1 Samuel 2:30
New International Version
“Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

New Living Translation
“Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.

English Standard Version
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.

King James Bible
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

New King James Version
Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father was to walk before Me forever’; but now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be insignificant.

NASB 1995
“Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’ but now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me— for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.

NASB 1977
“Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now Yahweh declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be cursed.

Amplified Bible
Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and that of [Aaron] your father would walk [in priestly service] before Me forever.’ But now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be insignificant and contemptible.

Christian Standard Bible
“Therefore, this is the declaration of the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘I did say that your family and your forefather’s family would walk before me forever. But now,’ this is the LORD’s declaration, ‘no longer! For those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disgraced.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Therefore, this is the declaration of the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Although I said your family and your ancestral house would walk before Me forever, the LORD now says, “No longer!” I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disgraced.

American Standard Version
Therefore Jehovah, the God of Israel, saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now Jehovah saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Contemporary English Version
I am the LORD, the God of Israel. I promised to always let your family serve me as priests, but now I tell you that I cannot do this any longer! I honor anyone who honors me, but I put a curse on anyone who hates me.

English Revised Version
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Therefore, the LORD God of Israel declares: I certainly thought that your family and your father's family would always live in my presence. "But now the LORD declares: I promise that I will honor those who honor me, and those who despise me will be considered insignificant.

Good News Translation
I, the LORD God of Israel, promised in the past that your family and your clan would serve me as priests for all time. But now I say that I won't have it any longer! Instead, I will honor those who honor me, and I will treat with contempt those who despise me.

International Standard Version
"Therefore, the LORD God of Israel has declared, 'I did, in fact, say that your family and your ancestor's family would walk before me forever,' but now the LORD declares, 'Far be it from me! The one who honors me I'll honor, and the one who despises me is to be treated with contempt.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.

NET Bible
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'I really did say that your house and your ancestor's house would serve me forever.' But now the LORD says, 'May it never be! For I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be cursed!

New Heart English Bible
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, says, "I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me forever.' But now the LORD says, 'Be it far from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

World English Bible
“Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father should walk before me forever.’ But now Yahweh says, ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me will be cursed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore—a declaration of YHWH, God of Israel—I certainly said, Your house and the house of your father walk up and down before Me for all time; and now—a declaration of YHWH—Far be it from Me! For he who is honoring Me, I honor, and those despising Me, are lightly esteemed.

Young's Literal Translation
'Therefore -- the affirmation of Jehovah, God of Israel -- I certainly said, Thy house and the house of thy father, do walk up and down before Me to the age; and now -- the affirmation of Jehovah -- Far be it from Me! for he who is honouring Me, I honour, and those despising Me, are lightly esteemed.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this Jehovah the God of Israel said, Saying, I said, Thy house and the house of thy father shall go before me even forever: and now Jehovah said, Far be it for me; for them honoring me I will honor, and they despising me shall be contemned.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father should minister in my sight, for ever. But now saith the Lord: Far be this from me: but whosoever shall glorify me, him will I glorify: but they that despise me, shall be despised.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, the Lord God of Israel says: I have spoken clearly, so that your house, and the house of your father, may minister in my sight, even forever. But now the Lord says: May this be far from me. Instead, whoever will have glorified me, I will glorify him. But whoever despises me, they will be despised.

New American Bible
This, therefore, is the oracle of the LORD, the God of Israel: I said in the past that your family and your father’s house should minister in my presence forever. But now—oracle of the LORD: Far be it from me! I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me shall be cursed.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore the LORD the God of Israel declares: ‘I promised that your family and the family of your ancestor should go in and out before me forever’; but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be treated with contempt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel, I said indeed that your house and the house of your father should minister before me for ever; but now the LORD says, Far be this from me; for those that honor me I will honor, and those that despise me shall be despised.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, thus says LORD JEHOVAH God of Israel, “Speaking, I have said, ‘Your house and the house of your father shall serve before me unto eternity’, and now, says LORD JEHOVAH, far be it from me, because he who honors me I shall honor, and they who despise me shall be held in contempt!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, saith: I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before Me for ever; but now the LORD saith: Be it far from Me: for them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel, I said, Thy house and the house of thy father shall pass before me for ever: but now the Lord says, That be far from me; for I will only honour them that honour me, and he that sets me at nought shall be despised.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophecy Against the House of Eli
29Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’ 30Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. 31Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no older man will be left in your house.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Malachi 1:6
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

Malachi 2:2
If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to honor My name,” says the LORD of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart.

Matthew 10:32-33
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. / But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

John 5:23
so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Romans 2:6-10
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. ...

Romans 9:21
Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Ephesians 6:2-3
“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

Why the LORD God of Israel said, I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD said, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

I said

Exodus 28:43
And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

Exodus 29:9
And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Numbers 25:11-13
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy…

Be it far

Numbers 35:34
Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Jeremiah 18:9,10
And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; …

them

Judges 9:10
And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

Psalm 50:23
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Proverbs 3:9,10
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: …

I will honour

Psalm 18:20
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Psalm 91:14
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

John 5:44
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

that despise

Numbers 11:20
But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

2 Samuel 12:9,10
Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon…

Malachi 2:8,9
But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts…

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Despise Esteemed Honor House Indeed Israel Lightly Me-For Promised Walk Wherefore
1 Samuel 2
1. Hannah's song in thankfulness
12. The sin of Eli's sons
18. Samuel's ministry
20. by Eli's blessing Hannah is more fruitful
22. Eli reproves his sons
27. A prophecy against Eli's house














Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares
This phrase establishes the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "Yahweh," the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. "The God of Israel" underscores His unique relationship with His chosen people, Israel. This declaration is not merely a statement but a divine pronouncement, carrying the weight of God's ultimate authority and truth.

