Bible Strands
1 Samuel 3:14
Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, ‘The iniquity of Eli’s house shall never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses Samuel directly, delivering a divine oath regarding Eli’s household immediately after outlining the eternal judgment for tolerating his sons’ blasphemy.
The words — The declaration rests on נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּי (nishba'ti), meaning "I have sworn," and יִתְכַּפֵּ֑ר (yitkapper), meaning "it will be atoned for."
The thread — This irrevocable judgment parallels the unatoned sin in Isaiah 22:14, the permanent cutoff for defiant blasphemy in Numbers 15:30, and the absence of intercession for sins against the Lord in 1 Samuel 2:25.
Why it lands — It requires acknowledging that a divine oath supersedes ritual substitution when rebellion becomes entrenched and unaddressed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 22:14 The LORD of Hosts has revealed in my hearing: “Until your dying day, this sin of yours will never be atoned for,” says the Lord GOD of Hosts.
- Numbers 15:30 But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.
- 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
- Jeremiah 7:16 As for you, do not pray for these people, do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.
- Jeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!
- Leviticus 15:31 You must keep the children of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle, which is among them.
- Psalms 51:16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.
- Ezekiel 24:13 Because of the indecency of your uncleanness I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be purified from your filthiness. You will not be pure again until My wrath against you has subsided.
- Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
- Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,