1 Samuel 2:12

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

Cross-reference

1 Samuel 1:3 Historical context

1 Samuel 1:3 introduces Hophni and Phinehas as priests — the very sons of Eli described here as having no regard for the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:16 uses the same Hebrew word 'belial' (worthless) — Hannah denies being what Eli's sons are called, contrasting her character.

1 Samuel 3:13 Historical context

1 Samuel 3:13 reveals God's judgment on Eli's house because his sons blasphemed God — the consequence of their having no regard for the LORD.

1 Samuel 4:4 Historical context

1 Samuel 4:4 shows Hophni and Phinehas with the ark — the same worthless priests who later bring disaster upon Israel.

1 Samuel 10:27 also uses 'sons of Belial' to describe those who despised Saul, echoing the same term for Eli's sons.

1 Samuel 25:17 describes Nabal as a 'worthless man' (son of Belial), same term used for Eli's sons.

Jeremiah 2:8 indicts priests who did not know the LORD, mirroring Eli's sons who had no regard for him.

1 Kings 21:13 continues with the same 'scoundrels' testifying against Naboth, repeating the term used for Eli's sons.

In 1 Kings 21:10, the same 'scoundrels' (sons of Belial) are hired as false witnesses, illustrating a pattern of wickedness.

Malachi 2:1-9 rebukes priests who despise God's name and cause others to stumble, paralleling the corruption of Eli's sons.

John 8:55 Parallel

John 8:55 accuses Pharisees of not knowing God, echoing Eli's sons who had no regard for the LORD.

John 17:3 Contrast

John 17:3 defines knowing God as eternal life — the very thing Eli's sons lacked, contrasting ignorance with life-giving knowledge.

Judges 19:22 also uses 'sons of Belial' ('scoundrels') to describe wicked men, echoing the same denunciation of Eli's sons.

Hosea 4:6-9 condemns corrupt priests who reject God's knowledge, mirroring Eli's sons who had no regard for the LORD.

Job 18:21 Parallel

Job 18:21 describes the dwelling of one who 'does not know God,' directly paralleling Eli's sons who did not know the LORD.

Hosea 5:4 Parallel

Hosea 5:4 says 'they know not the LORD,' directly matching the description of Eli's sons who did not know Him.

Ezekiel 22:26 describes priests who profane holy things and disregard God's law, paralleling Eli's worthless sons who did not know the LORD.

Nahum 1:11 Parallel

Nahum 1:11 mentions a 'worthless counselor' (son of Belial), using the same term for Eli's sons who were worthless men.

Romans 16:18 describes false teachers serving their own appetites — a direct parallel to Eli's sons who served themselves rather than God.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 warns of vengeance on those who do not know God — exactly the condition of Eli's sons, highlighting their judgment.

Jeremiah 31:34 promises a new covenant where all will know the LORD, contrasting with Eli's sons who did not know Him.

Jeremiah 9:3 states 'they do not know me,' directly echoing the indictment of Eli's sons who did not know the LORD.

Exodus 5:2 Parallel

Exodus 5:2 has Pharaoh explicitly saying 'I do not know the LORD' — the same condition as Eli's sons, but from a pagan king.

2 Samuel 23:6 calls worthless men thorns thrown away, mirroring the fate of those like Eli's sons who do not know God.

2 Samuel 20:1 uses the same 'worthless man' (son of Belial) to describe Sheba, echoing Eli's sons who did not know the LORD.

Jeremiah 22:16 defines knowing God as acting justly, contrasting with Eli's sons who had no regard.

Deuteronomy 13:13 warns about 'worthless fellows' leading people to idolatry, same term as Eli's sons.

Zephaniah 3:4 condemns prophets and priests who profane what is holy, similar to Eli's sons who did not know the LORD.

John 16:3 Parallel

John 16:3 says persecutors act because they have not known the Father, akin to Eli's sons' disregard.

2 Samuel 16:7 uses the same 'worthless man' (belial) in Shimei's curse — a term applied to Eli's sons here, linking wickedness.

Judges 2:10 Contrast

Judges 2:10 describes a generation that did not know the LORD, paralleling the sons' lack of regard.