Ἠλί

Eli

Definition

Ἠλί is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name 'Eli' (אֵלִי), which means 'My God'. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in Jesus' cry from the cross in Matthew 27:46, where He quotes the opening words of Psalm 22: 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' meaning 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' This is not a proper name for a person here, but a direct, anguished address to God the Father. The word carries the full weight of the Hebrew original, expressing profound personal relationship and abandonment.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 27:46. It is used in the specific context of Jesus' crucifixion, forming the pivotal cry of dereliction. The usage is a direct quotation from the Hebrew of Psalm 22:1, preserved in its original form within the Greek text to maintain its scriptural and emotional resonance.

Etymology

Ἠλί is a direct phonetic transliteration into Greek of the Hebrew name/address אֵלִי (ʾēlî). It is a compound of the Hebrew noun 'El' (God, Strong's H410) and the first-person singular possessive suffix 'i' (my), thus meaning 'My God'. The Greek text does not translate the meaning but preserves the original sound, highlighting the quotation from the Hebrew Scriptures.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically profound as it captures the climax of Jesus' passion—His experiencing separation from the Father as He bears the sin of the world. By using the Hebrew 'Eli', Jesus directly invokes Psalm 22, connecting His suffering to the prophetic psalm of the righteous sufferer, which culminates in vindication and victory. Understanding this as a transliteration, not a translation, emphasizes Jesus' authentic, raw cry and His fulfillment of Scripture, deepening our comprehension of His substitutionary atonement.

For a first-century Jewish audience, hearing 'Eli' would immediately recall the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically Psalm 22. The bystanders' misunderstanding in Matthew 27:47, thinking He called for Elijah, hinges on the sound of the word, showing its cultural specificity. Using the untranslated Hebrew in a Greek text underscores the sacredness and recognized origin of the quotation.

θεός (theos, G2316) — The standard Greek word for 'God', used for general reference, whereas Ἠλί is a specific, personal Hebrew address. κύριος (kyrios, G2962) — Often translated 'Lord', a title of respect and authority, differing from the intimate, possessive 'My God'.

Word Details

Scripture References