Movatterモバイル変換

The Death of Eli
…14Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli.15Now Eliwas ninety-eightyears old,and his gazewas fixedbecause he could notsee.16“I have just come from the battle,” the man said to Eli. “I fled from there today.” “What happened, my son?” Eli asked.…

Treasury of Scripture

Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.

ninety

1 Samuel 3:2
And it came to pass at that time, when Eliwas laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim,that he could not see;

Psalm 90:10
The days of our yearsare threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strengththey be fourscore years, yetis their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

and his eyes (See on

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.

AbleDimEightEliEyesNinetyNinety-EightStoodAbleDimEightEliEyesNinetyNinety-EightStood1.The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Ebenezer
3.They fetch the ark unto the terror of the Philistines
10.They are smitten again, the ark taken, and Hophni and Phinehas are slain
12.Eli at the news, falling backward, breaks his neck
19.Phinehas's wife, discouraged in her travail with Ichabod, dies

Now Eli was ninety-eight years old
Eli's advanced age is significant in the biblical narrative, highlighting his long tenure as a judge and priest in Israel. His age suggests a lifetime of service, yet it also underscores the decline in his physical and spiritual faculties. In the context of ancient Israel, reaching such an age was notable, as life expectancy was generally lower. Eli's age also serves as a backdrop to the transition of leadership to Samuel, who represents a new era for Israel. The number ninety-eight, while not symbolically significant in itself, emphasizes the completion of Eli's life and the impending judgment on his house as prophesied in1 Samuel 2:31-36.

and his gaze was fixed because he could not see
Eli's blindness is both literal and metaphorical. Physically, his inability to see reflects the natural decline associated with old age. However, it also symbolizes his spiritual blindness and the failure to perceive the moral and spiritual decay within his own family and the nation. This blindness is a recurring theme in Scripture, often representing a lack of spiritual insight or understanding (e.g.,Isaiah 6:10,Matthew 15:14). Eli's condition contrasts with the spiritual vision of Samuel, who is called to be a prophet and seer for Israel. The fixed gaze may also imply a sense of resignation or helplessness, as Eli is unable to change the course of events that are unfolding, particularly the impending disaster of the Ark's capture and the death of his sons, as foretold in1 Samuel 3:11-14.

1.Eli
The high priest of Israel at the time, Eli was a judge and spiritual leader. His advanced age and blindness symbolize the spiritual decline of Israel and his own inability to lead effectively.

2.Israel
The nation of Israel is in a period of spiritual and moral decline, as evidenced by their defeat in battle and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.

3.The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with His people. Its capture by the Philistines is a significant event in this chapter.

4.Philistines
A neighboring people and frequent adversaries of Israel, they are instrumental in the events of this chapter as they capture the Ark.

5.Shiloh
The religious center of Israel at the time, where the Ark was kept and where Eli served as priest.Spiritual Leadership and Responsibility
Eli's physical blindness is a metaphor for his spiritual oversight. Leaders must remain vigilant and spiritually aware to guide others effectively.

The Consequences of Neglect
Eli's failure to discipline his sons and maintain spiritual integrity led to national consequences. Personal neglect can have broader implications.

The Importance of Spiritual Vision
Just as physical sight is crucial, spiritual vision is essential for discerning God's will and direction. We must seek God's guidance to avoid spiritual blindness.

Aging and Spiritual Vitality
While physical abilities may decline with age, spiritual vitality can remain strong. Eli's account encourages us to maintain spiritual fervor throughout life.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
Despite human failure, God's purposes prevail. The capture of the Ark was a judgment on Israel, yet it ultimately served God's greater plan.1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 4:15?

2.How does Eli's age and blindness affect his leadership in 1 Samuel 4:15?

3.What lessons can we learn from Eli's physical limitations in serving God?

4.How does Eli's condition relate to spiritual blindness in other biblical passages?

5.How can we ensure spiritual vigilance despite physical or emotional limitations?

6.What steps can we take to remain faithful leaders in challenging circumstances?

7.Why was Eli's age and blindness significant in 1 Samuel 4:15?

8.How does Eli's physical state reflect his spiritual leadership in 1 Samuel 4:15?

9.What does Eli's blindness symbolize in the context of Israel's spiritual condition?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 4?

11.Is open criticism better than hidden affection?

12.What are the key events in 1 Samuel?

13.In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?

14.What is the biblical meaning of 'Ichabod'?Now Eli was ninety-eight years old

• The text gives a precise age, underscoring that Scripture is reporting history, not legend (cf.Genesis 5:27;1 Chronicles 29:28).

