1 Samuel 2:34
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָא֗וֹת
And this shall be a sign
H226
הָא֗וֹת
And this shall be a sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
3 of 15
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָבֹא֙
unto thee that shall come
H935
יָבֹא֙
unto thee that shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָנֶ֔יךָ
sons
H1121
בָנֶ֔יךָ
sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּי֥וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 15
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
Cross References
1 Kings 13:3And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.1 Samuel 4:11And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.1 Samuel 4:17And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
Historical Context
Prophetic signs often involved near-term fulfillments that confirmed longer-term prophecies. Isaiah offered Ahaz a similar confirming sign (Isaiah 7:14). The literary pattern of announcing judgment with immediate verification appears throughout prophetic literature.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God confirms His word through fulfilled prophecy?
- What near-term signs might God be using to call attention to larger messages?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A confirming sign seals the prophecy: Hophni and Phinehas will die on the same day. This near-term fulfillment validates the entire prophetic message. When the sign comes true (chapter 4), Eli can know the extended prophecy will also be fulfilled. The doubling of death - both sons together - emphasizes divine judgment rather than coincidence. Signs in prophetic literature serve to authenticate the prophet's message and call the hearers to response. Eli's response will determine his personal standing before God.