Elah אֵלָה
Son of Caleb; father of Kenaz
Who is Elah in the Bible?
Elah was a son of Caleb and the father of Kenaz, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:15 as part of Caleb's lineage. Caleb himself was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan and one of only two spies, along with Joshua, who brought back a favorable report of the land. Though Elah's individual accomplishments are not detailed in scripture, his significance lies in his place within the genealogy of Caleb, one of the Bible's most faithful and prominent figures, thereby connecting him to an important lineage in Israel's history.
Biography
Elah is mentioned in 1Ch.4.15 as one of the sons of Caleb, along with Iru, Naam, and Kenaz. Elah is specifically noted as the father of Kenaz. Caleb was a prominent figure in the Bible, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan, and one of only two spies (along with Joshua) who brought back a positive report.
Family
Parents
Siblings
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 4:15
"The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah: Kenaz."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֵלָה |
Elah (2)
a, 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 1Ki 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
(`emeq ha-'elah, "valley of the terebinth"; he koilas Ela; A, tes druos):
The scene of the events of 1Sa 17:2 ff, referred to also in 1Sa