1 Samuel 3:2

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass at that time {H3117}, when Eli {H5941} was laid down {H7901} in his place {H4725}, and his eyes {H5869} began {H2490} to wax dim {H3544}, that he could {H3201} not see {H7200};

Complete Jewish Bible

Once, during that period, 'Eli had gone to bed - his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that it was hard for him to see.

Berean Standard Bible

And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to wax dim, so that he could not see),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse paints a somber picture of Eli, the aged high priest and judge of Israel, whose physical sight is failing. This personal infirmity serves as a profound metaphor for the pervasive spiritual dimness and lack of clear divine communication that characterized Israel during this period, setting the immediate stage for God's sovereign intervention and the emergence of a new prophetic voice in Samuel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Samuel 3:2 is strategically placed at a pivotal juncture in the narrative, immediately following a scathing divine indictment against Eli and his corrupt priestly sons, Hophni and Phinehas, in [1 Samuel 2](/1_samuel/2 "1 Samuel 2 - Eli's Sons and God's Judgment"). The preceding chapter details their contempt for the Lord's sacrifices and Eli's failure to restrain them, leading to a prophecy of judgment against his house. This verse, therefore, marks the transition from the narrative of priestly corruption and divine judgment to the miraculous calling of Samuel, who will become God's new, faithful prophet. Eli's physical decline underscores the spiritual decay that necessitates God's raising up of a new leader.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges, which precedes the monarchy, was marked by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance, often summarized by the phrase, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes")). Eli served as both high priest and judge, residing at Shiloh, the central sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was housed. The spiritual state of Israel was dire, characterized by a scarcity of prophetic visions and divine words, as explicitly stated in [1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - The Word of the Lord Was Rare"). Eli's failing eyesight, a common affliction of old age, is thus imbued with deeper symbolic meaning within this context of spiritual scarcity and priestly failure.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Samuel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Physical and Spiritual Decline**, where Eli's failing eyesight is not merely a sign of old age but a potent symbol of the fading spiritual vision and discernment within the priestly leadership of Israel. Just as Eli could not see physically, the nation struggled with spiritual clarity and adherence to God's ways, a condition described in [Proverbs 29:18](/proverbs/29-18 "Proverbs 29:18 - Where There Is No Vision"). Secondly, it subtly foreshadows a **Transition of Authority** and divine favor. Eli's diminished capacity prepares the way for the rise of a new prophet, Samuel, through whom God would speak directly and clearly, thus beginning a new era of prophetic ministry in Israel. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Timing**, illustrating how God often chooses moments of human weakness or spiritual void to initiate His powerful interventions and raise up new vessels for His purposes, as seen in the broader narrative of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dim (Hebrew, כָּהָה, _kahah_):** This verb means to be "dull," "faint," "obscure," or "grow dim." It describes a progressive loss of sight, not a sudden onset of blindness. The use of this word emphasizes a gradual deterioration, which symbolically parallels the slow but steady spiritual decline of Eli's priestly line and, by extension, the spiritual state of Israel. It suggests a fading light, preparing the reader for the emergence of a new, clear light of revelation.
* **See (Hebrew, רָאָה, _ra'ah_):** While literally meaning "to see" with the eyes, this word in biblical Hebrew often carries the broader connotation of "to perceive," "to understand," or "to discern," especially in a spiritual sense. The statement "he could not see" therefore functions on both a literal and metaphorical level, indicating not only Eli's physical blindness but also the spiritual blindness and lack of discernment that afflicted him and the priestly institution he represented.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass at that time,"**: This introductory phrase serves as a temporal marker, linking the events of this verse directly to the preceding narrative of spiritual decay and priestly corruption detailed in [1 Samuel 2](/1_samuel/2 "1 Samuel 2 - Eli's Sons and God's Judgment"). It signals that the conditions described are a direct consequence of, or at least concurrent with, the spiritual state of the nation and its leadership.
* **"when Eli [was] laid down in his place,"**: This describes a routine, perhaps nightly, action of Eli retiring to his bed. However, it also subtly highlights his position of authority and responsibility as high priest and judge. His being "in his place" emphasizes that he is still nominally in charge, even as his physical and spiritual capacities are waning.
* **"and his eyes began to wax dim,"**: This clause describes Eli's progressive loss of physical sight. The KJV's "wax dim" accurately conveys the gradual nature of this process. This physical infirmity is the central symbolic element of the verse, powerfully representing the spiritual "dimness" or lack of clear spiritual vision and divine revelation prevalent in Israel, particularly within the priestly leadership.
* **"[that] he could not see;"**: This final clause states the consequence of the dimming, confirming Eli's complete inability to see. It reinforces the literal physical condition but, more importantly, solidifies the metaphor of spiritual blindness. This inability to see sets the stage for the dramatic contrast with Samuel, who, though young, will soon "see" and hear the Lord clearly.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Symbolism**, where Eli's failing physical eyesight profoundly symbolizes the spiritual blindness and lack of clear divine communication prevalent in Israel during his latter years. This physical infirmity mirrors the spiritual condition of the nation's leadership, particularly the corrupt priesthood. It serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing** device, hinting at the imminent end of Eli's ineffective priestly line and the necessary rise of a new, spiritually sighted leader in Samuel. The narrative also employs **Juxtaposition** and **Contrast**; the dimming light of Eli's eyes stands in stark contrast to the sudden, clear, and direct voice of God that Samuel is about to hear, highlighting the divine initiative to restore clear revelation in a time of spiritual obscurity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The physical decline of Eli, particularly his failing eyesight, serves as a poignant theological statement about the state of spiritual leadership and divine communication in Israel. In a period where "the word of the Lord was rare" ([1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - The Word of the Lord Was Rare")), Eli's literal inability to see becomes a powerful metaphor for the broader spiritual blindness and lack of discernment within the nation's spiritual guides. This highlights a crucial theological principle: when those entrusted with spiritual oversight lose their vision, the people suffer. God, however, is sovereign and will not leave His people without guidance. He often intervenes in moments of human weakness and institutional failure, raising up new vessels to declare His truth and restore spiritual clarity. This verse sets the stage for God to bypass the failing human system and speak directly to a new generation through Samuel, demonstrating His faithfulness even when His established channels are compromised.

