1 Samuel 2:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 2:22 mean?

1 Samuel 2:22 describes how Eli, who was now very old, heard about the wrong things his sons were doing to all Israel, including having sexual relations with the women who served at the entrance of the tabernacle. This verse highlights both Eli’s age and his awareness of his sons’ serious misconduct in a sacred place.

The verse is set during the time when Eli was the high priest in Israel, and his sons served as priests under him. The situation is grave because the tabernacle was the center of Israel’s worship, and Eli’s sons were abusing their position by committing acts that were both immoral and sacrilegious. The verse sets the stage for the judgment that will come on Eli’s family because of these actions.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 2:22

• The word for "assembled" is נָצַב (natsav), which means to stand or be stationed. Here, it refers to women who regularly served or gathered at the entrance of the tabernacle, showing their role was recognized and ongoing, not a one-time event.
• The word for "tabernacle" is אֹהֶל (ohel), meaning tent, but in this context, it refers specifically to the sacred tent where God was worshiped, emphasizing the seriousness of the sons’ actions in such a holy place.
• The word for "congregation" is מוֹעֵד (moed), which often means appointed meeting or assembly. This highlights that the tabernacle was not just any tent, but the central place for Israel’s appointed worship and gatherings.

Why 1 Samuel 2:22 matters

• This verse clarifies that the sins of Eli’s sons were not just personal failings but public and deeply offensive acts that affected the whole community’s worship.
• The mention of the women at the tabernacle’s entrance shows that women played a recognized role in Israel’s worship life, which is sometimes overlooked.
• The verse helps explain why God’s judgment against Eli’s family was so severe, as their actions corrupted the very heart of Israel’s relationship with God.