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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/4-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/09_1Sa_04_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 4:15 - The Death of Eli" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were so dim that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were fixed and he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were set so that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were set so that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes had set so that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; his eyes were dim so that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes didn’t move because he couldn’t see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time Eli was 98 years old, and his gaze was fixed because he couldn&#8217t see. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were set, that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />(Eli was 98 years old, and his eyesight had failed so that he couldn't see.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Eli was now ninety-eight years old and almost completely blind.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Eli was 98 years old, and his vision had failed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes looked straight ahead; he was unable to see. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old. His eyes were set, so that he could not see. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Eli is a son of ninety-eight years, and his eyes have stood, and he has not been able to see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Eli is a son of ninety and eight years, and his eyes have stood, and he hath not been able to see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Eli the son of ninety and eight years; and his eyes standing, and he will not be able to see.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now Heli was ninety and eight years old, and his eyes were dim, and he could not see. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes had dimmed, so that he was not able to see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes would not focus. So he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set, so that he could not see.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now Eli was seventy-eight years old; and his eyes were dim so that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Eli was a son of seventy and eight years, and his eyes were dim, and he could not see<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were set, that he could not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Now Heli <i>was</i> ninety years old, and his eyes were fixed, and he saw not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/4-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1114" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/4.htm">The Death of Eli</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5941.htm" title="5941: wə·‘ê·lî (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A priest at Shiloh. From alah; lofty; Eli, an Israelite high-priest.">Now Eli</a> <a href="/hebrew/8673.htm" title="8673: tiš·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Ninety. Multiple from tesha'; ninety.">was ninety-eight</a> <a href="/hebrew/8083.htm" title="8083: ū·šə·mō·neh (Conj-w:: Number-fs) -- Or shmowneh; feminine shmonah; or shmownah; apparently from shamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight; also eighth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">years old,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: wə·‘ê·nāw (Conj-w:: N-cdc:: 3ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">and his gaze</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: qā·māh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">was fixed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">because he could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yā·ḵō·wl (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: lir·’ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">see.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>“I have just come from the battle,” the man said to Eli. “I fled from there today.” “What happened, my son?” Eli asked.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">1 Samuel 3:2</a></span><br />And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-4.htm">1 Kings 14:4</a></span><br />Jeroboam’s wife did as instructed; she arose and went to Shiloh and arrived at Ahijah’s house. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Genesis 27:1</a></span><br />When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” Esau replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/34-7.htm">Deuteronomy 34:7</a></span><br />Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not diminished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:3</a></span><br />on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalms 90:10</a></span><br />The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Isaiah 42:18</a></span><br />Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm">Zechariah 11:17</a></span><br />Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Acts 13:22</a></span><br />After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21</a></span><br />By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-10.htm">Genesis 48:10</a></span><br />Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">1 Kings 1:1</a></span><br />Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-35.htm">2 Samuel 19:35</a></span><br />I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.</p><p class="hdg">ninety</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">1 Samuel 3:2</a></b></br> And it came to pass at that time, when Eli <i>was</i> laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, <i>that</i> he could not see;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></b></br> The days of our years <i>are</i> threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength <i>they be</i> fourscore years, yet <i>is</i> their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.</p><p class="hdg">and his eyes (See on</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Genesis 27:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, <i>here am</i> I.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">Able</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">Dim</a> <a href="/judges/12-14.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-18.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/17-24.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-21.htm">Ninety-Eight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-10.htm">Stood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">Able</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-4.htm">Dim</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Eight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-16.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-13.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-6.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/ezra/2-16.htm">Ninety-Eight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-20.htm">Stood</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-1.htm">The Israelites are overcome by the Philistines at Ebenezer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">They fetch the ark unto the terror of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">They are smitten again, the ark taken, and Hophni and Phinehas are slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-12.htm">Eli at the news, falling backward, breaks his neck</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Phinehas's wife, discouraged in her travail with Ichabod, dies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now Eli was ninety-eight years old</b><br>Eli's advanced age is significant in the biblical narrative, highlighting his long tenure as a judge and priest in Israel. His age suggests a lifetime of service, yet it also underscores the decline in his physical and spiritual faculties. In the context of ancient Israel, reaching such an age was notable, as life expectancy was generally lower. Eli's age also serves as a backdrop to the transition of leadership to Samuel, who represents a new era for Israel. The number ninety-eight, while not symbolically significant in itself, emphasizes the completion of Eli's life and the impending judgment on his house as prophesied in <a href="/1_samuel/2-31.htm">1 Samuel 2:31-36</a>.