Lexical Summary Elienay: Elienai Original Word: אֱלִיעֵינַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elienai Probably contracted for Elyhow'eynay; Elienai, an Israelite -- Elienai. see HEBREW Elyhow'eynay NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably a contr. for Elyoenay Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Elienai (1). Topical Lexicon Genealogical Setting Elienai appears once in Scripture, within the Benjamite genealogy preserved in 1 Chronicles 8: 20. He stands among the sons of Shimei, a descendant of Elpaal, whose line settled the strategic towns of Lod and Ono (1 Chronicles 8: 12). By placing Elienai in this record, the Chronicler—writing for the post-exilic community—confirms that the tribe of Benjamin survived national catastrophe and remained entitled to its heritage after the exile (compare 1 Chronicles 9: 1). Relationship to the House of Saul and Subsequent History Elpaal’s branch lies close to the line of King Saul (1 Chronicles 8: 33). Recording Elienai therefore undergirds the historical continuity from Israel’s first monarchy to later Benjamites, including the Apostle Paul, who identified himself as “a Hebrew of Hebrews; of the tribe of Benjamin” (Philippians 3: 5). The inclusion of unheralded figures such as Elienai quietly validates Paul’s claim and attests that God preserved an identifiable remnant through exile and dispersion. Theological Overtones of the Name Though the entry forbears lexical minutiae, the form of Elienai’s name testifies that God hears and answers. After the disastrous near-extinction of Benjamin in Judges 20 and the later Babylonian captivity, every child born to the tribe could be celebrated as tangible proof of divine response to prayer: “I sought the LORD, and He answered me” (Psalm 34: 4). Thus the mere appearance of the name in the register becomes a proclamation of covenant faithfulness. Narrative Function in Chronicles 1 Chronicles alternates between royal annals and seemingly routine family lists. By weaving Elienai into the account line, the Chronicler highlights that ordinary Israelites were as vital to the restoration as priests and kings. The pattern anticipates New-Testament teaching that “the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12: 22). Elienai’s silent presence therefore stresses that God’s purposes advance through every member of the covenant community. Covenantal and Ministerial Implications • Divine Memory: Elienai illustrates that God records names unknown to history, encouraging believers whose service is hidden (Malachi 3: 16). Redemptive Trajectory Names like Elienai form quiet threads in the tapestry of salvation history, leading ultimately to the climactic “Yes” and “Amen” secured in Christ (2 Corinthians 1: 20). Each otherwise obscure entry in the Chronicles stands as a testimony that the God who answered once continues to answer still. Forms and Transliterations וֶאֱלִיעֵנַ֥י ואליעני veelieNai we’ĕlî‘ênay we·’ĕ·lî·‘ê·nayLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 8:20 HEB: וֶאֱלִיעֵנַ֥י וְצִלְּתַ֖י וֶאֱלִיאֵֽל׃ NAS: Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, KJV: And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, INT: Elienai Zillethai Eliel 1 Occurrence |