Bible Dictionary
Hophni
Hophni was one of Eli’s sons and served with his brother Phinehas at the sanctuary in Shiloh. Their abuse of the priestly office brought judgment on Eli’s house, and both died when the Philistines captured the ark.
Definition
Hophni was one of Eli’s two sons and served with his brother Phinehas in the hereditary priestly office at Shiloh. His name is explained as “pugilist” or “client.” Hophni and Phinehas were condemned for scandalous conduct and abuse of their office.
Biblical Usage
Hophni and Phinehas were called sons of Belial because of their wickedness, including brutality and lust. Their conduct brought judgment on Eli’s house. Both died in one day when Israel was defeated by the Philistines and the ark was captured.
Historical Background
Eli, being very old, had entrusted the active duties of the priestly office to his sons. Their deaths occurred at the battle of Aphek, traditionally dated in the supplied material to about 1130 B.C.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Pugilist or client, one of the two sons of Eli, the high priest (1 Sam. 1:3; 2:34), who, because he was “very old,” resigned to them the active duties of his office. By their scandalous conduct they brought down a curse on their father’s house (2:22, 12-27, 27-36; 3:11-14). For their wickedness they were called “sons of Belial,” i.e., worthless men (2:12). They both perished in the disastrous battle with the Philistines at Aphek (4:11). (See PHINEHAS.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(pugilist) and Phinehas (brazen mouth), the two sons of Eli, who fulfilled their hereditary sacerdotal duties at Shiloh. Their brutal rapacity and lust, (1 Samuel 2:12-17,22) filled the people with disgust and indignation, and provoked the curse which was denounced against their father’s house, first by an unknown prophet, (1 Samuel 2:27-36) and then by Samuel. ch. (1 Samuel 3:11-14) They were both cut off in one day in the flower of their age, and the ark which they had accompanied to battle against the Philistines was lost on the same occasion. (1 Samuel 4:10,11) (B.C. 1130.)