Hophni, along with his brother Phinehas, was a son of Eli, the high priest of Israel during the time of the Judges. Hophni and Phinehas served as priests at the tabernacle in Shiloh. However, they were notorious for their corrupt and sinful behavior, which included desecrating the sacrifices offered to the Lord and engaging in immoral acts with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22).

The Lord was displeased with the actions of Hophni and Phinehas, and He sent a man of God to Eli to pronounce judgment upon his household. The prophecy declared that both of Eli's sons would die on the same day as a sign of God's judgment (1 Samuel 2:27-34). Despite this warning, Eli failed to restrain his sons, and their wickedness continued unabated.

The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in 1 Samuel 4. The Israelites went to battle against the Philistines, and the ark of the covenant was brought from Shiloh to the battlefield in an attempt to secure victory. Hophni and Phinehas accompanied the ark, but the presence of the ark did not guarantee success. Instead, the Israelites suffered a devastating defeat, and the ark was captured by the Philistines.

The death of Hophni and Phinehas occurred during this battle. As foretold, both brothers were killed on the same day. A messenger from the tribe of Benjamin ran from the battlefield to Shiloh to report the tragic news. Upon hearing of the ark's capture and the death of his sons, Eli fell backward from his seat, broke his neck, and died (1 Samuel 4:10-18).

The death of Hophni and Phinehas marked a significant turning point in Israel's history. Their demise, along with the capture of the ark, symbolized the departure of God's glory from Israel due to the nation's sin and the failure of its spiritual leaders. The events surrounding their death served as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithful leadership in accordance with God's commands.1 Samuel 4:4,11,17
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwells between the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Nave's Topical Index

Death of Eli and his Sons.
... the Israelites had fled before the Philistines, that his two sons Hophni and Phinehas ...
the field of battle, telling Eli the sad tidings that caused his death. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/death of eli and his.htm

Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the ...
... be a sign unto thee that shall come upon these thy two sons, Hophni and Phinehas ...
For the death of this man's sons signified the death not of the men, but of the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of those things which.htm

Faithlessness and Defeat
... When Hophni and Phinehas are its priests, the ark can bring no help. ... priest might
look on it through the cloud of incense which kept him from death, while all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/faithlessness and defeat.htm

Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity ...
... From The Death Of Moses To The Death Of Eli. CHAPTER 10. ... The occasion was this:
Eli, the high priest, had two sons, Hophni and Phineas. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the birth.htm

Religious Zeal.
... the Israelites and the Philistines, the ark of God was taken, and Hophni and Phinehas ...
And about the time of her death, the women that stood by her said unto her ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxv religious zeal.htm

The History of Saul
... And the two sons of Eli were slain, Hophni and Phineas ... they answered: Let it be led
all about the cities, and so it was, and a great vengeance and death was had ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

And Forgive us Our Debts as we Also have Forgiven Our Debtors
... Thus Eli the priest, knowing that his sons Hophni and Phineahas are sinners ... acts
of adultery and fornication, claiming that even sin unto death is absolved ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xviii and forgive us.htm

Is God in the Camp?
... Jesus Christ, the appointed Saviour; be reconciled to God by the death of his ... In
their distress, instead of calling upon God, they sent for Hophni and Phinehas ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/is god in the camp.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... never minds nor is affected by it, though another be bleeding to death by him ... It
is not said, his heart trembled for Hophni and Phinehas, his two sons, but his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

Preface
... priests, and deacons may err, and have erred greatly, like Hophni, and Phinehas ... to
be appointed, faithful "witnesses to a personal Christ, His death, and His ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/preface.htm

Who were Hophni and Phinehas? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Eli in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the term “Ichabod” mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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