King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 2:33 Mean?

1 Samuel 2:33 in the King James Version says “And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine hear... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 2:33 · KJV


Context

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.

35

And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One survivor will remain - not for blessing but for 'consuming eyes and grieving heart.' This descendant will live in misery, watching the house's decline while unable to prevent it. The phrase 'all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age' pictures young men cut down before their prime. This surviving witness becomes a perpetual reminder of judgment, living testimony to the consequences of honoring sons above God. Survival without restoration can be worse than death.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy likely refers to Abiathar, who survived the massacre at Nob (1 Samuel 22:20) only to be eventually expelled from the priesthood by Solomon (1 Kings 2:26-27). His long life witnessed the transfer of priestly authority from Eli's line to Zadok's.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can survival become a form of judgment rather than blessing?
  2. What does it mean to live as a witness to the consequences of others' sins?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֲנָשִֽׁים׃1 of 17

And the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לֹֽא2 of 17
H3808

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

אַכְרִ֤ית3 of 17

of thine whom I shall not cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לְךָ֙4 of 17
H0
מֵעִ֣ם5 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

מִזְבְּחִ֔י6 of 17

from mine altar

H4196

an altar

לְכַלּ֥וֹת7 of 17

shall be to consume

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אֶת8 of 17
H853

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

עֵינֶ֖יךָ9 of 17

thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְלַֽאֲדִ֣יב10 of 17

and to grieve

H109

to languish

אֶת11 of 17
H853

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

נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ12 of 17

thine heart

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְכָל13 of 17
H3605

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

מַרְבִּ֥ית14 of 17

and all the increase

H4768

a multitude; also offspring; specifically interest (on capital)

בֵּֽיתְךָ֖15 of 17

of thine house

H1004

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

יָמ֥וּתוּ16 of 17

shall die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֲנָשִֽׁים׃17 of 17

And the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)


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 2:33 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 2:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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