1 Samuel 2:22

KJV

Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now Eli {H5941} was very {H3966} old {H2204}, and heard {H8085} all that his sons {H1121} did {H6213} unto all Israel {H3478}; and how they lay {H7901} with the women {H802} that assembled {H6633} at the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When 'Eli was very old, he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Isra'el, and that they were having sex with the women doing service at the door of the tent of meeting.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

American Standard Version

Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how that they lay with the women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 2:22 starkly reveals the profound moral and spiritual decay within Israel's priestly leadership during the judgeship of Eli. Despite his advanced age, Eli was fully aware of the egregious misconduct of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who, as priests, not only exploited the sacrificial system but also engaged in shocking sexual immorality with women who served at the very entrance of the sacred Tabernacle. This verse underscores the deep corruption that had infiltrated the heart of Israelite worship, setting the stage for divine judgment and the transition to a new era of leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a narrative that contrasts the declining house of Eli with the rising faithfulness of young Samuel. The preceding verses in [1 Samuel 2](/1_samuel/2 "1 Samuel 2 - Hannah's Prayer and Eli's Corrupt Sons") detail the initial wickedness of Hophni and Phinehas, specifically their contempt for the sacrificial offerings, taking the best portions for themselves before they were properly presented to the Lord ([1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Wickedness of Eli's Sons")). Verse 22 introduces an even more scandalous dimension of their sin: sexual immorality committed at the Tabernacle door, escalating their defilement from ritual impurity to moral depravity. This sets the stage for Eli's belated and ineffective rebuke ([1 Samuel 2:23-25](/1_samuel/2-23 "1 Samuel 2:23-25 - Eli Rebukes His Sons")), which ultimately proves insufficient to avert the severe divine judgment prophesied against his priestly house ([1 Samuel 2:27-36](/1_samuel/2-27 "1 Samuel 2:27-36 - Prophecy Against Eli's House")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During this period, Eli served as both High Priest and Judge in Israel, a critical transitional time before the monarchy. The Tabernacle at Shiloh was the central place of worship, where God's presence was manifested, and where the people came to offer sacrifices and seek atonement. Priests were consecrated to mediate between God and His people, upholding holiness and teaching the Law. The phrase "women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle" likely refers to women who performed various forms of service there, perhaps as gatekeepers, attendants, or even those who came regularly for prayer or vows. For Eli's sons to engage in sexual immorality with these women, at the very threshold of God's dwelling place, was an act of profound sacrilege and abuse of their sacred office, directly violating the purity required for those ministering in the Lord's presence and for the sanctity of the worship space itself.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel. It highlights the **corruption of spiritual leadership**, demonstrating how those entrusted with mediating God's holiness can become the greatest source of defilement. This priestly failure underscores the urgent need for a new, faithful priesthood, foreshadowing the rise of Samuel and ultimately the establishment of the monarchy as God's chosen means of leadership. Furthermore, the actions of Hophni and Phinehas represent a blatant **desecration of sacred space**, turning a place meant for divine encounter into a site of profanity, which is a direct affront to God's holiness. Finally, Eli's awareness and insufficient action emphasize the theme of **parental accountability** and the severe consequences of failing to discipline one's household, particularly when it impacts the spiritual well-being of the entire nation, as seen in the subsequent judgment on Eli's house in [1 Samuel 4:11](/1_samuel/4-11 "1 Samuel 4:11 - The Death of Eli's Sons and Capture of the Ark").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"lay with" (Hebrew, _shakhav'_):** This verb, שָׁכַב, is a common biblical term for lying down, but in this context, especially when used with "women," it is a clear euphemism for sexual intercourse. Its use here unequivocally denotes sexual immorality. The gravity of the sin is amplified by its perpetrators (priests) and its location (the Tabernacle entrance), indicating a deliberate and audacious defilement of sacred purity.
* **"assembled" (Hebrew, _tsava'_):** The verb צָבָא, often translated as "assembled" or "served," carries a primary meaning of military service or organized duty, as in "going forth to war" or "performing service." In the context of the Tabernacle, it suggests that these women were engaged in some form of organized service or regular attendance. This could range from specific duties (e.g., guarding the entrance, drawing water, maintaining the sanctuary) to simply being devout women who regularly gathered there for worship. Regardless of the precise nature of their "assembly," the fact that Eli's sons exploited or engaged in illicit sexual acts with them while they were performing sacred duties or seeking God's presence highlights the profound abuse of power and sacred trust.
* **"tabernacle of the congregation" (Hebrew, _ohel mo'ed'_):** This phrase, אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, literally means "tent of meeting." It refers to the portable sanctuary where God met with His people, where sacrifices were offered, and where the Ark of the Covenant resided. It was the central symbol of God's presence and holiness among Israel. The phrase "at the door" (פֶּתַח, _petach_) emphasizes the immediate proximity to the most sacred space, making the priests' actions an open and public affront to God's sanctity and the purity demanded of His worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now Eli was very old,"**: This clause establishes Eli's advanced age, which often implies a decline in physical and perhaps even moral vigor or authority. His age serves as a contrast to the energetic and defiant wickedness of his sons, suggesting a high priest who is no longer capable of effectively governing his household or the spiritual affairs of the nation.
* **"and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel;"**: This indicates Eli's full awareness of his sons' widespread misconduct. Their actions were not secret but were known throughout Israel, implying a pattern of public and notorious sin that affected the entire community and brought disrepute upon the priesthood and the worship of Yahweh. The phrase "unto all Israel" underscores the national scope of their defilement and the resulting spiritual harm.
* **"and how they lay with the women that assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."**: This final clause specifies the most egregious of their sins: sexual immorality. The explicit mention of "women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle" highlights the sacrilegious nature of their acts. To engage in such defilement at the very entrance of God's holy dwelling place was an act of profound contempt for God's holiness, an abuse of their priestly authority, and a direct violation of the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the purity required of those who ministered there.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the juxtaposition of Eli's "very old" age and his sons' vigorous, public sin, highlighting the generational and moral decay within the priestly line. There is also a stark **irony** in the fact that the very individuals consecrated to facilitate holiness and mediate God's presence are the ones actively defiling the sacred space and corrupting the people. The phrase "at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation" serves as powerful **symbolism**, emphasizing the defilement occurring at the very threshold of God's dwelling, a blatant affront to divine sanctity. Furthermore, the verse acts as **foreshadowing**, signaling the inevitable divine judgment upon Eli's house and the need for a radical spiritual cleansing and the establishment of a new, faithful priesthood, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Samuel and, later, the ultimate High Priest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the theological principle that God's holiness demands purity, especially from those who minister in His name and in His sacred spaces. The actions of Eli's sons were not merely moral failings but a direct affront to Yahweh's character, demonstrating a contempt for His covenant and the sanctity of His presence. Their abuse of priestly office and the desecration of the Tabernacle underscored the urgent need for a faithful priesthood, one that would truly honor God and lead the people in righteousness. This narrative serves as a stark warning against the dangers of corrupt leadership and the devastating consequences of spiritual apathy and unaddressed sin within the community of faith.

