חׇפְנִי (choph.ni)
choph.ni
Hophni
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Hophni refers to one of the two sons of Eli, who served as priests at Shiloh during the time of the United Monarchy. First mentioned in 1 Samuel 1:3, he is consistently paired with his brother Phinehas in biblical narratives. The sources identify him by a meaning associated with "pugilist" or fighter, a label that contrasts sharply with his sacred role as a priest.
Hophni and his brother are remembered not for their faithfulness but for their brutality and lust. Their misconduct provoked a divine curse against their father’s house, leading to their death in battle when the Israelites took the ark into combat. The loss of the ark and the subsequent news caused Eli’s own death, marking the end of their corrupt priestly line.
As a proper noun, Hophni appears only five times in Scripture, all within the book of 1 Samuel. These references serve to document the failure of the priestly succession before the rise of Samuel and the monarchy. The name stands as a historical marker for a period of spiritual decline in Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hophni appears in Scripture as one of Eli’s sons, serving as a priest during Israel’s early monarchy. The meaning of his name suggests a fighter or pugilist, yet he used his position not for spiritual leadership but for personal gain. This contrast highlights how outward roles do not guarantee inner faithfulness.
His story serves as a sobering reminder that God takes religious duty seriously. Hophni and his brother Phinehas treated the worship of Yahweh with contempt, leading to severe consequences. Their downfall marks a turning point in Israel’s history, showing that corruption in leadership brings judgment on the whole community.
For believers today, this account encourages self-examination. It reminds us that our access to God requires reverence and integrity. True service is not about status but about honoring the Lord with pure hearts and honest lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hophni5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָפְנִ֖י3×
- חָפְנִי֙2×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 1:3
This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Armies in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Yahweh, were there.
This verse introduces Hophni alongside his brother Phinehas as priests serving at Shiloh, establishing their initial role in Israel’s worship system.
-
I Samuel 2:34
This will be the sign to you that will come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they will both die.
Here a divine sign is given regarding Hophni and Phinehas, predicting their simultaneous death as judgment for their priestly corruption.
-
I Samuel 4:11
God’s ark was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
This verse records the fulfillment of the prophecy, stating that Hophni and his brother were slain during the battle with the Philistines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Hophni mean?
Who was Hophni in the Bible?
Why did Hophni and Phinehas die?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
I Samuel 5 verses
This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Armies in Shiloh. The two…
I Samuel 2:34This will be the sign to you that will come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they will both die.
I Samuel 4:4So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of Armies, who sits above…
I Samuel 4:11God’s ark was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
I Samuel 4:17He who brought the news answered, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter…