Quick Answer: How to Say My God in Hebrew
My God in Hebrew is:
Meaning: My God
Note: This is the phrase Jesus cried out on the cross: "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?).
How to Pronounce Eli
The Hebrew phrase אֵלִי (Eli) is pronounced eh-LEE.
Pronunciation Breakdown
- אֵל (el) - Sounds like "eh" (the "e" as in "bed")
- ִי (i) - Sounds like "LEE" (the "ee" as in "see", emphasis on this syllable)
Stress: The emphasis is on the final syllable: eh-LEE
Practice Saying Eli
Try saying it slowly: eh (pause) LEE
Then say it faster: eh-LEE
Tip: The "-i" ending is a first-person possessive suffix meaning "my," so "Eli" literally means "my God."
What Does Eli Mean?
The phrase אֵלִי (Eli) is a combination of two parts:
🙏 אֵל (El)
God, mighty one - the base word meaning "God"
👤 ִי (-i)
My - a first-person possessive suffix meaning "my" or "mine"
💝 Personal Relationship
Expresses a personal, intimate relationship with God
✝️ Jesus' Words
The phrase Jesus cried out on the cross in his moment of deepest anguish
Key Insight: Eli comes from אֵל (El), meaning "God," combined with the possessive suffix ִי (-i), meaning "my." This creates a personal, intimate expression: "my God." This phrase appears in Psalm 22:1, which Jesus quoted on the cross. When Jesus cried "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?), he was not only expressing his anguish but also pointing to the entire Psalm 22, which prophetically describes the crucifixion and ends with victory and praise.
How to Use Eli
Eli is used in various contexts in the Hebrew Bible. Here's how it appears:
1. In Prayer and Lament
Eli appears in Psalm 22, a psalm of lament that becomes a psalm of praise:
Psalm 22:1:
אֵלִי אֵלִי לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי
Eli, Eli, lama azavtani
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
This is the exact phrase Jesus quoted on the cross, showing the deep connection between the Old Testament prophecy and its fulfillment.
2. In Personal Address to God
Eli expresses a personal, intimate relationship with God:
In prayer: אֵלִי (Eli) - "My God"
In worship: אֵלִי אַתָּה (Eli atah) - "You are my God"
Note: The possessive form shows personal ownership and relationship—God is not just "the God," but "my God."
3. In Names
Eli also appears as a proper name in the Bible:
Eli the Priest: The high priest who raised Samuel (1 Samuel 1-4)
Meaning: "My God" or "God is high/exalted"
Note: As a name, Eli can mean "my God" or be a shortened form of names like "Eliyahu" (Elijah).
Biblical Significance of Eli
Eli has profound significance, especially in connection to Jesus' crucifixion. Here are key biblical moments:
Psalm 22:1 - The Cry of Anguish
אֵלִי אֵלִי לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי רָחוֹק מִישׁוּעָתִי דִּבְרֵי שַׁאֲגָתִי
Eli, Eli, lama azavtani, rachok miyeshuati divrei sha'agati
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?"
This psalm begins with anguish but ends with victory and praise. By quoting the first line, Jesus was pointing to the entire psalm, which prophetically describes the crucifixion in detail.
Matthew 27:46 - Jesus on the Cross
אֵלִי אֵלִי לְמָה שְׁבַקְתָּנִי
Eli, Eli, lema shevaktani
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 in Hebrew (with slight Aramaic variation) on the cross. This was not a cry of despair, but a declaration that he was fulfilling this Messianic psalm, which describes the suffering servant and ends with victory.
Practical Tips for Understanding Eli
How to Study
- Practice pronunciation: Say "eh-LEE" slowly, emphasizing the final syllable
- Read Psalm 22: Study the entire psalm to understand the context of Jesus' words
- Understand the relationship: Reflect on what it means to call God "my God"
- See the connection: Notice how Psalm 22 prophetically describes the crucifixion
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