Lexical Summary Elon Beth Chanan: Elon Beth Hanan Original Word: אֵילוֹן בֵּית חָנָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elon-beth-hanan From 'Eylown, bayith, and chanan; oak-grove of (the) house of favor; Elon of Beth-chanan, a place in Palestine -- Elon-beth-hanan. see HEBREW 'Eylown see HEBREW bayith see HEBREW chanan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Elon, bayith and chanan Definition "terebinth of (the) house of favor," a place in Dan NASB Translation Elonbeth-hanan (1). Topical Lexicon Elon Beth HananGeographical Setting An Israelite settlement in the Shephelah lowlands, most plausibly near the Aijalon Valley and the border of Judah and Dan. Its association with Makaz, Shaalbim, and Beth Shemesh suggests a location southwest of modern Jerusalem on a fertile, strategically situated corridor linking the coast to the hill country. Historical Context Appears once, in King Solomon’s administrative roster: “Ben-deker—in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan” (1 Kings 4:9). The verse falls inside a catalog (1 Kings 4:7-19) of twelve district governors tasked to supply the royal court monthly, reflecting the ordered prosperity of Solomon’s united monarchy. Administrative and Economic Role The town helped provision the palace for one month each year. Its region’s grain, wine, and olive oil production, along with herds pastured in the lowlands, would have furnished the quantities listed in 1 Kings 4:22-23. The inclusion of a relatively obscure place underscores the breadth of resources harnessed for national worship, governance, and building projects. Relations with Neighboring Centers Grouped with Beth Shemesh—a Levitical city guarding a Philistine frontier—and Shaalbim—a site tied to earlier tribal conflicts (Judges 1:35)—Elon Beth Hanan occupied a militarily and economically cooperative network. This triad shows a balance of priestly, defensive, and agrarian functions within Solomon’s district system. Spiritual and Theological Dimensions • Covenant Order: The district model fulfilled Deuteronomic ideals of just administration under the king’s authority. Archaeological and Scholarly Notes No excavation has verified the site. Proposals center on ruins at Khirbet Beit Hanun or nearby tells in the Aijalon corridor, where Iron-Age pottery, terrace walls, and ancient road traces align with the biblical context. Ongoing survey work may yet confirm its precise coordinates. Contemporary Ministry Application Elon Beth Hanan illustrates how every community, however small or briefly mentioned, can serve the broader mission of God’s people. Modern congregations likewise contribute through faithful stewardship, cooperation, and obedience within the order God establishes. Key Reference Forms and Transliterations חָנָֽן׃ חנן׃ chaNan ḥā·nān ḥānānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 4:9 HEB: וְאֵיל֖וֹן בֵּ֥ית חָנָֽן׃ ס NAS: and Beth-shemesh and Elonbeth-hanan; KJV: and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan: INT: and Shaalbim and Beth-shemesh and Elonbeth-hanan |
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