Topical Encyclopedia
Elealeh is a biblical town mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily within the context of the prophetic oracles against Moab. The name "Elealeh" is believed to mean "God is ascending" or "God has ascended," reflecting a theophoric element common in ancient Near Eastern place names.
Biblical References:1.
Numbers 32:3, 37 · Elealeh is first mentioned in the context of the Israelite tribes of Reuben and Gad. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, these tribes requested to settle in the land of Gilead, which included Elealeh, because it was suitable for their livestock. The passage states: "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon" (
Numbers 32:3). Later, it is noted that "the Reubenites rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, and Kiriathaim" (
Numbers 32:37).
2.
Isaiah 15:4 · The prophet Isaiah includes Elealeh in his oracle against Moab, highlighting the town's significance and its impending doom. The verse reads: "Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far away as Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry out, and their hearts tremble within them" (
Isaiah 15:4). This passage underscores the distress and lamentation that would befall Moab, affecting even its prominent cities like Elealeh.
3.
Isaiah 16:9 · Continuing the theme of judgment against Moab, Isaiah again mentions Elealeh: "So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. I drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh, for the shouts of joy over your summer fruits and your harvest have fallen silent" (
Isaiah 16:9). This imagery of weeping and desolation reflects the broader divine judgment pronounced upon Moab.
4.
Jeremiah 48:34 · The prophet Jeremiah also speaks of Elealeh in his pronouncement against Moab: "The cry will resound from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah. For even the waters of Nimrim will be dried up" (
Jeremiah 48:34). This passage echoes the themes of destruction and lamentation found in Isaiah's prophecies.
Historical and Geographical Context:Elealeh was located in the region of Moab, east of the Jordan River, near the more prominent city of Heshbon. Its strategic position made it a significant settlement in the ancient Near East. The town's mention alongside other Moabite cities in prophetic literature highlights its importance within the region.
Theological Significance:From a theological perspective, Elealeh serves as a symbol of God's judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. The repeated references to Elealeh in the context of Moab's downfall illustrate the broader biblical theme of divine retribution against those who oppose God's people. The lamentations over Elealeh and its neighboring cities serve as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all nations.
In summary, Elealeh is a town that, while not extensively detailed in the biblical narrative, plays a significant role in the prophetic literature concerning Moab. Its repeated mention in the context of divine judgment underscores the themes of lamentation and the fulfillment of God's prophetic word.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Elealehburnt-offering of God
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Elealeh(the ascending of God), a place on the east of Jordan, taken possession of and rebuilt by the tribe of Reuben. (Numbers 32:3,37) By Isaiah and Jeremiah it is mentioned as a Moabite town. (Isaiah 15:4;16:9;Jeremiah 48:34)
ATS Bible Dictionary
ElealehA town of the Amorites, near Heshbon their capital, assigned to the tribe of Reuben,Numbers 32:3,37, and long afterwards threatened as a city of Moab,Isaiah 15:4; 16:9;Jeremiah 48:34. Its ruins, now El- Aal, are a mile or more northeast of Heshban.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
God has ascended, a place in the pastoral country east of Jordan, in the tribe of Reuben (
Numbers 32:3, 37). It is not again mentioned till the time of Isaiah (
15:4;
16:9) and Jeremiah (
48:34). It is now an extensive ruin called el-A'al, about one mile north-east of Heshbon.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ELEALEHe-le-a'-le ('el`aleh, "God has ascended"):
Lay in the country taken from Sihon and within the lot given to Reuben (Numbers 32:3, 17 f). "Their names being changed" seems to apply to all the towns mentioned. There is no indication of the other names. Elealeh is noticed with Heshbon in the oracles against Moab inIsaiah 15:4;Isaiah 16:9Jeremiah 48:34. Eusebius (Onomasticon) locates it one Roman mile from Heshbon. It is represented today by el'Al, a mound crowned with ruins, about a mile North of Chesban.
Strong's Hebrew
500. Elale -- "God ascends," four Israelites... Elale. 501 . "God ascends," four Israelites. Transliteration: Elale Phonetic Spelling:
(el-aw-lay') Short Definition:
Elealeh.
... NASB Word Usage
Elealeh (5).
...Library
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... Jeroboam made a furious onslaught upon its cities"Ar of Moab, Kir of Moab, Dibon,
Medeba, Heshbon,Elealeh"and destroyed them all in succession....
And ii.
... 11"where a similar lamentation for Moab occurs: "Therefore do I bewail as for Jazer
for the vine of Sibmah; I water thee with my tears, O Heshbon andElealeh...
Thesaurus
Elealeh (5 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ELEALEH.
...Elealeh is noticed with Heshbon in the
oracles against Moab in Isaiah 15:4; Isaiah 16:9 Jeremiah 48:34.
...Elea'leh (2 Occurrences)
...Elealeh, Elea'leh. Ele-a'leh .... Numbers 32:3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and
Nimrah, and Heshbon, andElealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, (See RSV)....
Ele-a'leh (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 15:4 And Heshbon crieth out, andElealeh; their voice is heard even unto
Jahaz; therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; his soul is faint within him....
Heshbon (37 Occurrences)
... Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, andElealeh,
and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Kiriathaim (7 Occurrences)
... 32:37 Joshua 13:19). It is named along withElealeh and Nebo in the former
passage, and with Sibmah in the latter. It was in the...
Jahaz (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 15:4 Heshbon cries out withElealeh. Their voice is heard even to Jahaz.
Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud. Their souls tremble within them....
Sebam (1 Occurrence)
... It is named along with Heshbon,Elealeh and Nebo (Nu 32:3). It is probably the same
place as Sibmah (the King James Version "Shibmah") in Nu 32:38 (so also...
Jazer (13 Occurrences)
... Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, andElealeh,
and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Nebo (13 Occurrences)
... 1) This town is named in Numbers 32:3 between Sebam and Beon (which latter evidently
represents Baal-meon of 32:38), after Heshbon andElealeh, as among the...
Sounding (99 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 15:4 Heshbon is crying out, andElealeh; their voice is sounding even to
Jahaz: for this cause the heart of Moab is shaking; his soul is shaking with...
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