* [Leviticus 10:1-3](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-3 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")
* [Malachi 2:7-9](/malachi/2-7 "Malachi 2:7-9 - The Priest's Lips Should Preserve Knowledge")
* [Jeremiah 7:9-11](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9-11 - Temple as a Den of Robbers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of Eli's sons serves as an enduring spiritual mirror for all generations, particularly for those in positions of spiritual authority, but also for every believer. It compels us to examine the integrity of our own lives and ministries, reminding us that true leadership is characterized by humble service, unwavering moral purity, and a profound reverence for God's holiness. The defilement of the Tabernacle by Eli's sons underscores that God's presence, whether in a physical sanctuary or within the believer as a temple of the Holy Spirit, demands utmost respect and purity. We are called to actively guard against any form of sin that would profane our bodies, our churches, or our witness to the world. Furthermore, Eli's passive response highlights the critical importance of spiritual accountability and decisive action against sin, especially when it threatens to corrupt the community of faith and dishonor God's name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the misconduct of Eli's sons challenge our understanding of spiritual authority and accountability in the church today?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, inadvertently "desecrate" sacred spaces or God's presence through our actions or attitudes?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Eli's failure to address his sons' sin, and how can we apply them to confronting sin within our own spheres of influence?**
* **How does the concept of God's holiness, as revealed in this passage, shape our approach to worship and personal conduct?**

