### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼÊylôwn**, represented by `{{H356}}`, means **oak-grove** and is used as a proper name. It appears 7 times in 7 unique verses in the Bible, identifying a place in Palestine, one Hittite individual, and two different Israelites. The name is used to establish lineage, designate a location, and identify a leader within Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H356}}` appears in several distinct contexts. It first identifies Elon the Hittite, whose daughter Bashemath became one of Esau's wives ([[Genesis 26:34]], [[Genesis 36:2]]). It is also the name of one of the sons of Zebulun, establishing a key lineage within the tribes of Israel [[Genesis 46:14]]. This lineage is later counted as the family of the Elonites [[Numbers 26:26]]. Separately, a judge named Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel for ten years [[Judges 12:11]]. Finally, Elon is mentioned as the name of a city [[Joshua 19:43]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context surrounding the name Elon:
* `{{H2074}}` **Zᵉbûwlûwn** (Zebulun, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe): This establishes the tribal identity for two of the individuals named Elon. One is a direct son of Zebulun [[Genesis 46:14]], and the other is Elon the judge, who was buried in the country of Zebulun [[Judges 12:12]].
* `{{H2075}}` **Zᵉbûwlônîy** (a Zebulonite or descendant of Zebulun): This term is used specifically to describe Elon the judge, reinforcing his tribal connection [[Judges 12:11]].
* `{{H8199}}` **shâphaṭ** (to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence): This word describes the primary role of Elon the Zebulonite, who judged Israel for ten years [[Judges 12:11]].
* `{{H4940}}` **mishpâchâh** (a family, i.e. circle of relatives): This word is used to denote the descendants of Elon, son of Zebulun, who became "the family of the Elonites" [[Numbers 26:26]].
### Theological Significance
The use of `{{H356}}` carries significance in several ways within the biblical record:
* **Establishing Lineage:** The name Elon acts as a crucial marker for tracing ancestry, both outside of Israel through Elon the Hittite [[Genesis 36:2]] and within Israel through Elon the son of Zebulun [[Genesis 46:14]].
* **Tribal Identity:** The name is strongly linked to the tribe of Zebulun. The judge Elon is explicitly called a Zebulonite `{{H2075}}`, and his burial place is in the country of Zebulun `{{H2074}}`, tying his leadership directly to his tribal heritage [[Judges 12:12]].
* **Leadership and Governance:** As one of the judges of Israel, Elon's story is part of the record of God's leadership over His people through appointed individuals who would `{{H8199}}` judge and govern [[Judges 12:11]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H356}}` serves as a specific identifier for multiple individuals and a place, playing a key role in the biblical account of genealogy and leadership. Whether defining the family connections of Esau, the lineage of a tribe of Israel, or the tenure of a national judge, ʼÊylôwn provides a fixed point in the narrative. It demonstrates how a single name can trace family lines, mark territory, and signify periods of divinely appointed authority.
TRV