Hophni, Son of Eli (חָפְנִי, chophniy). A son of Eli the judge who was killed, along with his brother Phinehas, at the battle of Aphek (1 Sam 4:1–18).

Hophni is always mentioned with his brother Phinehas (1 Sam 1:3). Together, they were priests of Yahweh with their father Eli. They took the best parts of meat from the sacrifices, treating the offering of Yahweh with contempt (1 Sam 2:12–17 ESV); and slept with the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting (1 Sam 2:22).

Eli was aware of his sons’ sin, and rebuked them for it (1 Sam 2:22–24), but failed to correct their behavior. Yahweh spoke about Hophni and Phinehas’ sin first to Eli through an unnamed prophet (1 Sam 2:27) and later directly to Samuel (1 Sam 3:11–18). Both times, Samuel is contrasted with Eli’s sons as Yahweh’s chosen servant, and each mention of their excesses is followed by an example of Yahweh’s favor toward Samuel.