Elkanah אֶלְקָנָה
The father of the prophet Samuel.
Who is Elkanah in the Bible?
Elkanah was an Ephraimite from Ramathaim-zophim who served as the father of the prophet Samuel and husband to both Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1-4). A devout man, he regularly traveled to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord, and he showed deep love and compassion for his barren wife Hannah despite her inability to bear children (1 Samuel 1:3, 1:8). When Hannah vowed to dedicate her son to the Lord's service if granted a child, Elkanah supported her completely, bringing the young Samuel to the tabernacle to serve under the priest Eli (1 Samuel 1:21-28). His faithful obedience and spiritual leadership made him instrumental in establishing the conditions for Samuel's birth and service as one of Israel's greatest prophets and judges (1 Samuel 2:20).
Biography
Elkanah, an Ephraimite from Ramathaim-zophim, was the father of the prophet Samuel and the husband of Hannah and Peninnah (1Sa.1.1,4). He was a devout man who regularly went to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at Shiloh (1Sa.1.3). Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. While Peninnah had children, Hannah was barren (1Sa.1.2). Despite Hannah's inability to bear children, Elkanah loved her deeply and tried to comfort her (1Sa.1.8). Hannah prayed fervently for a child and vowed to dedicate him to the Lord's service (1Sa.1.11). After the birth of Samuel, Elkanah supported Hannah in fulfilling her vow and brought the child to serve in the tabernacle under Eli the priest (1Sa.1.21-28). Elkanah continued to worship at Shiloh and received a blessing from Eli for his devotion (1Sa.2.20). He is also mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites as an ancestor of Samuel and his sons (1Ch.6.27,34). Elkanah's story highlights his faithfulness, love for his family, and support for Hannah's dedication of Samuel to the Lord's service.
Family
Parents
Partners
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Samuel 5 verses
- 1 Samuel 1:1
"Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite."
- 1 Samuel 1:4
"And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters."
- 1 Samuel 1:8
"“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”"
- 1 Samuel 1:19
"The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her."
- 1 Samuel 1:21
"Then Elkanah and all his house went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,"
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:27
"Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son."
- 1 Chronicles 6:34
"the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶלְקָנָה |