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.
Therefore I have made a solemn promise about Eli's family: the sin and guilt of Eli's household will never be removed or forgiven through sacrifices and offerings.
God is declaring that Eli's family's sin is so serious that no religious ritual or sacrifice can ever make it right again.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Samuel, Eli served as the high priest in Israel during a time when the nation was led by judges rather than kings. His sons, who were also priests, abused their positions by stealing sacrifices and committing immorality, which Eli failed to correct despite warnings from God. As a result, God swore through the young prophet Samuel that Eli's family would face permanent judgment, with no sacrifices able to atone for their sins.
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