Boy · Hebrew · Old Testament

Eli

EE-ly · from Eli · means “Ascension, height”

Eli is a Hebrew name traditionally understood as "ascension" or "height." Eli was a priest and judge who raised the prophet Samuel in the tabernacle at Shiloh, teaching him to listen for God's voice, even though Eli struggled to correct his own sons. His name is also a familiar short form of Elijah and Eliyahu.

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”

The story behind the name

Eli served as priest and judge at Shiloh in the years before Israel had a king, and it was Eli who first heard Hannah praying silently and blessed her before Samuel was even born (1 Samuel 1). When Hannah later brought young Samuel to serve at the tabernacle, Eli raised and trained him.

It was Eli who recognized that the voice calling young Samuel in the night was the Lord, and he taught the boy how to respond, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3). Yet Eli's own sons were corrupt priests, and Scripture says Eli failed to restrain them despite knowing their sin.

Eli's story ends in sorrow, but his faithful mentoring of Samuel left a lasting mark on Israel's history. A boy named Eli carries a name connected to careful listening and to passing faith on to the next generation, even amid imperfection.

Middle names that sing with Eli

Chosen for rhythm and meanings that speak to each other.

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