King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
Complete Jewish Bible:
'Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed, because he was blind.
Berean Standard Bible:
Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.
American Standard Version:
Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now Eli{H5941} was ninety{H8673} and eight{H8083} years{H8141} old{H1121}; and his eyes{H5869} were dim{H6965}, that he could{H3201} not see{H7200}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 3:2
- And it came to pass at that time, when Eli [was] laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, [that] he could not see;
Genesis 27:1
- ¶ And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, [here am] I.
1 Kings 14:4
- And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.
Psalms 90:10
- The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
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Commentary for 1 Samuel 4:15
1 Samuel 4:15 presents a poignant snapshot in the life of Eli, the high priest of Israel, during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. At this point in the narrative, the Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God's presence with His people, has been captured by the Philistines after a disastrous battle at Aphek. Eli, at the advanced age of ninety-eight, is described as having dim eyes, a detail that not only reflects his physical frailty but also serves as a metaphor for his spiritual and moral blindness to the corruption within his own household.
The historical context of this verse is set during the time of the judges, a period characterized by spiritual decline, moral chaos, and political instability in Israel. Eli's priesthood is marked by the failings of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who are described earlier in the book as wicked men who did not know the Lord and who took advantage of their priestly privileges for personal gain. The loss of the Ark is both a national tragedy and a personal one for Eli, symbolizing the departure of God's favor from Israel and the impending judgment on Eli's family as foretold by a prophecy.
The themes of 1 Samuel 4:15 include the consequences of spiritual leadership gone awry, the decline of a nation due to moral failure, and the sovereignty of God over human affairs. Eli's physical inability to see is emblematic of his failure to perceive the gravity of the spiritual crisis facing his sons and the people of Israel. This verse underscores the interconnectedness of personal and national righteousness, and the inescapable reality that actions have consequences, both for individuals and for the community they lead. Eli's story serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities of leadership and the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5941
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵלִי
Transliteration: ʻÊlîy
Pronunciation: ay-lee'
Description: from עָלָה; lofty; Eli, an Israelite highpriest; Eli. - Strong's Number: H8673
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תִּשְׁעִים
Transliteration: tishʻîym
Pronunciation: tish-eem'
Description: multiple from תֵּשַׁע; ninety; ninety. - Strong's Number: H8083
There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁמֹנֶה
Transliteration: shᵉmôneh
Pronunciation: shem-o-neh'
Description: or שְׁמוֹנֶה; feminine שְׁמֹנָה; or שְׁמוֹנָה; apparently from שָׁמֵן through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth; eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H3201
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכֹל
Transliteration: yâkôl
Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.