Keraia
1 Samuel 2

1 Samuel 2:25

Eli’s Wicked Sons · 1 Samuel 2:12–26
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Translations

Modern
If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
Traditional
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
Literal
If one man sins against another, God will judge him, but if a man sins against YHWH, who will intercede for him?” And they did not listen to the voice of their father, because YHWH delighted to put them to death.
Latin
Si peccaverit vir in virum, placari ei potest Deus: si autem in Dominum peccaverit vir, quis orabit pro eo? Et non audierunt vocem patris sui: quia voluit Dominus occidere eos.

Original

Hebrew
English
If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.

Notes

1 Samuel 2:25

  • God (or the judges; Hebrew ’elohim): The Hebrew word translated intercede is plural here. When ’elohim means "God" it often takes a singular verb. Some ancient translations interpret ’elohim as “judges” in this context. If so, the judges would mediate for the guilty in a human court. Yet, many Hebrew scholars argue that ’elohim should not be translated as “judges.” If so, how could God intercede for the man who sinned? Eli might have believed that court decisions came directly from God. God might work through his written laws or through other events to either free or find guilty a person accused of doing something wrong. Or Eli might have been talking about the system of animal sacrifices.

  • The sexual wrongdoing in (1 Samuel 2:22) and excessive eating in (1 Samuel 2:12–17) of Eli’s sons were sins against the Lord. This was because they were corrupting how Israel worshiped God. No one can speak to God on behalf of sinners who completely refuse to follow God's will (see Matthew 12:31).

  • Eli’s sons ignored their father because the Lord had already started to punish them by making their hearts stubborn (see Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 8:15–32; 10:27; 11:10).

1 Samuel 2:22–25

Eli's weak efforts to correct his the behavior of his sons (see 1 Samuel 2:29) show he raised them without discipline (1 Samuel 3:13).

Theme notes and profiles

Eli Our Advocate The Priestly Blessing

Glossary

Phinehas Priests and Levites Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Children: Wicked: Eli's Sons Christian Minister: Eli's Sons Eli: Indulgent to his Corrupt Sons Hophni: Sin of Impenitence: Eli's Sons Intercession of Man with Man Judge: Character of, and Precepts Relating To Judge: Corrupt: Eli's Sons Obduracy (Hardness): Sons of Eli Predestination: Eli's Sons Wicked Children with Regard to Parents: Hearken not to Them