Eli (Judges) - Definition and Overview

Eli (עֵלִי "Ascent", Standard Hebrew ʿEli, Tiberian Hebrew ʿĒlî) is the name of one of the last Israelite judges before the rule of kings in ancient Israel. He was also the main priest and trained the young prophet Samuel.

His sons (Hophni and Phinehas) were considered to be very wicked and were eventually struck down by God for the inreverence they showed in doing their priestly duties. God's judgment fell on Eli himself when hearing that Israel lost the Ark of the Covenant to their enemies. After he was told this he fell over in his chair and died.