Hophni

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew meaning uncertain; often treated as a personal name without clear lexical significance.
• Period/Era: United Monarchy (early), during Israel’s transition from judges to kingship.
• Main References: 1 Samuel 1:3; 2:12–17, 22–25, 29, 34; 4:4, 11, 17.
• Key Connections: Son of Eli; brother of Phinehas; served at the sanctuary in Shiloh alongside the ark of the covenant.

Who was Hophni?

Hophni was a priest at Shiloh and one of the sons of Eli.
He served in the sanctuary administration connected with Israel’s sacrificial worship.
Scripture depicts him as abusing priestly privileges and showing contempt for sacred offerings.
His conduct becomes part of a prophetic indictment against Eli’s house.

Key Events & Achievements

• Abuse of offerings: Took portions of sacrificial meat by force and treated the LORD’s offering with contempt (1 Samuel 2:12–17).
• Prophetic warning: A “man of God” announced judgment on Eli’s household, with the death of Hophni and Phinehas as a confirming sign (1 Samuel 2:27–34).
• Death with the ark episode: Died when the Philistines captured the ark in battle (1 Samuel 4:11).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Hophni’s story highlights how unfaithful stewardship in Israel’s priesthood could bring covenantal judgment on a family line and affect the wider community.

Key Verse

"Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD." — 1 Samuel 2:12, ESV