If the LORD promised that Aaron’s house would minister before him forever, how can he now change the promise?
The Hebrew word translated as forever
can refer to a definite period of time with no immediate end in view (Deuteronomy 23:3; 1 Samuel 1:22; 2 Samuel 12:10; Isaiah 32:14; Jeremiah 17:4), and does not necessarily convey the concept of eternity.1 Even so, it will still be a son of Aaron that serves as high priest, just not one from Eli’s lineage. The Lord is not revoking a promise formerly made to the house of Aaron. Rather, Eli’s descendants will be excluded from full participation in the privileges and responsibilities of the priestly office which was given to Aaron and his descendants.2 This rejection of Eli’s house and the establishment of a new priestly dynasty introduces a pattern that will be repeated with Saul and David.3
30 C'est pourquoi voici ce que dit l'Eternel, le Dieu d'Israël: J'avais déclaré que ta maison et la maison de ton père marcheraient devant moi à perpétuité. Et maintenant, dit l'Eternel, loin de moi! Car j'honorerai celui qui m'honore, mais ceux qui me méprisent seront méprisés.