I Samuel 2:12 kjv — Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

King James Version

“Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.”

— I Samuel 2:12, King James Version

What does this verse mean?

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I Samuel 2:12 in Other Translations

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I Samuel 2 — Context

9

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

11

And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

12

Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

13

And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14

And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15

Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

I Samuel 2:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
What does I Samuel 2:12 say?
I Samuel 2:12 in the King James Version reads: “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.”
Where is I Samuel 2:12 in the Bible?
I Samuel 2:12 is found in the Bible, in the book of I Samuel, chapter 2, verse 12.
What translation should I read I Samuel 2:12 in?
I Samuel 2:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize I Samuel 2:12?
I Samuel 2:12 reads (KJV): “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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