The Hebrew name ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ, represented by H476, means God of hearing. It appears 17 times across 17 unique verses and is the name given to seven different Israelites mentioned in scripture, highlighting its presence across various tribes and eras.
The name H476 is assigned to several notable figures in the biblical narrative. One prominent ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ was a captain H5387 and prince H5387 of the tribe of Ephraim H669, the son H1121 of Ammihud H5989 (Numbers 2:18, Numbers 7:48). Another was identified as a scribe H5608 and a prince H8269 in the king's H4428 court, whose chamber H3957 was used to store an important roll H4039 (Jeremiah 36:12, Jeremiah 36:21). A third ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ was of the royal H4410 seed H2233 and was the grandfather of Ishmael H3458, who smote H5221 Gedaliah H1436 2 Kings 25:25. The name also appears among the sons H1121 of David 2 Samuel 5:16 and as a priest H3548 sent to teach alongside Levites H3881 2 Chronicles 17:8.
Several related words provide context for the various individuals named ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ:
- H5989 ʻAmmîyhûwd (people of splendor; Ammihud): The father of the prominent ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ from the tribe of Ephraim, establishing his direct lineage during the census of Israel Numbers 1:10.
- H669 ʼEphrayim (double fruit; Ephrajim): The tribe to which Captain ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ belonged, defining his military and leadership role as the standard H1714 of his camp H4264 set forward H5265 Numbers 10:22.
- H5608 çâphar (scribe): A title held by another ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ, identifying him as a key official in the king's H4428 court with charge over important documents like the roll H4039 read by Jehudi H3065 Jeremiah 36:21.
- H8269 sar (a head person... prince): This title is applied to ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ the scribe, indicating his high rank and position of authority among the officials who sat H3427 in the king's H4428 house H1004 Jeremiah 36:12.
The narrative significance of H476 is seen through the diverse roles of the men who carried the name:
- Leadership in Israel's Formation: ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ, son of Ammihud, was a captain H5387 of the tribe of Ephraim H669 during the wilderness journey. He was appointed as a leader for the census Numbers 1:10 and commanded a division of the camp H4264 of Israel Numbers 10:22, playing a part in the nation's early organization.
- Royal and Priestly Service: The name is associated with high levels of service to the kingdom. One ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ was a priest H3548 sent to teach 2 Chronicles 17:8, while another was a prominent scribe H5608 and prince H8269 in the king's H4428 court Jeremiah 36:12.
- Connection to Royal Lineage: The name appears in multiple royal and significant lines. One ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ was a son H1121 of David 1 Chronicles 3:6. Another, of the royal H4410 seed H2233, was the grandfather of Ishmael H3458, who assassinated the governor Gedaliah H1436 Jeremiah 41:1, a pivotal event in Judah's history.
- Generational Continuity: The name is also listed in other genealogies, such as the descendant of Shallum H7967 who begat H3205 Jekamiah H3359, who in turn begat H3205 ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ 1 Chronicles 2:41, illustrating its presence in the broader fabric of Israelite families.
In summary, the name ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ H476 is not tied to a single individual but to several key figures spanning military leadership, priestly duty, royal administration, and Davidic lineage. The name, meaning God of hearing, is borne by men who held positions of significant trust and authority, from a captain H5387 organizing the tribes in the wilderness Numbers 10:22 to a scribe H5608 safeguarding royal decrees Jeremiah 36:20. Collectively, the occurrences of ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ illustrate the diverse ways individuals served God and the nation of Israel across different eras.
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