How to Pronounce Eli

EE-lai

Eli is pronounced EE-lai (ˈiːlaɪ): two syllables, stress on the first. Also heard: EE-ligh, EE-lye.

What does Eli mean?

Eli means “the offering or lifting up”.

Hitchcock’s Bible Names (1869), public domain.

Who was Eli?

Ascent, the high priest when the ark was at Shiloh (1 Sam. 1:3, 9). He was the first of the line of Ithamar, Aaron’s fourth son (1 Chr. 24:3; comp. 2 Sam. 8:17), who held that office. The office remained in his family till the time of Abiathar (1 Kings 2:26, 27), whom Solomon deposed, and appointed Zadok, of the family of Eleazar, in his stead (35). He acted also as a civil judge in Israel after the death of Samson (1 Sam. 4:18), and judged Israel for forty years. His sons Hophni and Phinehas grossly misconducted themselves, to the great disgust of the people (1 Sam. 2:27-36). They were licentious reprobates.

Adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain.

Also pronounced

EE-ligh
EE-lye

Found in Scripture

Other names from 1 Samuel

In other languages

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