• Ninety-eight places Eli well beyond the average lifespan spoken of inPsalm 90:10, highlighting God’s patience in allowing him years to repent and correct his sons’ sin (1 Samuel 2:22–25).

• Age alone does not guarantee wisdom; Moses remained vigorous at 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7), yet Eli’s spiritual vigilance had waned.

• The verse prepares us to understand why tragedy that follows will be physically and emotionally overwhelming for him (1 Samuel 4:17-18).

---

and his gaze was fixed

• “Fixed” paints a picture of eyes staring without tracking—evidence of serious impairment (similar to Isaac inGenesis 27:1).

• Loss of sight foreshadows loss of oversight; Eli’s inability to move his gaze mirrors his failure to restrain his sons (1 Samuel 3:13).

• Scripture often ties sight to perception: “The eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22-23). A dimmed lamp points to dulled discernment.

• Physical frailty does not diminish responsibility.Proverbs 20:29 contrasts youthful strength with the “splendor of old men”—gray hair gained by righteous living. Eli’s fixed gaze hints that the splendor of righteous oversight had faded.

---

because he could not see

• The author clarifies the cause: blindness, not mere distraction. In1 Samuel 3:2 Eli’s eyes were already “growing dim.” This final note signals complete blindness.

• Blindness is never random in the narrative; it often accompanies spiritual darkness (cf.Jeremiah 5:21;Matthew 15:14). Eli, once priest and judge, can no longer perceive either physically or spiritually.

• Yet even in blindness God can work: Isaac, Jacob, and Samson all encountered God’s purposes amid failing sight (Genesis 48:10;Judges 16:21-22). The verse reminds us that God’s plans proceed despite human weakness.

• Application: aging saints may lose physical faculties, but spiritual alertness can remain sharp if cultivated (Psalm 92:12-15;2 Corinthians 4:16).

---

summary

1 Sam 4:15 records literal, historical details that also carry spiritual weight. At ninety-eight, Eli’s fixed, sightless gaze reveals both his physical decline and the culmination of neglected spiritual oversight. The verse prepares readers for the impending judgment while reminding us that physical age and limitation never excuse spiritual complacency.

(15)Ninety and eight years old.--The LXX. here reads "ninety" years, the Syriac Version "seventy eight." In the sacred text, where numbers are concerned we usually find these varieties of translation and interpretation. The present system of numerals was invented by the Arabs. The Hebrews use the letters of the alphabet to express numbers. Such a system was naturally fruitful in errors of transcription, and thus numbers, and dates especially, in the earlier books of the Old Testament are frequently confused and uncertain. Many of the difficulties which have given so much trouble to commentators have arisen out of the confusion of copyists substituting, through inadvertence, in Hebrew one letter for another. Instead of "his eyes were dim," the more accurate rendering would behis eyes were set--were stiff, so that he could no longer see. This, as Keil observes, is a description of the so-called black cataract (amaurosis), which not unfrequently occurs at a very great age from paralysis of the optic nerves.

Verse 15. -Eli was ninety and eight years old. Until the invention by the Arabs of the present system of numerals, all ancient nations had a most cumbrous system of expressing numbers. The Hebrew method was to attach a value to each of the letters of the alphabet, and then add them together, and thus the eighth and nineteenth letters would between them make up ninety-eight. Such a system led to constant mistakes in copying, and thus the numerals in the earlier parts of the Old Testament are beset with uncertainty. Here the Septuagint hasninety, and the Syriacseventy-eight. But as Eli was described already as "very old" in1 Samuel 2:22, the Hebrew text is the most probable. Instead ofdim the Hebrew hasset, i.e. Eli was now absolutely blind, as the word expresses the motionless state of the eye when obscured by cataract. In1 Samuel 3:2 a different word is used, rightly there translated "dim," as the disease is one which comes on gradually. In1 Kings 14:4 we read that Ahijah was blind from the same cause, and the word is there correctly rendered "set."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Now Eli
וְעֵלִ֕י(wə·‘ê·lî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5941:Eli -- a priest at Shiloh

was ninety-eight
תִּשְׁעִ֥ים(tiš·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 8673:Ninety

years old,
בֶּן־(ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A son

and his gaze
וְעֵינָ֣יו(wə·‘ê·nāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountain

was fixed
קָ֔מָה(qā·māh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, stand

because he could not
וְלֹ֥א(wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

see.
לִרְאֽוֹת׃(lir·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200:To see


1 Samuel 4:15 NIV
1 Samuel 4:15 NLT
1 Samuel 4:15 ESV
1 Samuel 4:15 NASB
1 Samuel 4:15 KJV

1 Samuel 4:15 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 4:15 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 4:15 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 4:15 French Bible
1 Samuel 4:15 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)