1 Samuel 2:12

Paleo Hebrew Niqqud

RBT Hebrew Interlinear:

ובני וּבְנֵי

and sons

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

בן

bên

Definition

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

Root

from H1129 (בנה);

Exhaustive

from בנה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1121

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

בֵּן

masc. noun • Root בין • Strongs / High • Page 253

1. A child, begotten, born, often without distinction of sex (frequently pluralized as children). 2. Specifically, a son, a male child (opposite daughter). 3. Used metaphorically to denote personal characteristics (virtuous or vicious personality, heir of virtue/vice) or objects (e.g., young animals, plants, or inanimate objects). 4. A grandson; also used as boy, youth, prince, heir to the throne.

Conjunction, Noun common masculine plural construct

LXX: υἱοὶ υἱὸσ υἱῶν υἱοῦ υἱοῖσ

LXX Usage Statistics

H1121a:

υἱοὶ 1075× (22.0%)

υἱὸσ 753× (16.8%)

υἱῶν 607× (12.2%)

υἱοῦ 368× (8.1%)

υἱοῖσ 329× (6.1%)

υἱοὺσ 292× (5.7%)

υἱὸν 213× (4.6%)

--- 116× (2.6%)

υἱὲ 96× (2.2%)

'' 84× (1.6%)

עלי עֵלי

upon/upon me/against myself

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

עלי

ʻÊlîy

Definition

Eli, an Israelite highpriest

Root

from H5927 (עלה); lofty;

Exhaustive

from עלה; lofty; Eli, an Israelite highpriest; Eli.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H5941

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עֵלִי

noun proper masculine • Root עלה • Strongs / High • Page 1095

Jah is Highness (proper name masculine).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

עֲלֵי

preposition • Page 507

Hebrew and Chaldee plural construct form of עַל, used in poetry and functioning as a preposition with various meanings: 1. upon (2 Sam. 18:11, Is. 1:14); 2. over, above, concerning, or beyond (Gen. 41:33, Ps. 29:3, Lev. 15:25); 3. to (2 Sam. 15:4, Gen. 38:12); 4. near, by, at (Gen. 16:7); 5. against (Is. 1:25, Mic. 4:11); 6. before, ante (Ex. 27:21); 7. in (Hos. 11:8); 8. for (Est. 7:7, Judg. 9:17); 9. on account of, because of (Ps. 44:23, Ruth 1:19); 10. after, according to, secundum (Ps. 110:4); 11. although (Job 16:17); 12. from, by (Gen. 27:40); 13. with, together with (Ex. 35:22); 14. besides, without (Gen. 31:50, Ps. 16:2); 15. in other compositions such as מֵעַל (from above or on; Ex. 40:36).

עִלִּי

adjective • Page 509

The upper. Josh. 15: 19; Judg. 1: 15.

עִלַּי

chald. adj. • Page 509

The upper, the highest; often used for the Most High God. Dan. 3: 26, 32; 4: 14, 21; 7: 25.

עֵלִי

proper name • Page 509

Eli, the name of a well-known high-priest. 1 Sam. 1: 3 ff.

Noun proper name masculine

LXX: ηλι

LXX Usage Statistics

H5941:

ηλι 30× (91.0%)

בני בְּנֵי

sons/my son

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

בן

bên

Definition

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

Root

from H1129 (בנה);

Exhaustive

from בנה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1121

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

בֵּן

masc. noun • Root בין • Strongs / High • Page 253

1. A child, begotten, born, often without distinction of sex (frequently pluralized as children). 2. Specifically, a son, a male child (opposite daughter). 3. Used metaphorically to denote personal characteristics (virtuous or vicious personality, heir of virtue/vice) or objects (e.g., young animals, plants, or inanimate objects). 4. A grandson; also used as boy, youth, prince, heir to the throne.

