Topical Encyclopedia Hophni was one of the two sons of Eli, the high priest of Israel during the time of the Judges. His account is primarily found in the book of 1 Samuel. Hophni, along with his brother Phinehas, served as a priest at the tabernacle in Shiloh. However, their conduct was marked by corruption and immorality, which ultimately led to their downfall and the judgment of God upon their family.Priestly Role and Corruption Hophni and Phinehas were responsible for performing priestly duties, which included overseeing the sacrificial offerings brought by the Israelites. However, they abused their positions for personal gain. The Bible describes their actions in 1 Samuel 2:12-17, stating, "Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD. Thus, the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt" . They would take portions of the sacrifices by force, disregarding the prescribed portions meant for the priests, and thereby showing contempt for the sacred rituals. Immorality and Disregard for God In addition to their greed, Hophni and Phinehas were also guilty of sexual immorality. They engaged in inappropriate relationships with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. This behavior further demonstrated their lack of reverence for God and His commandments. Their actions were a direct violation of the holiness expected of those serving in the priestly office. Divine Judgment The wickedness of Hophni and Phinehas did not go unnoticed by God. A man of God came to Eli with a prophetic message, warning him of the impending judgment due to the sins of his sons and his failure to restrain them. The prophecy declared that both Hophni and Phinehas would die on the same day as a sign of God's judgment (1 Samuel 2:34). Fulfillment of Prophecy The prophecy was fulfilled during a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. The Israelites, hoping to secure victory, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh to the battlefield, accompanied by Hophni and Phinehas. However, the Philistines defeated the Israelites, captured the Ark, and killed both Hophni and Phinehas, as recorded in 1 Samuel 4:10-11: "So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great, and thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died" . Legacy and Impact The deaths 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 corruption and unfaithfulness of its leaders. The events surrounding Hophni and Phinehas serve as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disregarding God's commands and the importance of integrity and holiness in leadership. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 1:3And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. Nave's Topical Index Strong's Hebrew 2652. Chophni -- a son of Eli... Short Definition: Hophni. Word Origin from the same as chophen Definition a son of Eli NASB Word Usage Hophni (5). Hophni. From chophen ... /hebrew/2652.htm - 6k Library Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity ... Religious Zeal. Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation Faithlessness and Defeat The History of Saul And Forgive us Our Debts as we Also have Forgiven Our Debtors The Form and Spirit of Religion The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents Christian Behavior Resources Why is obedience better than sacrifice? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Hannah and Samuel? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Hannah's prayer? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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