Lexical Definition
עֵלִי ʻÊlîy (ay-lee') Eli N:N-M-P
from עָלָה; lofty
Eli.
- § Eli = "ascension"
- Eli, an Israelite highpriest
1) descendant of Aaron through Ithamar and high priest and judge of Israel when Samuel entered service as a child
See Greek: Ἡλί
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| עֵלִי֙ | Eli | 1Sam.3.16 • 1Sam.4.11 • 1Sam.4.14 |
| עֵלִֽי | Eli | 1Sam.1.25 • 1Sam.3.15 |
| עֵלִ֥י | Eli | 1Sam.2.11 |
| עֵלִ֣י | Eli | 1Sam.3.9 |
| עֵלִ֜י | Eli | 1Sam.2.20 • 1Sam.14.3 |
| עֵלִ֛י | Eli | 1Sam.1.17 • 1Sam.3.14 |
| עֵלִ֗י | Eli | 1Sam.1.3 • 1Sam.3.5 • 1Sam.4.4 • 1Sam.4.16 |
| עֵלִ֖י | Eli | 1Sam.1.13 • 1Sam.2.12 • 1Kgs.2.27 |
| עֵלִ֔י | Eli | 1Sam.1.14 • 1Sam.3.6 • 1Sam.3.8 • 1Sam.3.8 • 1Sam.3.12 |
| עֵלִ֑י | Eli | 1Sam.2.27 • 1Sam.3.1 • 1Sam.3.14 |
| עֵ֠לִי | Eli | 1Sam.4.13 |
| לְעֵלִֽי | to Eli | 1Sam.4.14 |
| וְעֵלִ֣י | and Eli | 1Sam.1.9 |
| וְעֵלִ֖י | and Eli | 1Sam.1.12 • 1Sam.2.22 • 1Sam.3.2 |
| וְעֵלִ֕י | and Eli | 1Sam.4.15 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.1.3
- father of: Hophni (חׇפְנִי), Phinehas (פִּינְחָס)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
עֵלִי proper name, masculine Eli, priest at Shiloh 1Sam 1:3 ( + v1Sam 1:3 ᵐ5 Th Klo HPS), v1Sam 1:9 v1Sam 1:12 + 28 t. 1-4 + 1Sam 14:3; 1Kgs 2:27 Ηλει.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Samuel | 1:3 · 1:9 · 1:12 · 14:3 |
| 1 Kings | 2:27 |
Profile
Male • A High Priest • High priest and judge of Israel at Shiloh
High Priest living at the time of United Monarchy
Eli was the high priest and judge of Israel who ministered at the tabernacle in Shiloh.
- A High Priest living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.1.3;
- only referred to as Eli עֵלִי;
- father of Hophni חׇפְנִי, Phinehas פִּינְחָס.
Eli, a prominent figure in 1 Samuel, served as the high priest and judge of Israel at the tabernacle in Shiloh. He first appears in the narrative when Hannah, the mother of Samuel, prays at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 1:9-17). Eli initially misunderstands her prayer but later blesses her. After Samuel's birth, Hannah dedicates him to serve under Eli at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 1:25-28). However, Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were wicked and did not follow God's ways (1 Samuel 2:12-17). Eli failed to restrain their behavior, leading to a prophecy of judgment against his family (1 Samuel 2:27-36). Eli continued to serve as the high priest and judge, while Samuel grew up in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 3). In his old age, Eli received news of Israel's defeat by the Philistines, the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, and the death of his sons. Upon hearing this, Eli fell backward, broke his neck, and died at the age of 98 (1 Samuel 4:12-18). His death marked the end of an era and the beginning of Samuel's leadership as a prophet and judge.
All entries for Eli: עֵלִי