Illustration created for this project.
Eli
The priest at Shiloh who raised the boy Samuel; his own sons were wicked.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 2
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Origin & birthplace
Family & lineage
ScholarlyBoth Josephus and the priestly genealogies place Eli in the line of Aaron's son Ithamar rather than Eleazar, making the passage of the high priesthood to Ithamar's branch (and later back, under Solomon and Zadok) a much-discussed point in the history of the Israelite priesthood.
1 Chronicles 24:3; Josephus, Antiquities Book 5; scholarly discussion of the Ithamar-to-Eleazar/Zadok succession.
Tribe & people
BibleOf the tribe of Levi.
1 Samuel 1:3
Life, role & deeds
ArchaeologyThe sanctuary town where Eli served, Shiloh, is securely identified with Khirbet Seilun and has been excavated—by Israel Finkelstein (1981-1984) and more recently by Scott Stripling's team—revealing an Iron Age I cultic center and a destruction layer that many date to the mid-11th century BCE. This attests the institution and place tied to Eli, not the man himself.
Excavations at Khirbet Seilun (Shiloh): I. Finkelstein (ed.), 'Shiloh: The Archaeology of a Biblical Site,' Tel Aviv University Institute of Archaeology Monograph Series 10 (1993); renewed excavations from 2017 by S. Stripling (Associates for Biblical Research)—Iron I cultic center and a mid-11th-century BCE destruction layer.
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersJosephus recounts Eli's tenure as high priest and judge at Shiloh, the wickedness of his sons, and his death on hearing of the ark's capture, closely following the biblical narrative.
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 5.10-11 (Whiston), recounting Eli's judgeship at Shiloh, the wickedness of his sons, and his death on news of the ark's capture, following 1 Samuel 1-4.
Where in scripture
1 Samuel1 Kings
1 Samuel 1:31 Samuel 1:91 Samuel 1:121 Samuel 1:131 Samuel 1:141 Samuel 1:171 Samuel 1:251 Samuel 2:111 Samuel 2:121 Samuel 2:201 Samuel 2:221 Samuel 2:271 Samuel 3:181 Samuel 4:41 Samuel 4:111 Samuel 4:131 Samuel 4:141 Samuel 4:151 Samuel 4:161 Samuel 14:31 Kings 2:27
Family
In their own words — 11 recorded sayings
“And Eli said to her, How long are you going to be the worse for drink? Put away the effects of your wine from you.” — 1 Samuel 1:14
“Then Eli said to her, Go in peace: and may the God of Israel give you an answer to the prayer you have made to him.” — 1 Samuel 1:17
“And every year Eli gave Elkanah and his wife a blessing, saying, May the Lord give you offspring by this woman in exchange for the child you have given to the Lord. And they went back to their house.” — 1 Samuel 2:20
“And he said to them, Why are you doing such things? for from all this people I get accounts of your evil ways. No, my sons, the account which is given me, which the Lord's people are sending about, is not good. If one man does wrong to another, God will be his judge: but if a man's sin is against the Lord, who will take up his cause? But they gave no attention to the voice of their father, for it was the Lord's purpose to send destruction on them.” — 1 Samuel 2:23-25
“And running to Eli he said, Here am I, for you said my name. And Eli said, I did not say your name; go to your rest again. So he went back to his bed.” — 1 Samuel 3:5
“And again the Lord said, Samuel. And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, Here am I; for you certainly said my name. But he said in answer, I said nothing, my son; go to your rest again.” — 1 Samuel 3:6
“So Eli said to Samuel, Go back: and if the voice comes again, let your answer be, Say on, Lord; for the ears of your servant are open. So Samuel went back to his bed.” — 1 Samuel 3:9
“Then Eli said, Samuel, my son. And Samuel answering said, Here am I.” — 1 Samuel 3:16
…and 3 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
