Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Eli is a significant figure in the Old Testament, serving as a priest and judge of Israel. His account is primarily found in the first book of Samuel, where he plays a crucial role in the early life of the prophet Samuel. Eli's life and ministry provide insights into the religious and social dynamics of Israel during the period of the judges.
Background and Role:Eli was a descendant of Ithamar, the fourth son of Aaron, and served as the high priest at Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant was housed. As a judge, Eli held a dual role in both religious and civil leadership over Israel. His tenure as a judge lasted for 40 years (
1 Samuel 4:18).
Eli and Hannah:Eli is introduced in the narrative of 1 Samuel during the account of Hannah, a devout woman who was childless and fervently prayed for a son. Observing her silent prayers at the tabernacle, Eli initially mistook her for being drunk. Upon realizing her sincerity, he blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him" (
1 Samuel 1:17). Hannah's prayer was answered, and she bore a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to the Lord under Eli's care.
Eli's Sons:Eli had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who served as priests but were corrupt and disobedient to God's laws. They exploited their priestly positions for personal gain, committing acts that were detestable in the eyes of the Lord (
1 Samuel 2:12-17). Despite being aware of their actions, Eli failed to restrain them effectively, which led to divine judgment against his household.
Divine Judgment:A man of God delivered a prophecy to Eli, declaring that his family's priestly line would be cut off due to the sins of his sons and Eli's failure to discipline them (
1 Samuel 2:27-36). This prophecy was later confirmed through a message given to the young Samuel, who was called by God during the night. Samuel hesitantly relayed the message to Eli, who accepted the Lord's judgment, saying, "He is the LORD. Let Him do what is good in His eyes" (
1 Samuel 3:18).
The Fall of Eli's House:The fulfillment of the prophecy came during a battle with the Philistines. The Israelites, led by Hophni and Phinehas, took the Ark of the Covenant into battle, hoping it would secure victory. However, the Philistines defeated Israel, captured the Ark, and killed Eli's sons. Upon hearing the news of the Ark's capture and the death of his sons, Eli, who was 98 years old and blind, fell backward from his seat, broke his neck, and died (
1 Samuel 4:12-18).
Legacy:Eli's legacy is a complex one. While he served faithfully as a priest and judge, his failure to discipline his sons and uphold the sanctity of the priesthood led to tragic consequences for his family and Israel. Despite these failings, Eli's mentorship of Samuel was instrumental in the transition of Israel from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. Samuel, who grew up under Eli's guidance, became one of Israel's greatest prophets and leaders.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
EliEli, my God, my God
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Eli(ascension), a descendant of Aaron through Ithamar, the youngest of his two surviving sons. (Leviticus 10:1,2,12) comp. 1Kin 2:27 with 2Sam 8:17; 1Chr 24:3 (B.C. 1214-1116.) he was the first of the line of Ithamar who held the office of high priest. The office remained in his family till Abiathar was thrust out by Solomon, (1 Kings 1:7;2:26,27) when it passed back again to the family of Eleazar int he person of Zadok. (1 Kings 2:35) Its return to the elder branch was one part of the punishment which had been denounced against Eli during his lifetime, for his culpable negligence. (1 Samuel 2:22-25) when his sons profaned the priesthood; comp. (1 Samuel 2:27-36) with 1Kin 2:27 Notwithstanding this one great blemish, the character of Eli is marked by eminent piety, as shown by his meek submission to the divine judgment, (1 Samuel 3:18) and his supreme regard for the ark of God. (1 Samuel 4:18) In addition to the office of high priest he held that of judge. He died at the advanced age of 98 years, (1 Samuel 4:18) In addition to the office of high priest he held that of judge. He died at the advanced age of 98 years, (1 Samuel 4:18) overcome by the disastrous intelligence that the ark of God had been taken in battle by the Philistines, who had also slain his sons Hophni and Phinehas.
ATS Bible Dictionary
EliA high priest of the Jews, the first in the line of Ithamar,1 Samuel 2:27. He was also a judge of Israel forty years, and was eminent for piety and usefulness, but criminally negligent of family discipline. For this the judgments of God fell upon his house,1 Samuel 3:11-18. In battle with the Philistines his two sons were slain, and Israel defeated; but it was the capture of the ark of God that broke his heart,1 Samuel 4:1-22. The divine threatening was fully performed in the day of Abiathar, which see.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Ascent, the high priest when the ark was at Shiloh (
1 Samuel 1:3, 9). He was the first of the line of Ithamar, Aaron's fourth son (
1 Chronicles 24:3; Comp.
2 Samuel 8:17), who held that office. The office remained in his family till the time of Abiathar (
1 Kings 2:26, 27), whom Solomon deposed, and appointed Zadok, of the family of Eleazar, in his stead (35). He acted also as a civil judge in Israel after the death of Samson (
