pugilist or client, one of the two sons of Eli, the high priest (
1 Samuel 1:3 ;
2:34 ), who, because he was "very old," resigned to them the active duties of his office. By their scandalous conduct they brought down a curse on their father's house (
1 Samuel 2:22 1 Samuel 2:12-27 1 Samuel 2:27-36 ;
3:11-14 ). For their wickedness they were called "sons of Belial," i.e., worthless men (
2:12 ). They both perished in the disastrous battle with the Philistines at Aphek (
4:11 ). (See
PHINEHAS .)
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.