ἠλί (ēli)
ēli
Eli
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word ēli is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew phrase meaning "My God." It appears only once in the New Testament, recorded in Matthew 27:46 as part of Jesus’ cry from the cross. This single usage preserves the original Aramaic or Hebrew sounds that would have been familiar to first-century listeners, rather than translating the sentiment into Greek.
Its significance lies in its connection to Psalm 22. By quoting the opening line of this psalm, Jesus invokes a text that moves from deep anguish to confident trust. The sources note that this is not merely an expression of despair, but a deliberate reference to scripture that points toward eventual deliverance.
Translators typically render it as "Eli, Eli" or "My God, My God" to maintain the emotional weight and historical authenticity of the moment. This choice allows readers to hear the raw human voice of Jesus alongside his theological declaration, bridging the gap between ancient language and modern understanding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Jesus cried out on the cross, He used a language that pierced through time to reach the heart of every believer. The words 'My God, My God' are not just a cry of isolation, but a direct quote from Psalm 22. By choosing these specific words, Jesus connected His suffering to an ancient song of hope. This tells us that even in our deepest pain, we are part of a story that ends in deliverance.
This moment shows that God understands human anguish better than anyone. He did not stay distant from our suffering but entered it fully. When you feel alone or forgotten, remember that Jesus knows what it is like to feel the weight of abandonment. His cry was real, yet it pointed toward trust in the Father’s plan.
There is comfort in knowing that your prayers do not have to be perfect or polished. You can bring your raw feelings to God just as Jesus did. This verse invites you to lay down your burdens and trust that He hears you, even when silence seems to surround you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Eli,1×
- Eli1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ηλι,1×
- ηλι1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
This occurrence matters because Jesus quotes the opening of Psalm 22, linking His suffering to a prophecy that moves from despair to ultimate victory.