Meaning
A Hebrew male personal name meaning “lofty” or “high.”
Biblical Usage
Eli was a priest at Shiloh and served as a judge of Israel for forty years. He instructed Samuel while Samuel was ministering before the LORD.
Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as priests but acted wickedly. Eli was rebuked because he did not restrain them adequately. He died after hearing that the ark of God had been taken and that his sons had died in battle.
Key References
- 1 Samuel 1:3 — Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas are priests at Shiloh.
- 1 Samuel 1:9 — Eli is identified as the priest at Shiloh.
- 1 Samuel 2:11 — Samuel ministers before Eli the priest.
- 1 Samuel 2:22 — Eli hears of his sons’ conduct.
- 1 Samuel 3:8 — Eli understands that the LORD is calling Samuel.
- 1 Samuel 3:18 — Samuel tells Eli what the LORD has spoken.
- 1 Samuel 4:11 — Hophni and Phinehas die and the ark is captured.
- 1 Samuel 4:18 — Eli dies after hearing about the ark.
- 1 Kings 2:27 — The removal of Abiathar fulfills the word concerning the house of Eli.
Related Terms
- Samuel
- Hannah
- Hophni
- Phinehas
- Priest