Hophni And Phinehas
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Hophni And Phinehas in the Bible?
Hophni and Phinehas were the sons of Eli, high priest at Shiloh, who abused their priestly authority by seizing sacrificial meat and engaging in sexual immorality with women serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Their actions provoked divine judgment, leading to their simultaneous death in battle against the Philistines at Aphek, an event that also resulted in the capture of the Ark of the Covenant and the subsequent death of Eli.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the narrative of Hophni and Phinehas clarifies the theological transition in the Book of Samuel from the hereditary priesthood of Eli's house to the rise of Samuel and eventually David, illustrating the biblical theme that religious office does not grant immunity from moral accountability.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.