. 31Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no older man will be left in your house. 32You will see distress in My dwelling place. Despite all that is good in Israel, no one in your house will ever again reach old age.… Cross References Behold, the days are coming Jeremiah 7:32 So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth and the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. For they will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. Jeremiah 31:27 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and of beast. Amos 8:11 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. when I will cut off your strength Psalm 10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found. Psalm 37:17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. Ezekiel 30:21-22 “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. See, it has not been bound up for healing, or splinted for strength to hold the sword. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand. and the strength of your father’s house, 1 Samuel 3:11-14 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle. / On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken about his house, from beginning to end. / 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. … 1 Samuel 4:11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died. 1 Kings 2:27 So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli. so that no one in it will reach old age. Psalm 55:23 But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short. Isaiah 65:20 No longer will a nursing infant live but a few days, or an old man fail to live out his years. For the youth will die at a hundred years, and he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. 1 Kings 2:27 So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli. 1 Kings 2:35 And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place. 1 Kings 14:14 Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam. This is the day—yes, even today! 1 Kings 14:10 Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone! Treasury of Scripture Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm, and the arm of your father's house, that there shall not be an old man in your house. 1 Samuel 4:2,11,17-20 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men… 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. 1 Samuel 22:17-20 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD… Jump to Previous Arm Break Cut House Line Short Strength TimeJump to Next Arm Break Cut House Line Short Strength Time1 Samuel 2 1. Hannah's song in thankfulness12. The sin of Eli's sons 18. Samuel's ministry 20. by Eli's blessing Hannah is more fruitful 22. Eli reproves his sons 27. A prophecy against Eli's house Behold, the days are coming This phrase introduces a prophetic declaration, indicating a future event that is certain to occur. In biblical prophecy, "the days are coming" often signals a divine intervention or judgment. This phrase is used similarly in other prophetic contexts, such as Jeremiah 31:31, where God promises a new covenant. It underscores the certainty and imminence of God's actions. when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house so that no one in it will reach old age Persons / Places / Events 1. EliThe high priest of Israel during the time of Samuel's birth. He is a central figure in this passage as the prophecy is directed towards him and his household. 2. Hophni and Phinehas Eli's sons, who were priests but acted wickedly, leading to God's judgment on Eli's house. 3. Shiloh The religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle was located and where Eli served as priest. 4. The Man of God An unnamed prophet who delivers God's message of judgment to Eli regarding the future of his family. 5. The House of Eli Refers to Eli's lineage, which is under judgment due to the sins of Eli's sons and Eli's failure to restrain them. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinThe passage highlights the serious consequences of sin, especially for those in spiritual leadership. Eli's failure to discipline his sons led to a generational curse on his family. God's Justice God's judgment on Eli's house demonstrates His commitment to justice and righteousness. He holds leaders accountable for their actions and the actions of those under their authority. The Importance of Godly Leadership Spiritual leaders are called to uphold God's standards and lead by example. Eli's account serves as a warning to maintain integrity and discipline within one's household. Generational Impact The sins of one generation can affect future generations. This underscores the importance of living a life that honors God and sets a positive example for descendants. Repentance and Change While the prophecy against Eli's house was severe, it serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and change to avert God's judgment. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 2:31?2. How does 1 Samuel 2:31 demonstrate God's judgment on Eli's household? 3. What lessons can we learn about obedience from 1 Samuel 2:31? 4. How does 1 Samuel 2:31 connect to God's justice throughout Scripture? 5. How can we apply the warning in 1 Samuel 2:31 to our lives? 6. What does "cut off your strength" signify in the context of this passage? 7. What does 1 Samuel 2:31 mean by "cut off your strength and the strength of your house"? 8. How does 1 Samuel 2:31 reflect God's judgment on Eli's family? 9. Why is the theme of divine retribution significant in 1 Samuel 2:31? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 2? 11. How historically plausible is it that one person like Doeg could have slaughtered 85 priests in one event (1 Samuel 22:18)? 12. How do we reconcile God’s protection of David with the horrific outcome that befell the priests who assisted him (1 Samuel 22)? 