Lexical Summary Eluzay: Eluzai Original Word: אֶלְעוּזַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eluzai From 'el and uwz (in the sense of oz); God (is) defensive; Eluzai, an Israelite -- Eluzai. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW uwz see HEBREW oz NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom el and uz Definition "God is my strength," one of David's heroes NASB Translation Eluzai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶלְעוּזַי proper name, masculine (God is my strength = אֶלְעֻזּי, compare עֻזּיאֵל, Sabean אלעךת (אלעז) DHMZMG 1883, 15) one of the heroes of David 1 Chronicles 12:5. Topical Lexicon Meaning of the Name Eluzai blends the divine title “El” with a Hebrew root denoting strength, so the name proclaims that the LORD Himself is the source of the man’s might. This theological assertion harmonizes with the larger Davidic narrative, in which true power is never merely human but derived from God’s covenant faithfulness. Historical Setting Eluzai appears during David’s wilderness years, when the future king had taken refuge in Philistine-controlled Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:5-7). Saul still sat on Israel’s throne, yet men from every tribe were discerning that “the LORD had established David as king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:12). 1 Chronicles 12 catalogs these early supporters; their presence validated David’s legitimacy long before his coronation. Association with the Benjamite Warriors Eluzai is listed among the Benjamites, Saul’s own kinsmen, who defected to David: “Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite” (1 Chronicles 12:6). The inclusion of Benjamites is striking. Loyalty to Saul might have seemed natural, yet these men transferred allegiance to the shepherd-king God had chosen. Their action foreshadowed the eventual unification of all Israel under David (1 Chronicles 12:38-40). Contribution to David’s Early Army Chronicles emphasizes that the Ziklag band were “mighty warriors, trained for battle, experts with shield and spear” (1 Chronicles 12:8). Although Eluzai’s individual exploits are not detailed, his name resides among battle-hardened soldiers whose skill and courage strengthened David at a moment of severe vulnerability. The small company later expanded into a formidable host (1 Chronicles 12:22), demonstrating how God often begins with a faithful remnant. Faith and Allegiance By joining David, Eluzai embraced risk: he abandoned the security of Saul’s regime, potentially inviting royal reprisal (1 Samuel 22:7-8). His choice testifies that faith sometimes demands breaking with familiar structures to follow the LORD’s revealed purpose. In so doing, Eluzai embodied the confession implicit in his name—relying on God’s strength rather than human institutions. Ministry Insights 1. Discernment of God’s Anointed: Eluzai’s decision encourages believers to recognize and support leaders whom God has raised up, even before their public enthronement. Foreshadowing of the Messianic Kingdom David’s band of loyal followers anticipates the gathering of disciples around Jesus Christ, the greater Son of David. Just as Eluzai joined David in obscurity, so Christ’s followers are called to take up the cross before the world acknowledges His royal glory (Luke 9:23-26). Eluzai’s cameo in redemptive history therefore echoes the larger biblical theme of humble allegiance preceding exaltation. Legacy in the Canon Though mentioned only once, Eluzai contributes to the Chronicler’s portrayal of a unified, Spirit-formed kingdom. His presence among the “mighty men” affirms that every obedient servant—however briefly named—advances God’s larger narrative, culminating in the eternal reign of the true King. Forms and Transliterations אֶלְעוּזַ֤י אלעוזי ’el‘ūzay ’el·‘ū·zay eluZaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 12:6 HEB: אֶלְעוּזַ֤י וִירִימוֹת֙ וּבְעַלְיָ֣ה INT: Eluzai Jermoth Bealiah 1 Occurrence |
    |