Hophni

AI summary: Hophni matters because the cross references present him as a priest who inherits holy service but profanes it through persistent wickedness. Alongside Phinehas, he turns worship into scandal and helps bring judgment on Eli's house. His death on the day the ark is taken confirms that the announced sentence has fallen. Taken together, the material presents Hophni as a corrupt priest whose unfaithfulness contributes to the collapse of his household.¹

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.) ³