### FAQ
**Who were the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle, and what does this imply about the nature of the sin?**

Answer: The phrase "women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle" (Hebrew: הַנָּשִׁים הַצֹּבְאוֹת פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, _hannashim hatstsov'ot petach ohel mo'ed_) refers to women who regularly gathered or performed some form of service at the Tabernacle. The verb "assembled" (_tsava_) can denote organized service, possibly implying roles such as gatekeepers, attendants, or women who came for specific vows or prayers, as seen in [Exodus 38:8](/exodus/38-8 "Exodus 38:8 - The Bronze Laver from the Mirrors of the Serving Women"). The nature of the sin is particularly heinous because it involved sexual immorality perpetrated by priests, who were meant to be holy, and committed at the very entrance of God's holy dwelling place. This was a profound abuse of power, a violation of sacred trust, and a public act of sacrilege that defiled both the individuals and the holy space, bringing shame upon God's name and the entire nation.

**What were the consequences of Eli's sons' actions and Eli's inaction?**

Answer: The consequences were severe and far-reaching, directly leading to divine judgment on Eli's house. A man of God prophesied that Eli's family would lose the priesthood, and all his descendants would die young ([1 Samuel 2:31-33](/1_samuel/2-31 "1 Samuel 2:31-33 - Prophecy of Eli's House's Demise")). This prophecy began to be fulfilled swiftly when Hophni and Phinehas were both killed on the same day in battle against the Philistines, and the Ark of God was captured ([1 Samuel 4:11](/1_samuel/4-11 "1 Samuel 4:11 - The Death of Eli's Sons and Capture of the Ark")). Upon hearing of the Ark's capture and his sons' deaths, Eli himself died, breaking his neck ([1 Samuel 4:18](/1_samuel/4-18 "1 Samuel 4:18 - The Death of Eli")). This tragic outcome underscores God's intolerance for persistent, defiant sin, especially from those in leadership who profane His name and sacred institutions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound failure of Eli's sons, who corrupted the priesthood and defiled the Tabernacle, powerfully highlights the Old Testament's inherent inability to provide a perfect and lasting solution for humanity's sin through human intermediaries. This narrative points forward to the ultimate need for a High Priest who is not subject to sin, weakness, or death. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this need, serving as our perfect and eternal High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our Great High Priest")). Unlike Hophni and Phinehas, who defiled the Tabernacle, Jesus Himself is the true and ultimate Temple, whose body was broken and raised, providing access to God not through a physical structure but through His own person ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the New Temple")). He offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, a single, perfect sacrifice that truly takes away sin, in stark contrast to the repeated, insufficient sacrifices overseen by corrupt priests ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through Christ, we are not only cleansed from sin but also made part of a "royal priesthood," called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service, living lives of holiness that truly honor God ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). The failure of Eli's house thus magnifies the glorious perfection and complete sufficiency of Christ's priesthood, establishing a new covenant grounded in His unblemished holiness and eternal intercession.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 38:8

And he made the laver [of] brass, and the foot of it [of] brass, of the lookingglasses of [the women] assembling, which assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

1 Samuel 2:13

And the priests' custom with the people [was, that], when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

1 Samuel 2:17

Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

Hosea 4:9

And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

Hosea 4:11

Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

1 Samuel 8:1

¶ And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

Ezekiel 22:26

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.