I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever
The phrase "I did indeed say" reflects God's previous promise to Eli's house, rooted in the covenantal language. "Your house and the house of your father" refers to the priestly lineage of Eli, tracing back to Aaron. "Walk before Me" is a Hebraic expression denoting a life lived in faithful service and obedience to God. The word "forever" (Hebrew: "olam") often signifies an indefinite, enduring period, contingent on covenant faithfulness.

But now the LORD declares
This marks a pivotal shift in the narrative. The repetition of "the LORD declares" emphasizes the seriousness and finality of God's pronouncement. It indicates a change in divine intention due to human actions, highlighting the conditional nature of God's promises based on obedience and faithfulness.

Far be it from Me!
This expression is a strong Hebraic idiom, "chalilah li," indicating a rejection or renunciation of a previous intention. It underscores God's holiness and justice, affirming that He cannot be associated with unfaithfulness or sin.

For those who honor Me I will honor
The word "honor" (Hebrew: "kabad") means to give weight or significance. This principle reflects a reciprocal relationship between God and His people. Those who give God the reverence and obedience He deserves will, in turn, receive His favor and blessing. It is a timeless truth that underscores the importance of living a life that glorifies God.

but those who despise Me will be disdained
"Despise" (Hebrew: "bazah") means to hold in contempt or to treat as worthless. This phrase serves as a solemn warning. To despise God is to reject His authority and commandments, leading to divine disfavor. "Disdained" (Hebrew: "qalal") means to be lightly esteemed or cursed. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where one's attitude towards God determines their standing before Him.

(30) . . . but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me.--But the fulfilment of the glorious and gracious promise which involved the walking of the favoured house for ever in the light of the Lord in the blessed courts of the sanctuary with no worldly cares--were they not amply provided for without sowing and reaping?--were they not invested with high honours and universal consideration?--was necessarily dependent upon those that walked, the favoured house carrying out their share of the covenant. To be honoured of God, they for their part must be His faithful servants. Now the life and conduct of the priestly house had wrought the gravest dishonour and brought the deepest shame on the worship and sanctuary of the "King in Jeshurun."

Verse 30. - I said indeed. By thus acting Eli became an accomplice in the irreligion of his sons, and God therefore revokes his grant of a perpetual priesthood. The promise had been made to Aaron's family as a whole (Exodus 29:9), and had then been renewed to the house of Eleazar (Numbers 25:13). But the house of Ithamar was now in the ascendant, probably owing to Eli's own ability, who during the anarchical times of the Judges had won for himself, first, the civil power, and then, upon some fitting opportunity, the high priesthood also, though I suppose the heads of the houses of Eleazar and Ithamar were always persons of great importance, and high priests in a certain sense. Eli had now the priority, and had he and his family proved worthy, the possession of this high station might have been confirmed to them. Like Saul in the kingdom, they proved unworthy of it, and so they lost it forever. Their names, as we have seen above, do not even occur in the genealogies. I said .... but now Jehovah saith. Can then a promise of God be withdrawn? Yes, assuredly. Not from mankind as a whole, nor from the Church as a whole, but from each particular nation, or Church, or individual. To each separate person God's promises are conditional, and human action everywhere is a coworker with the Divine volition, though only within a limited sphere, and so as that the Divine purposes must finally be accomplished. Eli then and his sons may suffer forfeit of the promise by not fulfilling the obligations which, whether expressed or implied, are an essential condition of every promise made by God to man. But the high priesthood will continue, and will perform its allotted task of preparing for the priesthood of Christ. "Them that honour me I will honour," states one of these conditions essential on man's part to secure the fulfilment of God's promises.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore,
לָכֵ֗ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

the LORD,
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

declares:
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

‘I did indeed
אָמ֣וֹר (’ā·mō·wr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 559: To utter, say

say
אָמַ֔רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

that your house
בֵּֽיתְךָ֙ (bê·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

and the house
וּבֵ֣ית (ū·ḇêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of your father
אָבִ֔יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

would walk
יִתְהַלְּכ֥וּ (yiṯ·hal·lə·ḵū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

before Me
לְפָנַ֖י (lə·p̄ā·nay)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

forever.
עוֹלָ֑ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

But now
וְעַתָּ֤ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

declares:
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

Far be it
חָלִ֣ילָה (ḥā·lî·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

from Me!
לִּ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I will honor
מְכַבְּדַ֥י (mə·ḵab·bə·ḏay)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

those who honor Me,
אֲכַבֵּ֖ד (’ă·ḵab·bêḏ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

but those who despise Me
וּבֹזַ֥י (ū·ḇō·zay)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 959: To disesteem

will be disdained.
יֵקָֽלּוּ׃ (yê·qāl·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling


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OT History: 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore Yahweh the God of Israel says (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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