King James Version
1 Samuel 2:12 in the King James Version says “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.”
1 Samuel 2:12 · KJV
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Now the sons”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“Now the sons”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“of Belial”
H1100without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“they knew”
H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“not the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
1 Samuel 2:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Samuel 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge