1 Samuel 3:14

14 This is my sentence on the family of Eli: The evil of Eli's family can never be wiped out by sacrifice or offering."

1 Samuel 3:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 3:14

And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli
Either had done this before, which was signified to him by the man of God, or did swear now for the confirmation of his threatenings, and to assure the certain performance of them:

that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice
nor offering for ever:
not even typically, which was all that legal sacrifice could do; and not so that the priesthood should ever return to the family again, as the office of high priesthood never did; or, as Abarbinel interprets it, because of sacrifice and offering, that the iniquity Eli's sons were guilty of in taking the flesh of the sacrifices and offerings, which did not belong to them, and before the Lord had his part, should never be expiated.

(There are some sins that are not covered in the atonement of Jesus Christ. This is one of them and the sin against the Holy Ghost is another. ( Matthew 12:31 ) . Editor.)

1 Samuel 3:14 In-Context

12 The time has come for me to bring down on Eli's family everything I warned him of, every last word of it.

13 I'm letting him know that the time's up. I'm bringing judgment on his family for good. He knew what was going on, that his sons were desecrating God's name and God's place, and he did nothing to stop them.

14 This is my sentence on the family of Eli: The evil of Eli's family can never be wiped out by sacrifice or offering."

15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then rose early and went about his duties, opening the doors of the sanctuary, but he dreaded having to tell the vision to Eli.

16 But then Eli summoned Samuel: "Samuel, my son!" Samuel came running: "Yes? What can I do for you?"