1 Samuel 2:30
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.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יְהוָה֙
Wherefore the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
Wherefore the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּבֵ֣ית
and the house
H1004
וּבֵ֣ית
and the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּבֵ֣ית
and the house
H1004
וּבֵ֣ית
and the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
9 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֔יךָ
of thy father
H1
אָבִ֔יךָ
of thy father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
יִתְהַלְּכ֥וּ
should walk
H1980
יִתְהַלְּכ֥וּ
should walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנַ֖י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַד
me for
H5704
עַד
me for
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
13 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עוֹלָ֑ם
ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֑ם
ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְעַתָּ֤ה
H6258
יְהוָה֙
Wherefore the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
Wherefore the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
חָלִ֣ילָה
Be it far from me
H2486
חָלִ֣ילָה
Be it far from me
Strong's:
H2486
Word #:
18 of 24
literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲכַבֵּ֖ד
for them that honour
H3513
אֲכַבֵּ֖ד
for them that honour
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
21 of 24
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
אֲכַבֵּ֖ד
for them that honour
H3513
אֲכַבֵּ֖ד
for them that honour
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
22 of 24
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
Cross References
John 12:26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.Malachi 1:6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?2 Chronicles 15:2And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Psalms 91:14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.Psalms 50:23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.Exodus 29:9And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be their's for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.Psalms 18:20The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.John 5:23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Historical Context
The conditional nature of many biblical promises is crucial for proper interpretation. Descendants of Eli continued in priestly roles but lost the high priesthood, which transferred to Zadok under Solomon (1 Kings 2:26-27, 35). The promise was not annulled but passed to faithful branches.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you understand the relationship between divine promises and human responsibility?
- What does it mean practically to 'honour' God in daily life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's response introduces a crucial principle: 'them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.' The original promise ('thy house...should walk before me for ever') was conditional on faithful obedience. Divine promises do not override human responsibility. The phrase 'Be it far from me' expresses God's revulsion at continuing to bless the disobedient. This verse does not teach that salvation can be lost but that covenant blessings flow through covenant faithfulness. Privilege without obedience leads to forfeiture.