Lexical Summary Eli: Eli, Eli's Original Word: עֵלִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eli From alah; lofty; Eli, an Israelite high-priest -- Eli. see HEBREW alah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alah Definition a priest at Shiloh NASB Translation Eli (32), Eli's (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֵלִי proper name, masculine Eli, priest at Shiloh 1 Samuel 1:3 ( + 1 Samuel 1:3 ᵐ5 Th Klo HPS), 1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 1:12 28t. 1-4 + 1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Kings 2:27; Ηλει. Topical Lexicon Historical Setting and Lineage Eli appears at the opening of 1 Samuel in the transitional era between the judges and the monarchy. He ministered at Shiloh, where the tabernacle and the ark were stationed after the conquest (Joshua 18:1). Though Scripture does not explicitly trace his genealogy, 1 Chronicles 24:3 sets his descendants in the line of Ithamar, Aaron’s fourth son. Eli thus represents the northern branch of the priesthood, while the line of Eleazar continued at Nob and later in Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kings 2:35). Priesthood at Shiloh Eli is introduced as “priest” (1 Samuel 1:9) and is regularly depicted seated by the doorpost of the LORD’s temple, a posture of oversight (1 Samuel 1:9; 4:13). He was chief custodian of the sacrificial system and guardian of the ark. The text highlights the continuity of daily ministry—lamps tended (1 Samuel 3:3), sacrifices supervised (1 Samuel 2:14)—alongside growing corruption under his sons. In an era of tribal fragmentation, Shiloh under Eli served as Israel’s central worship locus. Civil Leadership as Judge “Eli had judged Israel forty years” (1 Samuel 4:18). His function resembled that of earlier judges: maintaining social order and adjudicating disputes. The dual role of priest–judge foreshadows the later union of ecclesiastical and royal authority in David and anticipates the priest-king typology ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Psalm 110:4). Relationship with Hannah and Samuel Eli’s most enduring contribution lies in nurturing Samuel, the last judge and first great prophet of the monarchy. Though he misread Hannah’s silent prayer, he quickly corrected himself, saying, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him” (1 Samuel 1:17). Eli later instructed the boy Samuel how to respond to the divine call: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). This mentoring ensured prophetic continuity even as priestly integrity eroded. Failure of Parental and Priestly Discipline Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, “were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:12). They desecrated offerings (1 Samuel 2:13-17) and practiced sexual immorality at the sanctuary entrance (1 Samuel 2:22). Eli issued verbal rebukes—“No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people” (1 Samuel 2:24)—yet failed to remove them from office. The narrative contrasts paternal leniency with covenantal necessity: “Those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained” (1 Samuel 2:30). Divine Oracles and Doom on the House of Eli An unnamed prophet delivered the first indictment (1 Samuel 2:27-36), promising the cutting off of Eli’s strength, the loss of priestly longevity, and the raising up of a “faithful priest.” The second oracle came through Samuel: “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear of it will tingle” (1 Samuel 3:11). Both prophecies converge in the deaths of Hophni and Phinehas on the same day (1 Samuel 4:11), Eli’s fatal fall (1 Samuel 4:18), and, generations later, the deposition of Abiathar by Solomon (1 Kings 2:27). Death and National Crisis News of the ark’s capture by the Philistines precipitated Eli’s death: “When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off the seat by the city gate, broke his neck, and died” (1 Samuel 4:18). The episode underscores the gravity of priestly failure: Israel’s spiritual collapse becomes military disaster, threatening the nation’s covenant identity. Continuation of Eli’s House and Later Fulfillment Although judgment fell, Eli’s line lingered through Ahitub, Ahimelech, and Abiathar (1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Samuel 22:20; 1 Kings 2:26-27). Their displacement by Zadok accomplished the prophetic word of 1 Samuel 2:35, redirecting the priesthood to the line of Eleazar. The transfer affirms God’s sovereign prerogative in preserving a faithful worship structure leading toward the messianic promise (Ezekiel 40-48; Hebrews 7). Doctrinal and Practical Themes 1. Holiness of Worship: Sacred offices demand disciplined guardianship; failure invites communal judgment. Representative Passages 1 Samuel 1:9-18 – Eli and Hannah 1 Samuel 2:12-36 – Corruption and Prophetic Warning 1 Samuel 3:1-18 – Samuel’s Call under Eli’s Tutelage 1 Samuel 4:11-18 – Death of Hophni, Phinehas, and Eli 1 Kings 2:26-27 – Deposition of Abiathar and Completion of Judgment Lessons for Ministry Today • Guard both doctrine and practice; neglect in either sphere invites divine censure. Forms and Transliterations וְעֵלִ֕י וְעֵלִ֖י וְעֵלִ֣י ועלי לְעֵלִֽי׃ לעלי׃ עֵ֠לִי עֵלִ֑י עֵלִ֔י עֵלִ֖י עֵלִ֗י עֵלִ֛י עֵלִ֜י עֵלִ֣י עֵלִ֥י עֵלִֽי׃ עֵלִי֙ עלי עלי׃ ‘ê·lî ‘êlî eLi lə‘êlî lə·‘ê·lî leeLi veeLi wə‘êlî wə·‘ê·lîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 1:3 HEB: שְׁנֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־ עֵלִ֗י חָפְנִי֙ וּפִ֣נְחָ֔ס NAS: sons of Eli, Hophni KJV: sons of Eli, Hophni INT: and the two sons of Eli Hophni and Phinehas 1 Samuel 1:9 1 Samuel 1:12 1 Samuel 1:13 1 Samuel 1:14 1 Samuel 1:17 1 Samuel 1:25 1 Samuel 2:11 1 Samuel 2:12 1 Samuel 2:20 1 Samuel 2:22 1 Samuel 2:27 1 Samuel 3:1 1 Samuel 3:2 1 Samuel 3:5 1 Samuel 3:6 1 Samuel 3:8 1 Samuel 3:8 1 Samuel 3:9 1 Samuel 3:12 1 Samuel 3:14 1 Samuel 3:14 1 Samuel 3:15 1 Samuel 3:16 1 Samuel 4:4 33 Occurrences |
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