Topical Encyclopedia
Elishama is a name found in the Old Testament, associated with several individuals, primarily within the context of the tribes of Israel and the royal lineage. The name Elishama means "God has heard" in Hebrew, reflecting a common theme of divine attention and response in biblical narratives.
1.
Elishama, the Son of Ammihud: Elishama, son of Ammihud, is most prominently mentioned as a leader of the tribe of Ephraim during the wilderness period. He is listed among the leaders who assisted Moses in the census of the Israelites.
Numbers 1:10 states, "from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur." Elishama's role as a leader of Ephraim highlights the significance of his tribe, which was one of the most prominent tribes in Israel, often associated with leadership and strength.
2.
Elishama, the Scribe: Another Elishama is mentioned in the context of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. In
Jeremiah 36:12, Elishama is identified as a scribe in the royal court: "he went down to the scribe’s chamber in the king’s palace, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the scribe, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials." This Elishama played a role in the events surrounding the prophet Jeremiah's scroll, which was read in the presence of the king and his officials, leading to its eventual destruction by the king.
3.
Elishama, the Descendant of David: In the genealogies of the tribe of Judah, Elishama is listed as a descendant of King David.
1 Chronicles 3:6 mentions him as one of David's sons: "Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet." This Elishama is part of the royal lineage, underscoring the continuation of David's line, which holds messianic significance in Christian theology.
4.
Elishama, the Priest: In
1 Chronicles 15:24, an Elishama is mentioned as one of the priests who blew trumpets before the Ark of God during its transportation to Jerusalem: "Shebaniah, Jehoshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be gatekeepers for the ark." This Elishama's involvement in the religious ceremonies highlights the importance of worship and the centrality of the Ark in Israel's spiritual life.
The name Elishama, therefore, appears in various contexts, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Israel's history and religious life. Whether as a tribal leader, a royal scribe, a descendant of David, or a priest, the individuals bearing this name reflect the diverse roles and responsibilities within the covenant community of Israel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
ElishamaGod hearing
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Elishama(whom God hears).
- The "prince" or "captain" of the tribe of Ephraim in the wilderness of Sinai. (Numbers 1:10;2:18;7:48;10:22) (B.C. 1491.) From (1 Chronicles 7:26) we find that he was grandfather to the great Joshua.
- A son of King David. (1 Samuel 5:16;1 Chronicles 3:8;14:7)
- Another son of David, (1 Chronicles 3:6) who in the other lists is calledELISHUA. (B.C. after 1044.)
- A descendant of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:41)
- The father of Nethaniah and grandfather of Ishmael. (2 Kings 25:25;Jeremiah 41:1)
- Scribe of King Jehoiakim. (Jeremiah 36:12,20,21) (B.C. 605.)
- A priest in the time of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 17:8) (B.C. 912).
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom God hears.
(1.) A prince of Benjamin, grandfather of Joshua (Numbers 1:10;1 Chronicles 7:26).
(2.) One of David's sons (2 Samuel 5:16).
(3.) Another of David's sons (1 Chronicles 3:6).
(4.) A priest sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the people the law (2 Chronicles 17:8).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ELISHAMAe-lish'-a-ma ('elishama`, "God has heard"):
(1) Grandfather of Joshua and son of Ammihud; prince of the tribe of Ephraim in the Exodus (Numbers 1:10;Numbers 7:48, 531 Chronicles 7:26).
(2) A son of David, born in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:161 Chronicles 3:8).
(3) By textual corruption in1 Chronicles 3:6 for Elishua, another of David's sons; compare2 Samuel 5:15.
(4) A scribe of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:12, 20, 21).
(5) One "of the seed royal," grandfather of Ishmael, the slayer of Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:25Jeremiah 41:1).
(6) A man of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:41).
(7) One of the priests appointed by Jehoshaphat to teach the law (2 Chronicles 17:8).
F. K. Farr
Strong's Hebrew
476.Elishama -- "God has heard," the name of several Israelites...Elishama. 477 . "God has heard," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration:
Elishama Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-shaw-maw') Short Definition:
Elishama.
...Library
The Writing of an Ancient Book
... But after they had put the roll in the room ofElishama, the chancellor, they
went to Jehoiakim's room, and told all these things to him....
Jehoshaphat's Reform
... Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asabel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah,
and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites: and with themElishama and Jehoram...
The visitation
... Thus we find a son of David's sometimes called Elishua (God helps') and sometimes
Elishama (God hears'); and Eldea or Eldaa may mean God comes' just as much as...
Thesaurus
Elishama (17 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ELISHAMA.
...Elishama (17 Occurrences). Numbers
1:10 Of the children of Joseph: Of Ephraim:
Elishama the son of Ammihud.
...Eli'shama (17 Occurrences)
...Elishama, Eli'shama. Elishaphat .... Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: of
Ephraim,Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur...
Ammihud (10 Occurrences)
... People of glory; ie, "renowned.". (1.) The father of the Ephraimite chiefElishama,
at the time of the Exodus (Numbers 1:10; 2:18; 7:48, 53)....
Ammi'hud (10 Occurrences)
... Ammi'hud (10 Occurrences). Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim,Elishama
the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. (See RSV)...
Eliph'elet (8 Occurrences)
... Eliph'elet (8 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:16 andElishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.
(See RSV).... 1 Chronicles 3:6 and Ibhar, andElishama, and Eliphelet; (See RSV)....
E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: Of Ephraim:Elishama the son
of Ammihud....Elishama the son of Ammihud was over his army. (See RSV)....
Eliphelet (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 5:16 andElishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.... 1 Chronicles 3:6 and Ibhar,
andElishama, and Eliphelet, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)....
Nethani'ah (20 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:25 But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of
Nethaniah, the son ofElishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him...
Nethaniah (20 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:25 But it happened in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah,
the son ofElishama, of the royal seed came, and ten men with him, and...
Elishua (3 Occurrences)
... God his salvation, a son of David, 2 Samuel 5:15 =Elishama, 1 Chronicles 3:6. Int....
1 Chronicles 3:6 and Ibhar, andElishama, and Eliphelet; (See NIV)....
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