* [Deuteronomy 28:28](/deuteronomy/28-28 "Deuteronomy 28:28 - Blindness as a Consequence of Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 6:10](/isaiah/6-10 "Isaiah 6:10 - Spiritual Blindness of the People")
* [Matthew 13:13](/matthew/13-13 "Matthew 13:13 - Seeing But Not Perceiving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Eli's physical and symbolic dimness serves as a profound reminder that spiritual vitality is not guaranteed by position or tradition. Even established leaders and institutions can experience a decline in spiritual clarity, discernment, and effectiveness, leading to a "dimming" of God's revealed truth within their sphere of influence. This verse challenges believers today to cultivate a constant posture of spiritual alertness and discernment, recognizing that God's voice may not always come through the expected or traditional channels, especially when those channels appear compromised or spiritually "dim." It encourages us to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, understanding that God is sovereign and capable of raising up new voices and new ways of speaking to His people when existing avenues are failing. Our responsibility is to be attentive, humble, and ready to hear, even when the spiritual landscape around us seems dark or uncertain, trusting that God will always provide a way for His truth to be known.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might physical limitations or institutional decline in leadership reflect deeper spiritual realities within a community or even in our own lives?**
* **In what ways might God be speaking to us when traditional or expected sources of spiritual guidance seem "dim" or unclear?**
* **What steps can we take to cultivate spiritual discernment and avoid spiritual blindness in our own walk with God, ensuring we are always attentive to His voice?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Eli's blindness in 1 Samuel 3:2?**

Answer: Eli's blindness in [1 Samuel 3:2](/1_samuel/3-2 "1 Samuel 3:2 - Eli's Failing Eyesight") is significant on two levels: literal and symbolic. Literally, it describes his advanced age and physical infirmity, a common affliction. Symbolically and more profoundly, it represents the spiritual condition of Israel, particularly the priestly leadership. Just as Eli's physical eyes could not see, the nation and its spiritual guides lacked clear spiritual vision and discernment. This spiritual blindness was exacerbated by the corruption of Eli's sons and the general scarcity of divine revelation during that time, as noted in [1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - The Word of the Lord Was Rare"). It highlights a period of spiritual darkness that necessitated God's direct intervention through Samuel.

**How does this verse set the stage for Samuel's calling?**

Answer: This verse is crucial for setting the stage for Samuel's calling by highlighting the spiritual void and the desperate need for a new, clear prophetic voice. Eli's physical inability to see, coupled with the spiritual dimness it represents, underscores the inadequacy of the current priestly system to mediate God's word effectively. The narrative explicitly states that "the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision" ([1 Samuel 3:1](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1 - The Word of the Lord Was Rare")). Into this spiritual darkness, God chooses to speak to the young Samuel, who is not yet a recognized prophet. Eli's diminished capacity and the spiritual barrenness of the time serve to magnify the divine initiative and the fresh, clear revelation that God is about to bring through Samuel, marking a significant transition in Israel's spiritual history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dimming eyes of Eli in [1 Samuel 3:2](/1_samuel/3-2 "1 Samuel 3:2 - Eli's Failing Eyesight") serve as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of humanity's pervasive spiritual blindness and desperate need for true light. Eli's physical inability to see mirrored the spiritual inability of Israel to discern God's will and hear His voice clearly, a condition that persisted throughout much of Israel's history and is often lamented by the prophets (e.g., [Isaiah 42:18-20](/isaiah/42-18 "Isaiah 42:18-20 - The Blind Servant")). This spiritual darkness ultimately points to the profound need for a divine intervention that would not merely raise up another prophet, but bring the ultimate source of spiritual sight. Jesus Christ is revealed in the New Testament as the "Light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who came to open the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus Heals the Blind Man and Explains Spiritual Blindness")). Unlike Eli, whose eyes waxed dim, Christ's revelation is perfectly clear and illuminating, bringing light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death ([Luke 1:79](/luke/1-79 "Luke 1:79 - The Dawn from On High")). He is the ultimate Word of God, through whom God has spoken definitively to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")), overcoming the rarity of divine words and the dimness of human perception that characterized Eli's era.

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

1 Samuel 4:15

Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were 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.

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.

Genesis 48:10

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

Genesis 48:19

And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Ecclesiastes 12:3

In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

1 Samuel 2:22

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.