Elishah אֱלִישָׁה
A son of Javan, who is grandson of Noah.
Who is Elishah in the Bible?
Elishah was a son of Javan and great-grandson of Noah, appearing in the genealogical records of Genesis 10:4 and 1 Chronicles 1:7. As a descendant of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons, Elishah belonged to the line of nations that populated the ancient world after the flood. He is grouped with his brothers Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim as people associated with coastal regions and islands of the Mediterranean Sea, with scholars suggesting his name may correspond to Alashiya (ancient Cyprus) or the region of Elis in Greece. Though Elishah is mentioned only briefly in biblical genealogies, his inclusion underscores the Bible's interest in documenting the spread of humanity across different lands and peoples in the ancient Near East.
Biography
Elishah is mentioned in the genealogy of the nations descended from Noah (Gen.10.4; 1Ch.1.7). He was a son of Javan, who was a son of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons. Elishah and his brothers, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim (or Rodanim), are associated with the coastal regions and islands of the Mediterranean Sea (Gen.10.5). The descendants of Javan are believed to have settled in various parts of Greece and the Aegean Sea. The name Elishah may be associated with Alashiya, an ancient name for Cyprus, or with the region of Elis in Greece. However, the exact location and extent of the territory associated with Elishah are not specified in the Bible.
Family
Parents
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 10:4
"And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites."
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1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:7
"And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֱלִישָׁה |
Elishah
ch the Tyrians obtained their purple dyes. On the ground of this latter statement attempts have been made to identify it with Southern Italy or the north of Africa. Josephus (Ant., I, vi, 1) identified Elisha with the Aeolians. The Targum on Ezekiel gives "the province of Italy." Other suggestions include Hellas, Ells, and Alsa; the last named is a kingdom mentioned in the Tell el-Amarna Letters, but its precise location is unknown. It is impossible as yet to claim certainty for any of these conjectures.
A. C. Grant
(1) Grandfather of Joshua and son of Ammihud; prince of the tribe of Ephraim in the Exodus (Nu 1:10; <ref osisRef="Bible:Num.7.48"