13. Why does this text present such severe violence against priests as sanctioned or uninterrupted (1 Samuel 22:19)? 14. Why would an omnipotent God allow His sacred Ark to be taken by enemies (1 Samuel 4:11)? What Does 1 Samuel 2:31 Mean Behold, the days are comingThe opening words “Behold, the days are coming” (1 Samuel 2:31) carry a sober note of certainty. God is not guessing or warning vaguely; He is announcing a fixed moment in real history. Similar prophetic phrases appear in Jeremiah 7:32 and 2 Kings 20:17, reminding us that when the Lord sets a day for judgment or blessing, it is as sure as tomorrow’s sunrise. For Eli, this phrase signals that God’s patience with the corrupt priesthood is nearing its limit, just as He later declared definite days for Jerusalem’s fall (Luke 19:43–44). when I will cut off your strength “Strength” points to Eli’s physical line and his priestly authority. The Lord Himself says, “I will cut off,” underscoring that judgment comes straight from His hand (Deuteronomy 32:39). We watch the fulfillment unfold in 1 Samuel 4:11–18 when Eli’s two sons die in battle and Eli himself falls dead. Psalm 75:7 echoes the principle: “It is God who judges; He brings down one, He exalts another.” What seems like a sudden calamity is in fact the deliberate removal of corrupted strength. and the strength of your father’s house The blow is not limited to Eli alone; it extends “to your father’s house,” meaning the wider Aaronic family branch descending from Ithamar. The house’s priestly influence unravels across generations. Much later, 1 Kings 2:27 records Solomon expelling Abiathar—Eli’s last prominent descendant—from the priesthood, “fulfilling the word that the LORD had spoken concerning the house of Eli.” The judgment is thorough: individual sin has corporate fallout, paralleling Numbers 20:12 where Moses’ personal lapse affected his family line’s future. so that no one in it will reach old age The final clause seals the sentence: premature death will stalk Eli’s descendants. We see it in 1 Samuel 22:18–19 when Doeg the Edomite slaughters eighty-five priests linked to Eli. Psalm 55:23 states, “But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days.” Long life, a covenant blessing in passages like Deuteronomy 5:33, is here revoked. The destiny of Eli’s house contrasts starkly with the promise in Psalm 91:16, “With long life I will satisfy him,” illustrating how obedience or rebellion determines which side of God’s covenant promises a family experiences. summary 1 Samuel 2:31 is God’s unequivocal verdict on Eli’s compromised priesthood. A definite day of reckoning would arrive; the Lord Himself would remove their influence, extend the judgment to the entire lineage, and cut their lives short. The verse stands as a sober reminder that God guards His glory, honors faithfulness, and will not indefinitely tolerate sin among those who represent Him. (31) I will cut off thine arm.--"The arm" signifies power and strength: "Thy power and strength, and that of thy house is doomed." (See for the figure Job 22:9; Psalm 37:17.)And there shall not be an old man in thine house.--No one more in thy house, O High Priest, who hast so signally failed in thy solemn duty, shall attain to old age; sickness or the sword shall ever early consume its members. This strange denunciation of the "man of God" is emphasised by being repeated in the next (32) verse, and in different words again in 1Samuel 2:33. Verse 31. - I will cut off thine arm. The arm is the usual metaphor for strength. As Eli had preferred the exaltation of his sons to God's honour, he is condemned to see the strength of his house broken. Nay, more; there is not to be an "old man in his house." The young men full of energy and vigour perish by the sword; the Survivors fade away by disease. The Jews say that the house of Ithamar was peculiarly short-lived, but the prophecy was amply fulfilled in the slaughter of Eli's house, first at Shiloh, and then at Nob by Doeg the Edomite at the command of Saul. There is nothing to warrant an abiding curse upon his family. The third or fourth generation is the limit of the visitation of the sins of the fathers upon the children.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Behold,הִנֵּה֙ (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! the days יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day are coming בָּאִ֔ים (bā·’îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go when I will cut off וְגָֽדַעְתִּי֙ (wə·ḡā·ḏa‘·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1438: To fell a, tree, to destroy anything your strength זְרֹ֣עֲךָ֔ (zə·rō·‘ă·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2220: The arm, the foreleg, force and the strength זְרֹ֖עַ (zə·rō·a‘) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2220: The arm, the foreleg, force of your father's אָבִ֑יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father house, בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house so that no older man זָקֵ֖ן (zā·qên) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2205: Old will be left מִֽהְי֥וֹת (mih·yō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be in your house. בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃ (bə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house Links 1 Samuel 2:31 NIV1 Samuel 2:31 NLT 1 Samuel 2:31 ESV 1 Samuel 2:31 NASB 1 Samuel 2:31 KJV 1 Samuel 2:31 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 2:31 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 2:31 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 2:31 French Bible 1 Samuel 2:31 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 2:31 Behold the days come that I will (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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