Lexical Summary
elon: oak, oaks
Original Word:אֵלוֹן
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:elown
Pronunciation:ay-lone'
Phonetic Spelling:(ay-lone')
KJV: plain See also H0356
NASB:oak, oaks
Word Origin:[prolonged fromH352 (אַיִל - Ram)]
1. an oak or other strong tree
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
plain
Prolonged from'ayil; an oak or other strong tree -- plain. See also'Eylown.
see HEBREW'ayil
see HEBREW'Eylown
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originprol. from
ayilDefinitiona terebinth
NASB Translationoak (6), oaks (4).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. (= ) — construct
Genesis 12:6 4t.; plural construct
Genesis 13:18 3t. —
terebinth (or other tall tree, compare below on
1 Samuel 10:3;
Judges 4:5), marking shrine, & hence used in topographic designations; (
teacher's terebinth)
Genesis 12:6 (see Di) so
Deuteronomy 11:30; (
eonjurors' tereb.)
Judges 9:37; distinguished by owner or ruler
Genesis 13:18;
Genesis 14:13;
Genesis 18:1; by neighbouring town
Judges 4:11; compare
Joshua 19:33 (editions , but see Norzi Baer Di.);
Judges 9:6 (compare
Genesis 35:4);
1 Samuel 10:3 read (& compare
Genesis 35:8, &
Judges 4:5) compare Ew
Geschichte iii. 31 Th Di
Genesis 35:8 (see also below ).
Topical Lexicon
Nature of the Termאֵלוֹן most often designates a distinctive single oak or an identifiable stand of oaks that functions as a fixed landmark. Unlike the generic word for “tree,” אֵלוֹן points to a tree large enough, ancient enough, or revered enough to become a place-name. The contexts show that such oaks served as gathering sites, covenant centers, territorial markers and, at times, locations of idolatrous practice.
Geographical Distribution
Every occurrence lies in the hill country of central or northern Israel—Shechem, Hebron, the foothills of Ephraim, the Jezreel Valley and Mount Tabor. These sites all sit astride historic trade and migration routes, so the oaks naturally became reference points for travelers, shepherds and armies.
Key Biblical Occurrences and Themes
1. The Oak of Moreh, Shechem (Genesis 12:6;Deuteronomy 11:30)
• First Canaanite landmark Abraham encountered after entering the land.
• God’s promise of the land immediately follows, tying the oak to covenant revelation.
• Later, Moses cites the same oak when instructing Israel about blessings and curses, binding the past promise to the future conquest.
2. The Oaks of Mamre, Hebron (Genesis 13:18; 14:13; 18:1)
• Abram pitches his tent, builds an altar, receives divine reassurance and entertains the LORD’s messengers under these oaks.
• Thus the tree becomes emblematic of worship, hospitality and covenant fellowship.
• ByGenesis 18 it is the settled home of the patriarch, underscoring God’s faithfulness over decades.
3. The Oak of Zaanannim near Kedesh (Judges 4:11)
• Heber the Kenite withdraws from his clan and encamps by this oak, setting the stage for Jael’s pivotal act against Sisera.
• The narrative stresses a marginal family finding space at a well-known tree, showing how even peripheral choices may serve God’s larger deliverance.
4. The Coronation Oak at Shechem (Judges 9:6, 9:37)
• The leaders of Shechem crown Abimelech beside “the oak that stood by the pillar.”
• Later, that same oak marks the spot from which Gaal sees Abimelech’s troops descending.
• A landmark once linked with covenant (Joshua 24:26) is here exploited for an illegitimate kingship, warning that sacred places do not guarantee holy decisions.
5. The Oak of Tabor (1 Samuel 10:3)
• Samuel directs Saul to this oak where three pilgrims confirm the prophet’s word.
• The episode knits prophetic promise, sacrificial provision and royal calling together at a recognizable tree on the ascent to Bethel.
6. Elon the Zebulunite (Judges 12:12)
• The judge’s personal name is identical to the noun, hinting that parents commemorated a noteworthy oak in Zebulun.
• His burial in Aijalon (“place of oaks”) doubles the emphasis, suggesting deep regional attachment to such trees.
Spiritual and Theological Significance
• Covenant Memory: From Abraham at Moreh to Joshua’s covenant stone at Shechem, the oak operates as a mnemonic device anchoring God’s words in physical space.
• Revelation and Hospitality: Under Mamre’s canopy, Abraham models eager welcome to the Lord and trusts the improbable promise of a son (Genesis 18).
• Warning against Syncretism: As Israel drifted, high trees like these became sites of Canaanite worship (compareHosea 4:13). The same feature that once aided remembrance could foster compromise.
• Justice and Kingship: Abimelech’s rise and fall around the Shechem oak illustrates that leadership established by manipulation collapses under divine judgment.
Practical Ministry Insights
1. Establish Spiritual Landmarks
Recognizing how God has acted in particular places encourages believers to mark answered prayer and covenant renewal today—whether in church, home or mission field.
2. Cultivate Hospitality
Abraham’s table beneath the oaks of Mamre anticipatesHebrews 13:2. Congregations can imitate this open-handed welcome, expecting God to work through ordinary meals.
3. Guard Holy Spaces
The shift from Joshua’s covenant stone to Abimelech’s coronation warns pastors and elders that buildings, traditions or reputations do not secure orthodoxy; vigilant faithfulness does.
4. Remember God’s Faithfulness across Generations
The same oak appears when Abram enters Canaan and when Moses speaks on Moab’s plains centuries later. Teaching children the accounts tied to their church or family heritage follows this biblical pattern of multi-generational remembrance.
Related Passages for Further Study
Joshua 24:26;2 Samuel 18:9-10;Isaiah 61:3;Hosea 4:13;Ezekiel 6:13.
Summary
אֵלוֹן highlights how a single living monument can serve divine revelation, covenant renewal and communal identity—yet can also be distorted for idolatry or self-exaltation. Whether for patriarchs, judges or kings, the oak stands as a silent witness to the God who calls, confirms, judges and redeems.
Forms and Transliterations
אֵל֣וֹן אֵל֥וֹן אֵלוֹנֵ֥י אלון אלוני בְּאֵֽלֹנֵ֜י בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י בְּאֵלֹנֵ֥י באלני ’ê·lō·w·nê ’ê·lō·wn ’êlōwn ’êlōwnê bə’êlōnê bə·’ê·lō·nê beeloNei eLon eloNei
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