ELI, a member of the ancient priesthood founded in Egypt (I Sam. ii. 27), priest of the temple of Shiloh, the sanctuary of the ark, and also "judge" over Israel. In the history preserved to us he appears in the weakness of extreme old age, unable to control the petulance and rapacity of his sons. While the central authority was thus weakened, the Philistines advanced against Israel, and gained a complete victory in the great battle of Ebenezer, where the ark was taken, and Hophni and Phinehas slain. On hearing the news Eli fell from his seat and died. After these events the sanctuary of Shiloh appears to have been destroyed (cf. Jer. vii. 12, xxvi. 6, 9), and the house of Eli settles at Nob (I Sam. xxi. 1, xxii. I I sqq., cp. xiv. 3) . In the fall of his house later writers saw the fulfilment of the prophecies of judgment uttered in the days of Eli against his corrupt house (I Sam. ii. 27 sqq., iii. II sqq.) . (See further, SAMUEL, BOOKS OF.)