Lexical Summary éli: Eli Original Word: Ἠλί Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eli. Of Hebrew origin ('el with pronominal suffix); my God -- Eli. see HEBREW 'el HELPS Word-studies 2241 ēlí – the transliteration of the Hebrew noun ̓Ēl ("God") with the suffix (ī) which means "my"; Eli ("my God"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin el with pronoun suff. Definition my God NASB Translation Eli (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2241: ἠλίἠλί; (L ἠλί, T ἡλει (see WH's Appendix, p. 155, and under the word εἰ, ἰ; on the breathing cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 107; WH. Introductory § 408; WH ελωι)), a Hebrew word, אֵלִי, my God: Matthew 27:46. (Cf. ελωι, and the reference there.) Topical Lexicon Linguistic and Cultural Setting The cry recorded with this term preserves the very sounds uttered by Jesus on the cross, an extraordinary instance where the Gospel writer pauses the narrative to bring the reader into the original language of the event. Within first-century Judea, Hebrew and Aramaic were regularly intermixed; Greek was adopted to convey the message to the wider Mediterranean world. By retaining this expression, the Evangelist testifies to both the historic authenticity of the Passion and the multilingual environment in which it occurred. Canonical Occurrence Matthew 27:46 records that “about the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ ”. The form appears twice in the verse, capturing the intensity and repetition of the plea. The term does not reappear elsewhere in the New Testament, underscoring the uniqueness of the moment. Old Testament Foundation The words echo Psalm 22:1, a psalm of David that begins in agony and ends in vindication. By invoking the opening line, Jesus identifies Himself with the righteous sufferer foretold in Scripture and signals that the entire psalm is being fulfilled in His Passion. The citation bridges centuries, revealing the unity of God’s redemptive plan. Theological Significance 1. Identification with Humanity: In voicing the depth of abandonment, the incarnate Son fully enters the extremity of human suffering while still addressing the Father. Misunderstanding by Onlookers Some bystanders thought Jesus was calling for Elijah (Matthew 27:47-49). Their confusion illustrates how partial knowledge of Scripture can misinterpret divine revelation, while also fulfilling Psalm 22:7-8 where the righteous sufferer is mocked. Christological Focus The double occurrence intensifies the appeal to the Father and underscores the personal relationship within the Godhead even amid judicial abandonment. The term therefore anchors high Christology and profound mystery: the sinless Son is forsaken so that believers might be accepted (Galatians 3:13). Pastoral and Devotional Implications • Comfort in Suffering: Believers facing isolation can pray the same psalm, assured that Christ has already walked the path. Liturgical and Hymnological Use Good Friday services often recite or sing this text to invite worshipers into contemplative participation in the Passion. Hymns and anthems across Christian traditions employ the phrase to convey both sorrow and hope. Apologetic Value The preservation of Jesus’ actual words furnishes internal evidence of eyewitness testimony. The slight variation between Matthew’s “Eli” and Mark’s “Eloi” reflects differing dialectical pronunciations, reinforcing rather than undermining reliability by demonstrating independent reportage. Missionary and Cross-Cultural Insight Because the Gospel itself translates and explains the phrase (“which means, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”), it models contextualization: retaining essential truth while making it intelligible to new audiences. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 2241 stands as a powerful token of the crucified Savior’s faith, the fulfillment of Davidic prophecy, and the comfort of all who trust Him. In two brief syllables the Gospel unites history, theology, and personal devotion around the central event of redemption. Forms and Transliterations ηλίLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:46 AramGRK: μεγάλῃ λέγων ηλι ηλι λεμὰ INT: loud saying Eli Eli lama Matthew 27:46 Aram Ἥδιστα — 2 Occ. |
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