According to the biblical account in 1 Samuel 2, Eli was the High Priest of Israel, but his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were described as "wicked men" who had no regard for the Lord.

When people came to offer sacrifices, Eli’s sons would take the best meat for themselves by force before the fat was even burned as an offering to God. Their behaviour caused people to abhor making offerings to the Lord because the process had become corrupt. In addition to mishandling the offerings, they were also known for acting immorally at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Because Eli failed to restrain his sons, a prophecy was given that his family line would be cut off from the priesthood, and both Hophni and Phinehas died on the same day during a battle with the Philistines.