1 Samuel 2:17
New International Version
This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.

New Living Translation
So the sin of these young men was very serious in the LORD’s sight, for they treated the LORD’s offerings with contempt.

English Standard Version
Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt.

Berean Standard Bible
Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.

King James Bible
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

New King James Version
Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
And so the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD disrespectfully.

NASB 1995
Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD.

NASB 1977
Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus the sin of the young men was very great before Yahweh, for the men spurned the offering of Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
So the sin of the [two] young men [Hophni and Phinehas] was very great before the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD disrespectfully.

Christian Standard Bible
So the servants’ sin was very severe in the presence of the LORD, because the men treated the LORD’s offering with contempt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the servants’ sin was very severe in the presence of the LORD, because they treated the LORD’s offering with contempt.

American Standard Version
And the sin of the young men was very great before Jehovah; for the men despised the offering of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Eli's sons did not show any respect for the sacrifices that the people offered. This was a terrible sin, and it made the LORD very angry.

English Revised Version
And the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The sin of Eli's sons was a serious matter to the LORD, because these men were treating the offerings made to the LORD with contempt.

Good News Translation
This sin of the sons of Eli was extremely serious in the LORD's sight, because they treated the offerings to the LORD with such disrespect.

International Standard Version
By doing this, the sin of the young men was very serious in the LORD's sight because the men despised the LORD's offering.

Majority Standard Bible
Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.

NET Bible
The sin of these young men was very great in the LORD's sight, for they treated the LORD's offering with contempt.

New Heart English Bible
The sin of the young men was very great before the LORD; for they despised the offering of the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

World English Bible
The sin of the young men was very great before Yahweh; for the men despised Yahweh’s offering.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sin of the young men is very great [in] the presence of YHWH, for the men have despised the offering of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And the sin of the young men is very great in the presence of Jehovah, for the men have despised the offering of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sin of the boys will be exceedingly great before Jehovah, for the men despised the gifts of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore the sin of the young men was exceeding great before the Lord: because they withdrew men from the sacrifice of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the sin of the servants was exceedingly great before the Lord. For they drew men away from the sacrifice of the Lord.

New American Bible
Thus the young men sinned grievously in the presence of the LORD, treating the offerings to the LORD with disdain.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD; because they offended the men who offered before the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sin of the boys was very great before LORD JEHOVAH, because they angered the men before LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD; for the men dealt contemptuously with the offering of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for they set at nought the offering of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Eli's Wicked Sons
16And if any man said to him, “The fat must be burned first; then you may take whatever you want,” the servant would reply, “No, you must give it to me right now. If you refuse, I will take it by force!” 17Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt. 18Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.…

Cross References
Leviticus 7:25
If anyone eats the fat of an animal from which a food offering may be presented to the LORD, the one who eats it must be cut off from his people.

Malachi 1:6-8
“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?’ / By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible. / When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.

Malachi 2:8-9
But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Jeremiah 23:11
“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD.

Hosea 4:6-9
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. / The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. / They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. ...

Isaiah 56:11-12
Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: / “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

Jeremiah 6:13
“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

Ezekiel 34:2-4
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Matthew 21:12-13
Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Mark 11:15-17
When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. / Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Luke 19:45-46
Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there. / He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

Romans 2:24
As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”


Treasury of Scripture

Why the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

before

Genesis 6:11
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

Genesis 13:13
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

abhorred

Malachi 2:8,13
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…

Matthew 18:7
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Jump to Previous
Abhorred Contempt Contemptuously Dealt Despised Honour Lord's Offering Offerings Presence Sight Sin Treated Treating Wherefore Young
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Abhorred Contempt Contemptuously Dealt Despised Honour Lord's Offering Offerings Presence Sight Sin Treated Treating Wherefore Young
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














Thus the sin
The Hebrew word for "sin" here is "חַטָּאת" (chatta'ath), which signifies an offense or a missing of the mark. In the context of the Old Testament, sin is not merely a personal failing but a breach of covenant with God. The gravity of sin is underscored by its consequences, both spiritually and communally. The use of "thus" indicates a conclusion drawn from previous actions, emphasizing the seriousness of the young men's behavior.

of these young men
The phrase refers to the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests serving at the tabernacle. The Hebrew term "נַעַר" (na'ar) can mean young men or servants, highlighting their role and responsibility in the religious community. Their youth suggests a potential for growth and learning, yet their actions reveal a hardened heart, resistant to correction.

was severe
The Hebrew word "גָּדוֹל" (gadol) translates to "great" or "severe," indicating the magnitude of their sin. This severity is not just in the act itself but in its impact on the community's relationship with God. The use of "severe" underscores the weight of their actions and the resulting divine displeasure.

in the sight of the LORD
This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience and His moral standard. The Hebrew "לִפְנֵי יְהוָה" (lifnei Yahweh) means "before the LORD," indicating that nothing is hidden from God. It serves as a reminder that all actions are ultimately accountable to Him, and His perspective is the ultimate measure of righteousness.

for they were treating
The Hebrew verb "נָאַץ" (na'ats) means to despise or scorn. This indicates a deliberate and disrespectful attitude towards something sacred. The priests' role was to honor and facilitate worship, yet their actions showed a profound disregard for their duties and for God Himself.

the LORD’s offering
The offerings, or "מִנְחָה" (minchah), were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing devotion, atonement, and thanksgiving. By mishandling these offerings, the young men were not just committing a ritual error but were undermining the very means by which the people connected with God. This act of contempt disrupted the spiritual life of the community.

with contempt
The Hebrew "בָּזָה" (bazah) conveys a sense of disdain or scorn. This word choice highlights the depth of their irreverence. Contempt for the offerings was tantamount to contempt for God Himself, as the offerings were a tangible expression of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Their actions reflected a heart far from God, prioritizing self-interest over divine command.

(17) The sin of the young men was very great.--Grave peccatum sacerdotum ob scandalurn datum laicis ("the sin of the priests was a great one, because it put a stumbling-block in the way of the people").--A. Lapide, quoted by Wordsworth. Religion was being brought into general disrepute through the conduct of its leading ministers; was it likely that piety, justice, and purity would be honoured and loved in the land of Israel when the whole ritual of the sacrifices was openly scoffed at in the great sanctuary of the people by the chief priests of their faith?



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Thus the sin
חַטַּ֧את (ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

of these young men
הַנְּעָרִ֛ים (han·nə·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

was
וַתְּהִ֨י (wat·tə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

severe
גְּדוֹלָ֥ה (gə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

in the sight
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

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

for
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

{were treating} the LORD’s
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

offering
מִנְחַ֥ת (min·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

with contempt.
נִֽאֲצוּ֙ (ni·’ă·ṣū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5006: To spurn, treat with contempt


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OT History: 1 Samuel 2:17 The sin of the young men was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 2:16
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