Original Word: אֱלִיפֶלֶט
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Eliyphelet
Pronunciation: eh-lee-FEH-let
Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-feh'-let)
KJV: Eliphalet, Eliphelet, Elpalet
NASB: Eliphelet, Elpelet
Word Origin: [from H410 (אֵל - God) and H6405 (פַּלֵּט - cast them forth)]

1. God of deliverance
2. Eliphelet or Elpelet, the name of six Israelites

Eliphalet, Eliphelet, Elpalet

Or (shortened) Elpelet {el-peh'-let}; from 'el and pallet; God of deliverance; Eliphelet or Elpelet, the name of six Israelites -- Eliphalet, Eliphelet, Elpalet.

see HEBREW 'el

see HEBREW pallet

Word Origin
from el and pallet
Definition
"God is deliverance," the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Eliphelet (8), Elpelet (1).

אֱלִיפֶ֫לֶט (פָֿ֑לֶט 2 Samuel 5:16 +) proper name, masculine (God is deliverance, compare מַּלְטִיאֵל)

a. son of David 2 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 3:6,8; 1 Chronicles 14:7; = אֶלְמָּ֑לֶט 1 Chronicles 14:5.

b. one of David's heroes 2 Samuel 23:34 (compare also אֱלִיפָל 1 Chronicles 11:35).

c. a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:39.

d. one of the line of Adonikam Ezra 8:13.

e. of the line of Hashum Ezra 10:33.

Name Overview

Eliphelet (“God is deliverance”) appears nine times in the Old Testament as the name of at least five distinct individuals. Each appearance is tied to themes of covenant preservation, military valor, and post-exilic fidelity, reflecting the diverse ways God secures His purposes through people of every generation.

Occurrences in Scripture

2 Samuel 5:16; 2 Samuel 23:34

1 Chronicles 3:6; 1 Chronicles 3:8; 1 Chronicles 8:39; 1 Chronicles 14:5; 1 Chronicles 14:7

Ezra 8:13; Ezra 10:33

Eliphelet: Sons of King David

1. The name is borne by two of David’s sons, listed in the Jerusalem birth-record (2 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 3:8; 1 Chronicles 14:5,7). The dual listing most likely reflects a first child who died young and a later son given the same name, a common ancient Near Eastern practice that underscores parental hope in the face of loss.
2. As members of David’s household, the Eliphelets share in the covenant promise God made to David that “your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me” (2 Samuel 7:16). Their inclusion in the royal genealogy attests the meticulous care with which Scripture preserves the Davidic line—crucial for tracing the messianic hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Eliphelet the Mighty Warrior

2 Samuel 23:34 places another Eliphelet among “the Thirty,” the elite corps surrounding David. The text names him “the son of Ahasbai the Maacathite.” Standing alongside men such as Benaiah and Abishai, this Eliphelet exemplifies courageous loyalty to God’s anointed king. His presence among the mighty men showcases the Lord’s pattern of raising diverse allies to defend the throne through which He would advance redemptive history.

Eliphelet among the Benjamites

1 Chronicles 8:39 lists an Eliphelet in the genealogy of King Saul’s tribe, Benjamin. The Chronicler’s post-exilic readership would have heard in this list God’s call to every tribe to participate afresh in covenant life after returning from exile. The Benjamite Eliphelet stands as evidence that even those once hostile to David’s line (cf. Saul) are woven into the unified people of God.

Eliphelet and the Restoration Community

Ezra 8:13 records an Eliphelet among 650 men of Adonikam’s lineage who journeyed from Babylon to Jerusalem with Ezra. Their decision to leave settled lives in Persia for the rigors of resettlement testifies to faith in God’s promises.

Ezra 10:33 later names an Eliphelet who had taken a foreign wife. Under Ezra’s leadership he participated in repentance and covenant renewal: “They pledged to put away their wives, and being guilty, they presented a ram of the flock for their guilt” (Ezra 10:19 background). His obedience illustrates the serious pursuit of holiness required for national restoration.

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Covenant Continuity: From monarchy to exile and return, men named Eliphelet surface at strategic junctures, bearing witness that “the counsel of the LORD stands forever” (Psalm 33:11).
2. Diverse Service: Whether prince, warrior, tribal descendant, or humble returnee, each Eliphelet contributes uniquely to God’s unfolding plan, reminding believers that significance is measured by faithfulness, not social status.
3. Repentance and Renewal: The post-exilic Eliphelet models heartfelt repentance that safeguards community purity—a timeless call for the church to maintain doctrinal and moral fidelity.

Lessons for the Contemporary Church

• God remembers individuals. The briefest appearance in Scripture means a life known to God and woven into His redemptive tapestry.
• Names may repeat, but callings differ. Like the several Eliphelets, believers today share one Lord yet manifest varied gifts and assignments.
• Covenant faith requires courage, purity, and perseverance across generations. Whether defending the king, guarding genealogies, or reforming worship, each Eliphelet urges Christians to serve Christ the true Son of David with whole-hearted devotion.

אֱלִיפֶ֔לֶט אֱלִיפֶ֖לֶט אֱלִיפֶ֥לֶט אליפלט וְאֶלְפָּֽלֶט׃ וֶֽאֱלִיפֶ֖לֶט וֶאֱלִיפֶ֖לֶט וֶאֱלִיפָֽלֶט׃ ואליפלט ואליפלט׃ ואלפלט׃ ’ĕ·lî·p̄e·leṭ ’ĕlîp̄eleṭ eliFelet veeliFalet veeliFelet veelPalet we’ĕlîp̄āleṭ we’ĕlîp̄eleṭ wə’elpāleṭ we·’ĕ·lî·p̄ā·leṭ we·’ĕ·lî·p̄e·leṭ wə·’el·pā·leṭInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts