Eli
Synonyms:
Eli, ay-LEE, עֵלִי
Eli_(biblical_figure) (Wikipedia)
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1645 painting by Jan Victors of Hannah presenting her son Samuel to Eli, who is seated on the right.
Eli was, according to the Books of Samuel, a High Priest of Shiloh. He delivers God's message to Hannah and Elkanah, a childless couple, that they will become parents of a son. The child, Samuel, is raised by Eli in the tabernacle, a tent-like structure which according to the Bible was used by Israelites as a center for sacrifice to Yahweh. When Eli fails to reign in the abusive behavior of his sons, God promises to punish his family, resulting eventually in the death of Eli and his sons. Later biblical passages mention the fortunes of several of his descendants, and he figures prominently in Samaritan tradition.