1 Samuel 2:31 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 2:31 mean?

1 Samuel 2:31 announces that a time is coming when God will bring judgment on Eli’s family, cutting off their strength and causing no old men to remain in his household. This means Eli’s descendants will lose their position and longevity, and his family line will suffer.

In this verse, God is speaking through a prophet to Eli, the high priest, warning him about the consequences of his family’s unfaithfulness and failure to restrain his sons. The “arm” refers to strength or power, so to “cut off thine arm” means to remove Eli’s family’s influence and ability to continue in their priestly role. The warning is specific: none of Eli’s descendants will live to old age, showing the seriousness of their wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 2:31

• זְרוֹעַ (zĕroa‘) — “arm”: This word is used twice in the verse and often symbolizes strength, power, or ability. Here, it highlights that God is taking away the power and influence of Eli’s family, not just physically but also in their role and legacy.
• בֵּית (bêth) — “house”: This word means “household” or “family line.” The judgment is not just on Eli personally but on his entire family, affecting future generations.
• יָמִים (yamim) — “days”: This word, translated as “days,” points to a future time when the judgment will happen, emphasizing that this is a certain event God is declaring ahead of time.

Why 1 Samuel 2:31 matters

• This verse clarifies that God holds leaders accountable for both their actions and their failure to correct wrongdoing within their families, especially when they serve in spiritual roles.
• The specific mention of no old men remaining in Eli’s house highlights the completeness of the judgment and the loss of legacy, which would have been a significant blow in ancient Israelite culture.
• This warning sets up the later events in 1 Samuel, where God’s words come true, and it helps explain why Eli’s family loses its priestly role, connecting the prophecy to the unfolding story.