Eli
Israelite / Jew Hebrew, tribe of Levi (priest at Shiloh) · Conquest & Judges · Old Testament
- Name means
- Ascended; lifted up (commonly given)
- Role
- High priest and judge at Shiloh
- When
- End of the days of the judges
What they did
Blessed Hannah and raised the boy Samuel, teaching him to answer, 'Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.' He failed to restrain his wicked sons and died when he heard the ark was taken.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He helped prepare Samuel for God's service, while his house's judgment warns that God's honour must come first.
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1 Samuel 3:9 (KJV)
Bible references
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:17 (KJV)
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. 1 Samuel 2:12 (KJV)
Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1 Samuel 3:9 (KJV)
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. 1 Samuel 3:18 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. 1 Samuel 4:18 (KJV)
Family
- Children
- Hophni, Phinehas
Judged Israel forty years and died at ninety-eight (1 Samuel 4:15-18).