Elah

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Easton's Bible Dictionary - Elah

Elah [N] [H] [S]

terebinth or oak.

  • Valley of, where the Israelites were encamped when David killed Goliath ( 1 Samuel 17:2 1 Samuel 17:19 ). It was near Shochoh of Judah and Azekah ( 17:1 ). It is the modern Wady es-Sunt, i.e., "valley of the acacia." "The terebinths from which the valley of Elah takes its name still cling to their ancient soil. On the west side of the valley, near Shochoh, there is a very large and ancient tree of this kind known as the 'terebinth of Wady Sur,' 55 feet in height, its trunk 17 feet in circumference, and the breadth of its shade no less than 75 feet. It marks the upper end of the Elah valley, and forms a noted object, being one of the largest terebinths in Palestine." Geikie's, The Holy Land, etc.

  • One of the Edomite chiefs or "dukes" of Mount Seir ( Genesis 36:41 ).

  • The second of the three sons of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh ( 1 Chronicles 4:15 ).

  • The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel ( 1 Kings 16:8-10 ). He was killed while drunk by Zimri, one of the captains of his chariots, and was the last king of the line of Baasha. Thus was fullfilled the prophecy of Jehu (6,7,11-14).

  • The father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel ( 2 Kings 15:30 ; 17:1 ).

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names
    [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
    Bibliography Information

    Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Elah". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

    • Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Elah

    Elah [N] [E] [S]

    an oak; a curse; perjury
    Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names. Public Domain. Copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
    Bibliography Information

    Hitchcock, Roswell D. "Entry for 'Elah'". "An Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names". . New York, N.Y., 1869.

    Smith's Bible Dictionary - Elah

    Elah [N] [E] [H]

    (an oak, strength ).

    1. The son and successor of Baasha king of Israel. ( 1 Kings 16:8-10 ) His reign laster for little more than a year; comp. ver. 8 with 10. (B.C. 928-7.) He was killed while drunk, by Zimri, in the house of his steward Azra, who was probably a confederate in the plot.
    2. Father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel. ( 2 Kings 15:30 ; 17:1 ) (B.C. 729 or before.).
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names
    Bibliography Information

    Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Elah'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.

    Smith's Bible Dictionary - Elah

    Elah. [N] [E] [H]

    1. One of the dukes of Edom. ( Genesis 36:41 ; 1 Chronicles 1:52 )
    2. Shimei ben-Elah was Solomons commissariat officer in Benjamin. ( 1 Kings 4:18 ) (B.C. 1013.)
    3. A son of Caleb the son of Jephuneh. ( 1 Chronicles 4:15 ) (B.C. 1450.)
    4. Son of Uzzi, a Benjamite, ( 1 Chronicles 9:8 ) s, and one of the chiefs of the tribe at the settlement of the country. (B.C. 536.)
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names
    Bibliography Information

    Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Elah'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.

    International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Elah (1)

    ELAH (1)

    e'-la ('elah, "oak" or "terebinth"):

    (1) A "duke" or "sheik" (head of a clan, the Revised Version (British and American) "chief") of Edom (Genesis 36:41).

    (2) Shimei-ben-Elah, Solomon's commissary in Benjamin (1 Kings 4:18 the King James Version).

    (3) A son of Caleb the son of Jephunneh (1 Chronicles 4:15).

    (4) Father of Hoshea, last king of Israel (2 Kings 15:30; 17:1).

    (5) A Benjamite, son of Uzzi, one of the chiefs of the tribes when the country was settled (1 Chronicles 9:8).

    (6) King of Israel. See next article.

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ELAH (1)'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.  

    International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Elah (2)

    ELAH (2)

    e'-la.

    Son of Baasha, fourth king of Israel (1 Kings 16:6-14).

    He reigned two years, 888-887 BC. The statement that he came to the throne in the 26th year of Asa, reigned two years, and died in the 27th year of Asa, illustrates the Hebrew method of synchronizing the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah (compare 1 Kings 15:33; 16:8). Elah appears to have been a debauchee. While he was drinking himself drunk in the house of Azra, his chamberlain, Zimri, one of his military leaders, conspired against him and murdered him. According to Josephus (VIII, xii, 4) he took advantage of the absence of the army, which was at Gibbethon, to kill Elah. The extirpation of the royal family followed the murder of the king. Baasha's dynasty had its origin in a murder and it ended in a murder. The government had no stability. These revolutions illustrate the truth that "they who take the sword shall perish with the sword."

    S. K. Mosiman

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ELAH (2)'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.