from חֹפֶן; perhaps pugilist; Chophni, an Israelite; Hophni.
Transliteration:Chophnîy
Pronunciation:khof-nee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חׇפְנִי (Chophnî), Strong's H2652, is primarily a proper noun, designating one of the two sons of Eli the high priest. Its etymological root is derived from חֹפֶן (chophen, `{{H2653}}`), which refers to the "hollow of the hand" or a "fistful." The suggested meaning "pugilist" (boxer) in the base definition is an interpretative extension from this root, implying one who uses his fists. While this etymological connection provides a potential semantic background, the word's primary function in the biblical text is to identify a specific individual within the priestly lineage, whose character and actions are central to a significant narrative of divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Chophni is consistently mentioned in the books of 1 Samuel, always in conjunction with his brother Phinehas. Their appearances are critical to understanding the decline of Eli's priestly house and the subsequent divine judgment.
* [[1 Samuel 1:3]]: Chophni is first introduced as one of the two sons of Eli, serving as priests of the Lord at Shiloh. This initial mention establishes their role within the tabernacle worship.
* [[1 Samuel 2:12]]: The narrative immediately highlights their profound wickedness: "Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the Lord." This is a stark indictment, indicating not merely bad behavior but a fundamental lack of proper relationship with God.
* [[1 Samuel 2:13-17]]: Their specific transgressions are detailed. They routinely violated the established sacrificial laws, taking the choicest portions of the offerings for themselves before the fat was burned to the Lord, thereby despising the Lord's sacrifice. This act of sacrilege undermined the very essence of covenant worship.
* [[1 Samuel 2:22]]: Beyond their abuse of the sacrificial system, Chophni and Phinehas were also engaged in sexual immorality with the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting. This further compounded their wickedness, defiling the sacred space and their priestly office.
* [[1 Samuel 2:34]]: A man of God delivers a prophecy to Eli, declaring that both Chophni and Phinehas would die on the same day as a sign of God's judgment upon Eli's house.
* [[1 Samuel 3:13]]: The Lord confirms this judgment to the young Samuel, stating that Eli's house would be judged forever because his sons made themselves contemptible, and Eli failed to restrain them.
* [[1 Samuel 4:4]]: The elders of Israel retrieve the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, hoping its presence would ensure victory against the Philistines. Chophni and Phinehas accompany the Ark, highlighting their continued, albeit corrupt, priestly function.
* [[1 Samuel 4:11]]: The prophecy of their death is fulfilled. Both Chophni and Phinehas are killed in battle by the Philistines, and the Ark of God is captured.
* [[1 Samuel 4:17]]: The messenger reporting the news to Eli confirms their deaths and the capture of the Ark, leading to Eli's own demise.
Across these occurrences, Chophni's name is inextricably linked to profound spiritual corruption, abuse of priestly authority, and ultimately, divine retribution.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of חׇפְנִי (Chophnî, `{{H2652}}`) is enriched by its connections to several key terms and theological concepts:
* **חֹפֶן (chophen, `{{H2653}}`):** The direct root of Chophni's name, meaning "hollow of the hand" or "fist." While the name's meaning might allude to strength or aggression (as in "pugilist"), its primary significance lies in its bearer's actions, which were anything but righteous.
* **פִּינְחָס (Phinehas, `{{H6372}}`):** Chophni's brother, whose name is almost always mentioned alongside his. Their shared identity as "worthless men" and their joint demise underscore the collective nature of their sin and judgment. Their story stands in stark contrast to the earlier, zealous Phinehas (Numbers 25), highlighting the degradation of the priestly line.
* **עֵלִי (Eli, `{{H5941}}`):** The father of Chophni and Phinehas, the high priest. Eli's failure to effectively discipline his sons is a central theme, emphasizing the accountability of leadership and the intergenerational consequences of unaddressed sin.
* **Priesthood:** The narrative of Chophni directly addresses the sanctity and responsibilities of the Israelite priesthood. Their actions demonstrate a profound desecration of this sacred office.
* **Sacrilege/Profanation:** Chophni and Phinehas's taking of the sacrificial meat improperly and their sexual misconduct at the tabernacle represent severe acts of sacrilege, violating the holiness of God and His worship.
* **Divine Judgment:** Their story is a powerful testament to God's justice and His intolerance for sin, particularly among those entrusted with spiritual leadership. The fulfillment of the prophecy regarding their death serves as a dramatic demonstration of God's sovereign control and His commitment to covenant faithfulness.
* **Ark of the Covenant:** The capture of the Ark of the Covenant, occurring simultaneously with their deaths, signifies the temporary withdrawal of God's manifest presence and blessing due to the people's and the priests' unfaithfulness.
### Theological Significance
The figure of Chophni, though a minor character in terms of individual narrative development, carries profound theological weight. His story, inseparable from that of his brother Phinehas and their father Eli, serves as a powerful cautionary tale within the biblical narrative:
1. **The Peril of Abused Authority:** Chophni represents the corruption that can plague religious leadership. His actions demonstrate a fundamental disregard for God's laws and the sacred trust placed in the priesthood. This highlights the severe consequences when those in positions of spiritual authority exploit their roles for personal gain or pleasure, rather than serving God and His people with integrity.
2. **God's Holiness and Justice:** The swift and decisive judgment upon Chophni and Phinehas, culminating in their death and the capture of the Ark, underscores God's unwavering holiness. He cannot be mocked, and His sacred institutions cannot be profaned with impunity. Their fate serves as a stark reminder that God holds His servants to a high standard of purity and obedience, and that sin, particularly within the covenant community, will be met with divine retribution.
3. **Parental Accountability:** Eli's failure to restrain his sons, despite knowing of their wickedness, is explicitly stated as a reason for God's judgment upon his house ([[1 Samuel 3:13]]). This emphasizes the spiritual responsibility of parents to disciple and discipline their children, especially when those children are in positions of influence within the community of faith.
4. **The Necessity of True Knowledge of God:** The statement that "the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the Lord" ([[1 Samuel 2:12]]) is critical. Their actions were not merely missteps but stemmed from a deep-seated spiritual ignorance or rejection of God's character and commands. This illustrates that outward religious service without an inward, personal knowledge of God is futile and leads to spiritual decay.
5. **The Transition of Leadership:** The judgment on Eli's house, epitomized by the deaths of Chophni and Phinehas, paves the way for the rise of Samuel and eventually the establishment of the monarchy. It signifies a divine pruning, clearing the way for a new era of leadership that would, for a time, be more aligned with God's will.
### Summary
חׇפְנִי (Chophnî, `{{H2652}}`) is the name of one of Eli the high priest's two sons, whose etymological root may relate to "fist." However, his significance in the biblical narrative transcends this possible etymology. Chophni, along with his brother Phinehas, serves as a powerful negative example of priestly corruption and sacrilege in ancient Israel. Their abuse of the sacrificial system and their immoral conduct at the tabernacle demonstrated a profound "worthlessness" and a lack of true knowledge of the Lord. Their story, detailed primarily in 1 Samuel, culminates in their simultaneous death in battle and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, fulfilling divine prophecy. The theological lessons gleaned from Chophni's life are profound: they underscore God's unwavering holiness and justice, the severe consequences of abusing spiritual authority, the importance of parental accountability, and the necessity of genuine knowledge of God for those in sacred service. Their fate marks a critical turning point, illustrating God's judgment upon unfaithfulness and His sovereign hand in orchestrating new leadership for His people.
TRV