1 Samuel 3:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God swears that no sacrifice or offering will atone for the guilt of Eli's house.
What Does 1 Samuel 3:14 Mean?
God seals the judgment with an oath: the iniquity of Eli's house will not be purged by sacrifice or offering forever. Those who had treated the offerings with contempt would find no covering for their guilt in the very rites they had defiled.
The warning is grave: persistent, unrepented contempt for holy things hardens into a settled condition. Yet the broader witness of Scripture holds out the hope of cleansing through repentance and the mercy of God. This solemn word magnifies how costly sin is, and how precious the atonement is that God Himself would one day provide in full.
1 Samuel 3:14 in the Original Language
kaphar (כָּפַר), 'purged' -- to cover over or atone for, removing guilt.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 3:14
What does 1 Samuel 3:14 mean?
God swears that no sacrifice or offering will atone for the guilt of Eli's house.