Noun common masculine plural construct

LXX: υἱοὶ υἱὸσ υἱῶν υἱοῦ υἱοῖσ

LXX Usage Statistics

H1121a:

υἱοὶ 1075× (22.0%)

υἱὸσ 753× (16.8%)

υἱῶν 607× (12.2%)

υἱοῦ 368× (8.1%)

υἱοῖσ 329× (6.1%)

υἱοὺσ 292× (5.7%)

υἱὸν 213× (4.6%)

--- 116× (2.6%)

υἱὲ 96× (2.2%)

'' 84× (1.6%)

בליעל בְלִיָּעַל

without profit

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

בליעל

bᵉlîyaʻal

Definition

without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness

Root

from H1097 (בלי) and H3276 (יעל);(often in connection with H376 (איש), H802 (אשה), H1121 (בן), etc.)

Exhaustive

from בלי and יעל;(often in connection with איש, אשה, בן, etc.); without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness; Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1100

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

בְּלִיַּעַל

noun masculine • Root בלייעל • Consonantal / Medium • Page 248

Worthlessness, lowness, wickedness, destruction; often used in the phrase 'man of Belial' (worthless person)

Matched via consonantal key only

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בְּלִיַּעַל

noun • Root יעל • Page 100

Worthlessness, wickedness. Compounded of בְּלִי (not) and יַּעַל (use, profit).

בְּלִיַּעַל

noun • Root בליעל • Page 101

1. *perniciousness, worthlessness, wickedness*; a wicked man (1 Sam. 25:25, 30:22). 2. *something pernicious, destruction* (Nah. 1:11, Ps. 18:5). 3. as a concrete, a *wicked man*, *destroyer, waster* (Job 34:18, Nah. 2:1).

Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: παράνομοσ παρανόμων παράνομον ἄφρων παράνομοι

LXX Usage Statistics

H1100:

παράνομοσ 3× (9.3%)

παρανόμων 3× (8.3%)

παράνομον 2× (6.9%)

ἄφρων 2× (6.9%)

παράνομοι 2× (6.9%)

ἀνομίασ 2× (6.9%)

λοιμοὶ 2× (6.9%)

לא לֹא

not

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

לא

lôʼ

Definition

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

Root

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3808

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

לֹא

negative particle • Root אל • Strongs / High • Page 759

A negative particle; not, no. It functions as an absolute negative, a negative answer to a question, or a refusal. Used with verbs in various tenses and moods to express negation or prohibition.

לֹא

particle • Strongs / High • Page 761

A K'ri reading for לוֹ.

לֹא

adverb / particle • Strongs / High • Page 760

Not; No; Nothing (substantive use); Before (cognate sense to טֶרֶם).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

לֹא

adverb • Page 338

A primitive adverb of negation (more rarely לוֹא). 1. not. 2. no (Gen. 19:2). 3. nothing (Job 6:21). 4. without (1 Chr. 2:30). 5. interrogative, nonne? (Jon. 4:11). 6. lest, that not (Ex. 28:32). 7. In combination with adjectives/substantives it gives a negative signification (e.g., לֹא עֹז without strength).

Particle negative

LXX: οὐκ οὐ μὴ οὐδὲ οὐχ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3808:

οὐκ 1137× (34.5%)

οὐ 797× (24.2%)

μὴ 184× (5.6%)

οὐδὲ 150× (4.5%)

οὐχ 127× (3.9%)

οὐχὶ 120× (3.6%)

--- 98× (3.0%)

'' 94× (2.4%)

---% 62× (1.5%)

οὐκέτι 50× (1.4%)

ידעו יָדְעוּ

they have perceived

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ידע

yâdaʻ

Definition

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3045

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

יָדַע

verb • Root ידע • Strongs / High • Page 583

To know, perceive, understand. It encompasses various meanings including: to perceive by the senses, to know carnally (euphemism), to understand mentally, to discover, to be skilled in, to have a clear consciousness of, to care for, and to have moral perception (to know good and evil).

יָדַע

verb • Root ידע • Strongs / High • Page 584

to know, of the different meanings of Kal, to see, be seen, perceived, observed; to be known, to appear i.e. to be recognised; to be well-known, celebrated.

יָדַע

verb • Root ידע • Strongs / High • Page 584

II. The original idea of the root: to distinguish, separate, divide, lay aside, remove. This meaning appears seldom in Scripture.

