King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 2:32 Mean?

1 Samuel 2:32 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an o... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 2:32 · KJV


Context

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

33

And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. in the flower: Heb. men

34

And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prophecy extends to sanctuary destruction: 'thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation.' Eli would witness the beginning of Shiloh's downfall - the Ark captured, his sons killed, the sanctuary eventually destroyed. 'In all the wealth which God shall give Israel' indicates that national prosperity would continue but Eli's house would be excluded. They would watch others blessed while they suffered. The enduring nature of the curse ('there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever') emphasizes permanence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy finds initial fulfillment in chapter 4 when Eli learns of the Ark's capture and dies. Shiloh's complete destruction, likely by Philistines around 1050 BCE, is referenced in Jeremiah 7:12-14 as paradigm for Jerusalem's coming judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is worse: suffering judgment or watching others blessed while you are excluded?
  2. How does sanctuary destruction demonstrate God's willingness to judge even sacred places?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהִבַּטְתָּ֙1 of 14

And thou shalt see

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

צַ֣ר2 of 14

an enemy

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

מָע֔וֹן3 of 14

in my habitation

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

בְּכֹ֥ל4 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר5 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֵיטִ֖יב6 of 14

in all the wealth which God shall give

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

אֶת7 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל8 of 14

Israel

H3478

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

וְלֹֽא9 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֥ה10 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

זָקֵ֛ן11 of 14

and there shall not be an old man

H2205

old

בְּבֵֽיתְךָ֖12 of 14

in thine house

H1004

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

כָּל13 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַיָּמִֽים׃14 of 14

for ever

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso


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 2:32 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 2:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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