Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes had grown so dim that he could not see.
This verse tells us that Eli, the high priest, was very old and had lost his eyesight due to his advanced age.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of 1 Samuel, Eli served as the high priest of Israel at Shiloh during a turbulent period when the nation was repeatedly defeated by the Philistines in battle. This verse describes Eli at ninety-eight years old, with failing eyesight that left him physically blind, symbolizing the broader decline of his leadership amid Israel's spiritual and military crises. The context occurs just before the shocking news of the Ark of the Covenant's capture reaches him, highlighting the consequences of weak spiritual oversight.
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