King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 2:30 Mean?

1 Samuel 2:30 in the King James Version says “Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

1 Samuel 2:30 · KJV


Context

28

And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29

Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

31

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.

32

And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. an enemy: or, the affliction of the tabernacle, for all the wealth which God would have given Israel


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's response introduces a crucial principle: 'them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.' The original promise ('thy house...should walk before me for ever') was conditional on faithful obedience. Divine promises do not override human responsibility. The phrase 'Be it far from me' expresses God's revulsion at continuing to bless the disobedient. This verse does not teach that salvation can be lost but that covenant blessings flow through covenant faithfulness. Privilege without obedience leads to forfeiture.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The conditional nature of many biblical promises is crucial for proper interpretation. Descendants of Eli continued in priestly roles but lost the high priesthood, which transferred to Zadok under Solomon (1 Kings 2:26-27, 35). The promise was not annulled but passed to faithful branches.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you understand the relationship between divine promises and human responsibility?
  2. What does it mean practically to 'honour' God in daily life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

נְאֻם2 of 24

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָה֙3 of 24

Wherefore the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י4 of 24

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒5 of 24

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אָמַ֔רְתִּי6 of 24

I said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָמַ֔רְתִּי7 of 24

I said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וּבֵ֣ית8 of 24

and the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וּבֵ֣ית9 of 24

and the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִ֔יךָ10 of 24

of thy father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יִתְהַלְּכ֥וּ11 of 24

should walk

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנַ֖י12 of 24

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

עַד13 of 24

me for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָ֑ם14 of 24

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְעַתָּ֤ה15 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

נְאֻם16 of 24

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָה֙17 of 24

Wherefore the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

חָלִ֣ילָה18 of 24

Be it far from me

H2486

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

לִּ֔י19 of 24
H0
כִּֽי20 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲכַבֵּ֖ד21 of 24

for them that honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

אֲכַבֵּ֖ד22 of 24

for them that honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

וּבֹזַ֥י23 of 24

and they that despise

H959

to disesteem

יֵקָֽלּוּ׃24 of 24

me shall be lightly esteemed

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 2:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 2:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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