the same as אֵלָהlemma אִלָה first vowel, corrected to אֵלָה; Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine; Elah.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **ʼÊlâh**, represented by `{{H425}}`, is used to identify an Edomite, four Israelites, and a place in Palestine. It appears 16 times across 15 verses in the Bible. The name is primarily associated with specific individuals and a significant geographical location in Israel's history.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H425}}` is used for several distinct individuals and one key location. It names **Elah**, a king of Israel and son of Baasha, who reigned for two years in Tirzah [[1 Kings 16:8]] and whose sins provoked the LORD [[1 Kings 16:13]]. It also identifies **Elah** as the father of Hoshea, who came to power through a conspiracy [[2 Kings 15:30]]. The name appears in genealogies, identifying an Edomite duke [[Genesis 36:41]] and descendants of Caleb [[1 Chronicles 4:15]] and Benjamin [[1 Chronicles 9:8]]. Geographically, the "valley of **Elah**" is the famous site where Saul's army camped [[1 Samuel 17:2]] and David defeated Goliath [[1 Samuel 21:9]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context in which `{{H425}}` appears:
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (son): This word is fundamental to establishing the identity of most individuals named **Elah**. It is used to identify **Elah** as the **son** of Baasha [[1 Kings 16:6]] and to name Hoshea as the **son** of **Elah** [[2 Kings 15:30]].
* `{{H6010}}` **ʻêmeq** (valley): This term defines the geographical setting for one of the most famous uses of **Elah**. It specifies the location as the "**valley** of Elah," the site of Israel's encampment and battle against the Philistines [[1 Samuel 17:2]].
* `{{H4427}}` **mâlak** (to reign): This verb is directly associated with the two kings connected to the name. It describes **Elah**, son of Baasha, beginning to **reign** over Israel [[1 Kings 16:8]] and Hoshea, son of **Elah**, who also came to **reign** [[2 Kings 17:1]].
### Theological Significance
The name `{{H425}}` is associated with several key narrative themes:
* **Royal Instability and Judgment:** The name is tied to the turbulent monarchy of Israel. King **Elah**, son of Baasha, had a brief, two-year reign marked by sins that provoked the LORD [[1 Kings 16:13]]. Similarly, **Elah** is the father of Hoshea, who took the throne through a conspiracy and was the final king of Israel before the Assyrian siege of Samaria ([[2 Kings 15:30]], [[2 Kings 18:9]]).
* **Site of Covenantal Victory:** In contrast, the Valley of **Elah** serves as the backdrop for one of Israel's most significant victories, where David defeated the Philistine champion Goliath [[1 Samuel 21:9]]. This location represents a moment where God's power was displayed through a faithful individual while the larger army was arrayed for battle [[1 Samuel 17:2]].
* **Inclusion in Foundational Lineages:** The name **Elah** is recorded in the genealogies of both Edom, as a duke [[Genesis 36:41]], and Israel, as a descendant of Caleb in the tribe of Judah [[1 Chronicles 4:15]], marking its place in the ancestral records of the region.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H425}}` functions as a proper name for both people and a place. It marks figures within the royal lines of Israel, often in contexts of sin and political turmoil, as well as individuals within the genealogies of Edom and Judah. Simultaneously, the Valley of **Elah** is memorialized as a site of divine deliverance, forever linked to the story of David and Goliath. Though appearing only 16 times, the name **ʼÊlâh** is woven into pivotal moments of Israel's history, from royal failure to covenantal triumph.
TRV