Original Word: אֵלָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name
Transliteration: Elah
Pronunciation: ay-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ay-law')
KJV: Elah
NASB: Elah
Word Origin: [the same as H424 (אֵלָה - oak)]

1. Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Israel

Elah

The same as 'elah; Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine -- Elah.

see HEBREW 'elah

Word Origin
from elah
Definition
"terebinth," an Isr. name, also an Edomite name
NASB Translation
Elah (13).

II. אֵלָה proper name, masculine (terebinth, compare Genesis 49:21 below I. אֵלָה)

1 a chief of Edom Genesis 36:41 = 1 Chronicles 1:52 (= אֵילַת proper name, of a location ? see Di).

2 son of Baasha; reigned two years in Israel 1 Kings 16:6,8,13,14.

3 father of Hoshea who was last king of Isr. 2 Kings 15:30; 2 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 18:1,9.

4 a son of Caleb 1 Chronicles 4:15 (twice in verse).

5 a son of Uzzi 1 Chronicles 9:8.

Overview

אֵלָה (Elah) occurs sixteen times in the Hebrew Scriptures as a personal or geographical name. It designates five distinct individuals and one notable location. Though the root behind the word can also denote the terebinth or oak, the inspired writers employ the form in these passages strictly as a name, setting before the reader a series of lessons on leadership, covenant identity, and divine sovereignty.

1. Elah the Edomite Chief

Genesis 36:41 and its parallel in 1 Chronicles 1:52 list Elah among the chiefs descended from Esau. His appearance in Edom’s clan lists underscores how the Lord kept meticulous record of every nation that sprang from Abraham, whether covenantal (Israel) or not (Edom). The mention functions as a reminder that God’s providence encompasses even those outside the chosen line, preparing the stage for later prophetic oracles concerning Edom (for example, Obadiah).

2. Elah the King of Israel (Son of Baasha)

1 Kings 16:6–14 recounts the short and tragic reign of Elah, son of Baasha, over the northern kingdom:

“In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king over Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.” (1 Kings 16:8)

Elah’s drunkenness and complacency invited the conspiracy of Zimri, who assassinated him and wiped out the entire house of Baasha in fulfillment of Jehu’s earlier prophecy (1 Kings 16:1–4, 9–12). His life illustrates the certainty of divine judgment on idolatrous leadership and provides a sobering counterpart to the stability promised in the Davidic covenant.

3. Elah, Father of Hoshea (Last King of Israel)

2 Kings 15:30; 17:1; 18:1, 9 identify Elah as the father of Hoshea, the final ruler of the northern kingdom before the Assyrian exile:

“In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years.” (2 Kings 17:1)

Although Scripture supplies no additional biography for this Elah, his name is forever linked to the kingdom’s collapse. The contrast between the downfall of Hoshea son of Elah and the preservation of the Davidic line in Judah highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises amid human failure.

4. Elah, Descendant of Caleb

1 Chronicles 4:15 twice names Elah among the sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh, the faithful spy. His son is Kenaz, a name later borne by Othniel, Israel’s first judge (Judges 3:9). The placement ties the name Elah to Judah’s heritage of faith and valor. Whereas other bearers of the name illustrate apostasy, this Elah is set within a lineage that produced examples of courage and covenant loyalty.

5. Elah the Benjaminite after the Exile

1 Chronicles 9:8 notes “Elah son of Uzzi, son of Michri” dwelling in Jerusalem after the return from Babylon. His inclusion among the heads of Benjamin demonstrates the Lord’s restorative grace, bringing His people back to the land and re-establishing tribal identities that seemed lost during exile.

6. The Valley of Elah

1 Samuel 17:2, 19 marks the Valley of Elah as the battleground where David triumphed over Goliath:

“Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and lined up in battle formation to face the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 17:2)

This valley—bordering the Philistine plain and Judah’s hill country—served as the theater for God’s demonstration that “the battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47). Centuries later, the name still evoked courage and divine deliverance (cf. 1 Samuel 21:10, as David again passes into Philistine territory).

Historical and Theological Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations: The Edomite and Israelite occurrences show that God governs pagan and covenant peoples alike, raising up and casting down according to His righteous purposes.
2. Faithfulness versus Apostasy: The two royal lines tied to the name—Baasha’s house and Hoshea’s family—both end in judgment, whereas the Calebite branch anticipates blessing. The name thereby forms a narrative thread contrasting obedience with rebellion.
3. Salvation through a Representative: The Valley of Elah episode foreshadows the greater victory achieved by Christ, the true Anointed One who defeats the enemy on behalf of His people.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Leadership requires vigilance and sobriety; Elah son of Baasha fell because he “was in Tirzah, getting drunk” (1 Kings 16:9).
• God’s promises stand firm despite national upheaval. Even as Hoshea son of Elah witnessed the kingdom’s demise, the prophetic word concerning Messiah continued unabated.
• Spiritual battles are won by reliance on the Lord, not on human strength, as David’s triumph in the Valley of Elah testifies.

Summary

The sixteen appearances of אֵלָה weave together genealogies, royal histories, and pivotal events to display the Lord’s comprehensive rule and redemptive intent. From an obscure Edomite chief to the bloody intrigues of Israel’s palace, from a post-exilic settler to a shepherd-king facing a giant, every mention of Elah invites readers to trust the God who records each name, guides each narrative, and secures ultimate victory for His people.

אֵלָ֖ה אֵלָ֗ה אֵלָ֣ה אֵלָ֥ה אֵלָ֧ה אֵלָ֨ה אלה הָֽאֵלָ֑ה הָאֵלָ֑ה הָאֵלָ֗ה האלה וְאֵלָ֥ה ואלה ’ê·lāh ’êlāh eLah hā’êlāh hā·’ê·lāh haeLah veeLah wə’êlāh wə·’ê·lāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts