1 Samuel 2:34
New International Version
“’And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day.

New Living Translation
And to prove that what I have said will come true, I will cause your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to die on the same day!

English Standard Version
And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day.

Berean Standard Bible
And this sign shall come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas: They will both die on the same day.

King James Bible
And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

New King James Version
Now this shall be a sign to you that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them.

New American Standard Bible
And this will be the sign to you which will come in regard to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them will die.

NASB 1995
‘This will be the sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them will die.

NASB 1977
‘And this will be the sign to you which shall come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them shall die.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now this will be the sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them will be put to death.

Amplified Bible
This will be the sign to you which shall come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them shall die.

Christian Standard Bible
This will be the sign that will come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas: both of them will die on the same day.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This will be the sign that will come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas: both of them will die on the same day.

American Standard Version
And this shall be the sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them.

Contemporary English Version
To prove to you that I will do these things, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will die on the same day.

English Revised Version
And this shall be the sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
What is going to happen to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you: Both of them will die on the same day.

Good News Translation
When your two sons Hophni and Phinehas both die on the same day, this will show you that everything I have said will come true.

International Standard Version
Here's a sign for you—your two sons Hophni and Phineas will both die on the same day!

Majority Standard Bible
And this sign shall come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas: They will both die on the same day.

NET Bible
This will be a confirming sign for you that will be fulfilled through your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: in a single day they both will die!

New Heart English Bible
"'This shall be the sign to you, that shall come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall both die.

Webster's Bible Translation
And this shall be a sign to thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them.

World English Bible
This will be the sign to you that will come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they will both die.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and this [is] the sign to you that comes to your two sons, to Hophni and Phinehas—in one day both of them die;

Young's Literal Translation
and this is to thee the sign that cometh unto thy two sons, unto Hophni and Phinehas -- in one day they die both of them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And this the sign to thee which shall come to thy two sons to Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they two shall die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And this shall be a sign to thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, Ophni and Phinees: In one day they shall both of them die.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But this will be a sign to you, which will happen to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on one day they both will die.

New American Bible
This is a sign for you—what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Both of them will die on the same day.

New Revised Standard Version
The fate of your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you—both of them shall die on the same day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And this shall be a sign to you that shall come upon your two sons, upon Hophni and upon Phinehas; both of them shall die on the same day.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this is the sign for you that is coming upon your two sons, upon Khaphni and upon Phinkhas: In one day they shall both die
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And this shall be the sign unto thee, that which shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And this which shall come upon thy two sons Ophni and Phinees shall be a sign to thee; in one day they shall both die.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophecy Against the House of Eli
33And every one of you that I do not cut off from My altar, your eyes will fail and your heart will grieve. All your descendants will die by the sword of men. 34And this sign shall come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas: They will both die on the same day. 35Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 4:11
The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

1 Samuel 3:11-14
Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle. / On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have spoken about his house, from beginning to end. / I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them. ...

1 Kings 2:27
So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.

1 Kings 2:35
And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.

1 Kings 14:12-13
As for you, get up and go home. When your feet enter the city, the child will die. / All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. For this is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will receive a proper burial, because only in him has the LORD, the God of Israel, found any good in the house of Jeroboam.

1 Kings 14:17
Then Jeroboam’s wife got up and departed for Tirzah, and as soon as she stepped over the threshold of the house, the boy died.

1 Kings 14:10-11
Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone! / Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.’ For the LORD has spoken.

1 Kings 2:31-33
And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”

1 Kings 2:36-46
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. ...

2 Kings 23:27
For the LORD had said, “I will remove Judah from My sight, just as I removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the temple of which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.’”

Jeremiah 7:12-14
But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers.

Ezekiel 24:25-27
And you, son of man, know that on the day I take away their stronghold, their pride and joy—the desire of their eyes which uplifted their souls—and their sons and daughters as well, / on that day a fugitive will come and tell you the news. / On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 12:12-16
And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land. / But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die. / And I will scatter to every wind all the attendants around him and all his troops, and I will draw a sword to chase after them. ...

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Matthew 23:38
Look, your house is left to you desolate.


Treasury of Scripture

And this shall be a sign to you, that shall come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

a sign

1 Samuel 3:12
In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

1 Kings 13:3
And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.

1 Kings 14:12
Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.

in one day

1 Samuel 4:11,17
And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain…

Jump to Previous
Befall Death Die Happens Hophni Overtake Phinehas Phin'ehas Sign
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Befall Death Die Happens Hophni Overtake Phinehas Phin'ehas Sign
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














And this sign shall come to you
This phrase introduces a prophetic sign given to Eli, the high priest. In biblical context, signs often serve as divine confirmations of God's word or judgment. This particular sign is a direct message from God through the prophet to Eli, indicating the certainty of the prophecy. Signs in the Old Testament often precede significant events, such as the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12) or the sign of the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14.

concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas:
Hophni and Phinehas were the sons of Eli, serving as priests at the tabernacle in Shiloh. They are described earlier in 1 Samuel 2 as corrupt and wicked, abusing their priestly office by taking the best portions of sacrifices and engaging in immoral behavior (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22). Their actions were a direct violation of the Levitical laws and an affront to the holiness required of those serving in the priesthood. This phrase highlights the personal nature of the judgment against Eli's household, emphasizing the consequences of their sins.

They will both die on the same day.
This prophecy foretells the simultaneous death of Hophni and Phinehas, serving as a dramatic and unmistakable sign of God's judgment. The fulfillment of this prophecy occurs in 1 Samuel 4:11 during a battle with the Philistines, where both sons are killed, and the Ark of the Covenant is captured. This event marks a significant turning point in Israel's history, symbolizing the departure of God's glory from Israel due to the corruption of its leaders. The simultaneous death of both sons underscores the severity of God's judgment and serves as a warning to future generations about the consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness. This event also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and redemption found in Jesus Christ, who, unlike Hophni and Phinehas, perfectly fulfilled His priestly role and offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Eli
The high priest of Israel during the time of Samuel's birth. He was responsible for the spiritual leadership of Israel but failed to restrain his sons from their wickedness.

2. Hophni and Phinehas
The two sons of Eli, who served as priests but were corrupt and disobedient to God's laws. Their actions led to God's judgment upon Eli's household.

3. The Sign
A prophetic sign given by God through a man of God to Eli, indicating the impending judgment on his family due to the sins of his sons.

4. Death of Hophni and Phinehas
The fulfillment of the prophecy where both sons die on the same day, serving as a divine confirmation of God's judgment.

5. Shiloh
The religious center of Israel at the time, where the tabernacle was located and where Eli and his sons served.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
The account of Hophni and Phinehas serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's commands, especially by those in spiritual leadership, leads to severe consequences.

Parental Responsibility
Eli's failure to discipline his sons highlights the importance of parental responsibility in guiding children in righteousness and correcting them when they go astray.

God's Faithfulness in Judgment
God's fulfillment of the prophecy against Eli's house demonstrates His faithfulness to His word, both in promises and in judgment.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
The corruption of Hophni and Phinehas shows the impact of ungodly leadership on a community, emphasizing the need for leaders to live according to God's standards.

The Role of Signs in Scripture
The sign given to Eli serves as a reminder that God often uses signs to confirm His word and to call His people to repentance.(34) In one day they shall die both of them.--See for a literal fulfilment the recital in 1Samuel 4:11. This foreshadowing of terrible calamity which was to befal Israel was to be a sign to Eli that all the awful predictions concerning the fate of his doomed house would be carried out to the bitter end.

Verse 34. - With this the sign here given exactly agrees. Hophni and Phinehas died fighting valiantly in battle, and then came the sacking of Shiloh, and the slaughter of the ministering priests (Psalm 78:64). Upon this followed a long delay. For first Eli's grandson, Ahitub, the son of Phinehas, was high priest, and then his two sons, Ahiah and Ahimelech, and then Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech. It was in Ahimelech's days that the slaughter took place at Nob, from which the house of Ithamar seems never to have fully recovered.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And this
וְזֶה־ (wə·zeh-)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

sign
הָא֗וֹת (hā·’ō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 226: A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence

shall come
יָבֹא֙ (yā·ḇō)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to you
לְּךָ֣ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

concerning
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

your two
שְׁנֵ֣י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

sons
בָנֶ֔יךָ (ḇā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Hophni
חָפְנִ֖י (ḥā·p̄ə·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2652: Hophni -- a son of Eli

and Phinehas:
וּפִֽינְחָ֑ס (ū·p̄î·nə·ḥās)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6372: Phinehas -- three Israelites

They will both
שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

die
יָמ֥וּתוּ (yā·mū·ṯū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

on the same
אֶחָ֖ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

day.
בְּי֥וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 1 Samuel 2:34 This shall be the sign to you (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 2:33
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