יָדַע

verb • Root ידע • Strongs / High • Page 585

To divide, separate, split, cut. Figuratively, to chastise, visit, or punish.

יָדַע

verb • Root ידע • Strongs / High • Page 585

A transposed form of יָדַע. The Kal form is not used.

יָדַע

verb • Root ידע • Strongs / High • Page 582

1. to see, to perceive by the organs of sight, to mark, to perceive; 2. to perceive by hearing, to know by the taste, to experience, to feel; 3. Metaphorically from this, to lie with (sexual intercourse).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

יָדַע

verb • Root ידע • Page 272

1. To know, understand, know how (Job 32:22, 1 Sam. 16:16). 2. To know, be acquainted with, know by name (Gen. 29:5, Ex. 33:12). 3. To perceive, observe, discern (Gen. 19:33, Judg. 13:21). 4. To learn, be informed, learn by experience (Gen. 9:24, Lev. 5:3, Ex. 6:7). 5. To imagine, expect (Ps. 35:8, Job 9:5). 6. To concern one's self about, take care of (Gen. 39:6, Prov. 27:23); spoken of God's interest in man (Ps. 144:3). 7. Euphemistic expression for sexual intercourse (Gen. 4:17, 25; 1 Sam. 1:19).

Verb Qal perfect third person common plural

LXX: ἔγνω γνώσονται ἔγνωσαν ἔγνων οἶδα

LXX Usage Statistics

H3045:

ἔγνω 57× (5.6%)

γνώσονται 51× (4.5%)

ἔγνωσαν 37× (3.7%)

ἔγνων 37× (3.7%)

οἶδα 30× (3.1%)

γνώσῃ 27× (2.4%)

γνώσεσθε 26× (2.4%)

οἶδεν 25× (2.6%)

γνῶναι 24× (2.2%)

ἔγνωσ 21× (2.1%)

את אֶת־

את-self eternal

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

את

ʼêth

Definition

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Root

apparent contracted from H226 (אות) in the demonstrative sense of entity;

Exhaustive

apparent contracted from אות in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H853

את

ʼêth

Definition

a hoe or other digging implement

Root

of uncertain derivation;

Exhaustive

of uncertain derivation; a hoe or other digging implement; coulter, plowshare.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H855

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

preposition • Page 82

1. with, together with (Gen. 4:1); 2. with, near by (Gen. 39:6); 3. in or on a place (1 Sam. 7:16); 4. besides (1 K. 11:25); 5. towards, erga (Ruth 2:20, 2 Sam. 16:17).

Direct object eternal self

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0853:

No stats available

H0855:

No stats available

יהוה יְהוָה׃

He Is

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

יהוה

Yᵉhôvâh

Definition

Jehovah, Jewish national name of God

Root

from H1961 (היה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal;

Exhaustive

from היה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יה, יהוה.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3068

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

יְהֹוָה

noun masculine • Root יהה • Strongs / High • Page 590

A pre-Mosaic old Semitic name of the supreme God, which was specially revealed for the older אֵל at the establishment of the Mosaic religion, as an abstract of all divine greatness and holiness.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

יְהֹוָה

proper name • Page 275

The proper name of the deity among the ancient Hebrews. Interpreted as 'the eternal, unchangeable, true' or 'he who is as he shall be.' The text discusses various ancient pronunciations (IAΩ, IABE, IETΩ) and its derivation from the future of הָיָה.

Noun proper name

LXX: κύριοσ κυρίου κυρίῳ κύριον κύριε

LXX Usage Statistics

H3068:

κύριοσ 2605× (41.8%)

κυρίου 1742× (27.8%)

κυρίῳ 598× (8.8%)

κύριον 473× (7.1%)

κύριε 336× (5.4%)

--- 129× (2.1%)

'' 95× (1.3%)

θεὸσ 76× (1.0%)

θεοῦ 69× (0.9%)

θεῷ 28× (0.4%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And the sons of Eli, sons of Belial; they knew not Jehovah.

LITV Translation:
And the sons of Eli were sons of worthlessness; they did not know Jehovah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
And the sons of Eli the priest were evil sons, not knowing the Lord.