1 Samuel 4:18), and judged Israel for forty years.
His sons Hophni and Phinehas grossly misconducted themselves, to the great disgust of the people (1 Samuel 2:27-36). They were licentious reprobates. He failed to reprove them so sternly as he ought to have done, and so brought upon his house the judgment of God (2:22-33;3:18). The Israelites proclaimed war against the Philistines, whose army was encamped at Aphek. The battle, fought a short way beyond Mizpeh, ended in the total defeat of Israel. Four thousand of them fell in "battle array". They now sought safety in having the "ark of the covenant of the Lord" among them. They fetched it from Shiloh, and Hophni and Phinehas accompanied it. This was the first time since the settlement of Israel in Canaan that the ark had been removed from the sanctuary. The Philistines put themselves again in array against Israel, and in the battle which ensued "Israel was smitten, and there was a very great slaughter." The tidings of this great disaster were speedily conveyed to Shiloh, about 20 miles distant, by a messenger, a Benjamite from the army. There Eli sat outside the gate of the sanctuary by the wayside, anxiously waiting for tidings from the battle-field. The full extent of the national calamity was speedily made known to him: "Israel is fled before the Philistines, there has also been a great slaughter among the people, thy two sons Hophni and Phinehas are dead, and the ark of God is taken" (1 Samuel 4:12-18). When the old man, whose eyes were "stiffened" (i.e., fixed, as of a blind eye unaffected by the light) with age, heard this sad story of woe, he fell backward from off his seat and died, being ninety and eight years old. (seeITHAMAR.)
Eli, Hebrews eli, "my God", (Matthew 27:46), an exclamation used by Christ on the cross. Mark (15:34), as usual, gives the original Aramaic form of the word, Eloi.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ELIe'-li (`eli):
A descendant of Ithamar, the fourth son of Aaron, who exercised the office of high priest in Shiloh at the time of the birth of Samuel. For the first time in Israel, Eli combined in his own person the functions of high priest and judge, judging Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18). The incidents in Eli's life are few; indeed, the main interest of the narrative is in the other characters who are associated with him. The chief interest centers in Samuel. In Eli's first interview with Hannah (1 Samuel 1:12), she is the central figure; in the second interview (1 Samuel 1:24), it is the child Samuel. When Eli next appears, it is as the father of Hophni and Phinehas, whose worthless and licentious lives had profaned their priestly office, and earned for them the title "men of Belial" (or "worthlessness").
Eli administered no stern rebuke to his sons, but only a gentle chiding of their greed and immorality. Thereafter he was warned by a nameless prophet of the downfall of his house, and of the death of his two sons in one day (1 Samuel 2:27-36), a message later confirmed by Samuel, who had received this word directly from Yahweh Himself (1 Samuel 3:11). The prophecy was not long in fulfillment. During the next invasion by the Philistines, the Israelites were utterly routed, the ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas were both slain. When the news reached Eli, he was so overcome that he "fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck brake, and he died" (1 Samuel 4:18). The character of Eli, while sincere and devout, seems to have been entirely lacking in firmness. He appears from the history to have been a good man, full of humility and gentleness, but weak and indulgent. His is not a strong personality; he is always overshadowed by some more commanding or interesting figure.
A. C. Grant
ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI; LAMA SABACHTHANI
e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni, or (Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthanei):
The forms of the first word as translated vary in the two narratives, being in Mark as first above and in Matthew as in second reading.
With some perversions of form probably fromPsalm 22:1 ('eli 'eli lamah `azabhtani). A statement uttered by Jesus on the cross just before his death, translated, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46Mark 15:34).
There is an interesting but difficult problem in connection with the interpretation of this passage. There seems to be a mixture of Aramaic and Hebrew.
The first two words, whether in Hebrew or Aramaic, have sufficient similarity to each other and each sufficient similarity to the name itself to warrant the jeer that Jesus was calling upon Elias, or the sincere supposition of those who might not fully understand the language, that he was actually calling on Elias.
The forms lema and lama used in Matthew and Mark respectively (Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek) represent the various possible forms, the first the Aramaic, and the second the Hebrew. The various readings and translations of the latter word, sabachthani, only add confusion to an effort at ultimate explanation of the real statement. Certainly the influence of the Aramaic played a geat part in the translation and transmission of the original. The spirit revealed by Jesus in this utterance seems to be very much like that displayed in the Garden when He cried out to have the cup removed from Him.
Walter G. Clippinger
ELI, ELI, LAMA, SABACHTHANI
e'-li or a'-le, la'-ma, sa-bak'-tha-ni.
SeeELOI.