<p><b>and his gaze was fixed because he could not see</b><br>Eli's blindness is both literal and metaphorical. Physically, his inability to see reflects the natural decline associated with old age. However, it also symbolizes his spiritual blindness and the failure to perceive the moral and spiritual decay within his own family and the nation. This blindness is a recurring theme in Scripture, often representing a lack of spiritual insight or understanding (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Isaiah 6:10</a>, <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a>). Eli's condition contrasts with the spiritual vision of Samuel, who is called to be a prophet and seer for Israel. The fixed gaze may also imply a sense of resignation or helplessness, as Eli is unable to change the course of events that are unfolding, particularly the impending disaster of the Ark's capture and the death of his sons, as foretold in <a href="/1_samuel/3-11.htm">1 Samuel 3:11-14</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/eli.htm">Eli</a></b><br>The high priest of Israel at the time, Eli was a judge and spiritual leader. His advanced age and blindness symbolize the spiritual decline of Israel and his own inability to lead effectively.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of Israel is in a period of spiritual and moral decline, as evidenced by their defeat in battle and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ark_of_the_covenant.htm">The Ark of the Covenant</a></b><br>A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with His people. Its capture by the Philistines is a significant event in this chapter.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A neighboring people and frequent adversaries of Israel, they are instrumental in the events of this chapter as they capture the Ark.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/shiloh.htm">Shiloh</a></b><br>The religious center of Israel at the time, where the Ark was kept and where Eli served as priest.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Spiritual Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>Eli's physical blindness is a metaphor for his spiritual oversight. Leaders must remain vigilant and spiritually aware to guide others effectively.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_neglect.htm">The Consequences of Neglect</a></b><br>Eli's failure to discipline his sons and maintain spiritual integrity led to national consequences. Personal neglect can have broader implications.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_vision.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Vision</a></b><br>Just as physical sight is crucial, spiritual vision is essential for discerning God's will and direction. We must seek God's guidance to avoid spiritual blindness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/aging_and_spiritual_vitality.htm">Aging and Spiritual Vitality</a></b><br>While physical abilities may decline with age, spiritual vitality can remain strong. Eli's account encourages us to maintain spiritual fervor throughout life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>Despite human failure, God's purposes prevail. The capture of the Ark was a judgment on Israel, yet it ultimately served God's greater plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_mount_sinai_important.htm">Is open criticism better than hidden affection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_key_events_in_1_samuel.htm">What are the key events in 1 Samuel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_injustice_to_persist.htm">In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'ichabod'_mean_biblically.htm">What is the biblical meaning of 'Ichabod'?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Ninety and eight years old.</span>--The LXX. here reads "ninety" years, the Syriac Version "seventy eight." In the sacred text, where numbers are concerned we usually find these varieties of translation and interpretation. The present system of numerals was invented by the Arabs. The Hebrews use the letters of the alphabet to express numbers. Such a system was naturally fruitful in errors of transcription, and thus numbers, and dates especially, in the earlier books of the Old Testament are frequently confused and uncertain. Many of the difficulties which have given so much trouble to commentators have arisen out of the confusion of copyists substituting, through inadvertence, in Hebrew one letter for another. Instead of "his eyes were dim," the more accurate rendering would be <span class= "ital">his eyes were set</span>--were stiff, so that he could no longer see. This, as Keil observes, is a description of the so-called black cataract (amaurosis), which not unfrequently occurs at a very great age from paralysis of the optic nerves.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Eli was ninety and eight years old.</span> Until the invention by the Arabs of the present system of numerals, all ancient nations had a most cumbrous system of expressing numbers. The Hebrew method was to attach a value to each of the letters of the alphabet, and then add them together, and thus the eighth and nineteenth letters would between them make up ninety-eight. Such a system led to constant mistakes in copying, and thus the numerals in the earlier parts of the Old Testament are beset with uncertainty. Here the Septuagint has <span class="accented">ninety</span>, and the Syriac <span class="accented">seventy-eight.</span> But as Eli was described already as "very old" in <a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">1 Samuel 2:22</a>, the Hebrew text is the most probable. Instead of <span class="cmt_word">dim</span> the Hebrew has <span class="accented">set, i.e.</span> Eli was now absolutely blind, as the word expresses the motionless state of the eye when obscured by cataract. In <a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">1 Samuel 3:2</a> a different word is used, rightly there translated "dim," as the disease is one which comes on gradually. In <a href="/1_kings/14-4.htm">1 Kings 14:4</a> we read that Ahijah was blind from the same cause, and the word is there correctly rendered "set." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/4-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now Eli</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵלִ֕י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ê·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5941.htm">Strong's 5941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eli -- a priest at Shiloh</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was ninety-eight</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8673.htm">Strong's 8673: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ninety</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years old,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and his gaze</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵינָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ê·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was fixed</span><br /><span class="heb">קָ֔מָה</span> <span class="translit">(qā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because he could not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">see.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִרְאֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(lir·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/4-15.htm">1 Samuel 4:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/4-15.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/4-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 4:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 4:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>