### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **ʼElyâqîym**, represented by `{{H471}}`, means **God of raising**. It appears **12 times** in **12 unique verses**, designating four different Israelites. The name is consistently associated with individuals in positions of significant leadership, including roles in the royal household, the monarchy, and the priesthood.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, **ʼElyâqîym** is most prominently the name of the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Hilkiah** `{{H2518}}`, who served King **Hezekiah** `{{H2396}}` as the official "over the household" `{{H1004}}` [[2 Kings 18:18]]. In this role, he acted as a chief diplomat during the crisis with the Assyrian Rabshakeh [[Isaiah 36:11]] and was sent as an envoy to the prophet **Isaiah** `{{H3470}}` [[2 Kings 19:2]]. The LORD refers to this Eliakim as "my **servant**" [[Isaiah 22:20]]. Another Eliakim was the **son** `{{H1121}}` of King **Josiah** `{{H2977}}`, who was appointed **king** over **Judah** `{{H3063}}` by Pharaohnechoh of Egypt. His **name** was changed to **Jehoiakim** `{{H3079}}` as a sign of this new allegiance ([[2 Kings 23:34]]; [[2 Chronicles 36:4]]). The name also appears for a **priest** `{{H3548}}` with **trumpets** `{{H2689}}` during the time of Nehemiah [[Nehemiah 12:41]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which **ʼElyâqîym** is found:
* `{{H1004}}` **bayith** (house): This word is key to understanding the primary role of Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, who was appointed "over the **household**" [[2 Kings 18:18]], a title signifying a steward with great authority in the royal court.
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (son): This term is essential for establishing the identity and lineage of the figures named Eliakim, specifying one as the **son** of **Hilkiah** `{{H2518}}` [[Isaiah 22:20]] and another as the **son** of **Josiah** `{{H2977}}` [[2 Kings 23:34]].
* `{{H4427}}` **mâlak** (to reign): This verb defines the destiny of Eliakim, son of Josiah. Pharaohnechoh made him **king** `{{H4427}}` over Judah, marking a pivotal moment of foreign intervention in the kingdom's line of succession [[2 Chronicles 36:4]].
### Theological Significance
The name **ʼElyâqîym** carries significant thematic weight in its various contexts:
* **Divine Appointment:** The name's meaning, "God of raising," is vividly illustrated when the LORD explicitly states He will **call** `{{H7121}}` His **servant** `{{H5650}}` Eliakim to his position of authority [[Isaiah 22:20]], framing his stewardship as a divinely sanctioned role.
* **Transferred Sovereignty:** The story of the second Eliakim is one of political subjugation. He is made **king** by Pharaohnechoh, who **turned** `{{H5437}}` his **name** `{{H8034}}` to **Jehoiakim** `{{H3079}}` [[2 Kings 23:34]]. This renaming by a foreign ruler symbolizes Judah's loss of sovereignty.
* **Representation in Crisis:** Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, consistently acts as a representative for King **Hezekiah** `{{H2396}}` during the Assyrian siege. He is sent to face the taunts of the Rabshakeh and to carry messages to the prophet **Isaiah** `{{H3470}}`, often with his **clothes** `{{H899}}` **rent** `{{H7167}}` in distress ([[Isaiah 36:22]]; [[Isaiah 37:2]]).
### Summary
In summary, **ʼElyâqîym** `{{H471}}` is a name meaning "God of raising" that is bestowed upon men in critical positions of trust and authority. From the faithful steward serving King Hezekiah during a military siege to the king installed by an Egyptian Pharaoh, the name is tied to moments of immense national consequence. The narratives involving Eliakim illustrate themes of divine appointment, political turmoil, and leadership in crisis, making it a name of historical and theological importance.
TRV