Greek
2241.eli -- my God... 2240, 2241.
eli. 2242 . my God. Part of Speech: Hebrew Form (Indclinable)
Transliteration:
eli Phonetic Spelling: (ay-lee') Short
...2242.Eli --Eli, an Israelite
... 2241, 2242.Eli. 2243 .Eli, an... Jesus. Word Origin of Hebrew originEli
DefinitionEli, an Isr. NASB Word UsageEli (1). Heli. Of...
Strong's Hebrew
5941.Eli -- a priest at Shiloh... 5940, 5941.
Eli. 5942 . a priest at Shiloh. Transliteration:
Eli Phonetic
Spelling: (ay-lee') Short Definition:
Eli. Word Origin
...5940.eli -- a pestle
... 5939, 5940.eli. 5941 . a pestle. Transliteration:eli Phonetic Spelling:
(el-ee') Short Definition: pestle.... 5939, 5940.eli. 5941 . Strong's Numbers.
2652. Chophni -- a son ofEli
... 2651, 2652. Chophni. 2653 . a son ofEli. Transliteration: Chophni Phonetic
Spelling: (khof-nee') Short Definition: Hophni. Word...
Library
Eli and Samuel.
...ELI AND SAMUEL.... They came toEli the high priest, and Hannah said: "Oh,
my Lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here praying....
Death ofEli and his Sons.
... DEATH OFELI AND HIS SONS. In the morning Samuel feared to tellEli what
the Lord had shown him; butEli bade him do so, saying...
How underEli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth...
... From The Death Of Moses To The Death OfEli.... 1. Now after the death of Samson,
Eli the high priest was governor of the Israelites....
Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity...
... From The Death Of Moses To The Death OfEli. CHAPTER 10. Concerning The Birth Of
Samuel; And How He Foretold The Calamity That Befell The Sons OfEli....
Herein is Declared what Befell the Sons ofEli, the Ark, and the...
... From The Death Of Moses To The Death OfEli.... Herein Is Declared What Befell The Sons
OfEli, The Ark, And The People And HowEli Himself Died Miserably....
Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit toEli the...
... Chapter 5."Of Those Things Which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit toEli the Priest,
Signifying that the Priesthood Which Had Been Appointed According to...
Samuel --The Child of the Temple.
... the temple. WhenEli was high priest a man named Elkanah came up from Ramah
to worship, and Hannah his wife went with him. She was...
Samuel the Boy Prophet
... After they had eaten in Shiloh, Hannah arose and stood before the temple of Jehovah,
whileEli the priest was sitting on his seat beside the door posts of the...
The History of Saul
... In this time Hophni and Phineas sons ofEli, the great priest, were priests of our
Lord....Eli that time sat tofore the posts of the house of our Lord....
Samuel, the Little Server
... For had not God listened to his mother's prayers and given her her heart's desire?
[Illustration: The time came that she should take him toEli.]....
Thesaurus
Eli (36 Occurrences)... There
Eli sat outside the gate of the sanctuary by the wayside, anxiously waiting
for tidings from the battle-field.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ELI.
...Eli'shu-a (2 Occurrences)
Eli'shu-a. Elishua,Eli'shu-a. Elisimus . Multi-Version Concordance
Eli'shu-a (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:15 and Ibhar...
Eli-oe'nai (7 Occurrences)
Eli-oe'nai. Elioenai,Eli-oe'nai. Elionas . Multi-Version
ConcordanceEli-oe'nai (7 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 3:23...
Eli-e'nai (1 Occurrence)
Eli-e'nai. Elienai,Eli-e'nai. Eliezar . Multi-Version Concordance
Eli-e'nai (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 8:20 and Elienai...
Eli'phal (1 Occurrence)
Eli'phal. Eliphal,Eli'phal. Eliphalat . Multi-Version Concordance
Eli'phal (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 11:35 Ahiam...
Eli'phaz (7 Occurrences)
Eli'phaz. El'iphaz,Eli'phaz. Eliphel . Multi-Version Concordance
Eli'phaz (7 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 1:35 The sons...
Eli'sha's (1 Occurrence)
Eli'sha's. Elisha's,Eli'sha's. Elisheba . Multi-Version Concordance
Eli'sha's (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 5:9 So Naaman...
Eli's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceEli's (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 3:14 Therefore
I have sworn to the house ofEli, that the iniquity ofEli's...
Eli-zaphan (1 Occurrence)
Eli-zaphan. Elizaphan,Eli-zaphan.Eli-za'phan . Multi-Version
ConcordanceEli-zaphan (1 Occurrence). Numbers 34:25...
Jehi'eli (2 Occurrences)
Jehi'eli. Jehieli, Jehi'eli. Jehielites . Multi-Version Concordance
Jehi'eli (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 26:21 The...
Resources
Who was Elkanah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Hophni and Phinehas? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the term “Ichabod” mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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