Lexical Summary Elchanan: Elhanan Original Word: אֶלְחָנָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elkanan From 'el and chanan; God (is) gracious; Elchanan, an Israelite -- Elkanan. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW chanan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom el and chanan Definition "God has been gracious," two of David's leaders NASB Translation Elhanan (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶלְחָנָן proper name, masculine (God has been gracious, compare Phoenician אלחנן, בעלחנן, in Assyrian Ba'al—anunu COT Genesis 10:18) two of David's chiefs 2 Samuel 21:19 = 1 Chronicles 20:5; 2 Samuel 23:24 = 1 Chronicles 11:26. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Theological Significance of the Name Elhanan means “God has been gracious” or “God is gracious.” In the Old Testament narrative this name signals lives distinguished by divine favor and empowerment, highlighting the biblical pattern that military or spiritual victories are ultimately the work of the LORD rather than human ability. Historical Setting: The Philistine Wars of David’s Reign Both men named Elhanan appear in accounts that fall within the prolonged struggle between Israel and the Philistines during the reign of David (approximately 1010–970 BC). These episodes occur after David’s consolidation of the monarchy and demonstrate how the LORD continued to raise up courageous warriors to secure Israel’s borders and vindicate His covenant promises to Abraham and David. Elhanan Son of Dodo of Bethlehem (2 Samuel 23:24; 1 Chronicles 11:26) • Listed among “the Thirty,” the elite strike force surrounding David. Elhanan Son of Jaare-Oregim (Jair) of Bethlehem (2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5) • Celebrated for striking down a gigantic Philistine warrior: – “Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite” (2 Samuel 21:19). – The parallel account clarifies that the slain giant was “Lahmi the brother of Goliath” (1 Chronicles 20:5). Harmonizing the Giant-Slaying Accounts Scripture presents no contradiction: 1. Chronicles explicitly identifies the Philistine as Goliath’s brother, Lahmi, providing the fuller detail. Character Qualities Exemplified • Courage: Both Elhanans faced formidable foes, embodying the exhortation “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6). Christological and Redemptive Threads The Bethlehem connection anticipates the ultimate Bethlehemite, Jesus Christ. As Elhanan prefigures a warrior who overthrows giant opposition, so the Messiah crushes the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15) and triumphs over principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). Elhanan’s name—“God is gracious”—finds fullest expression in the gospel, where grace triumphs through Christ’s victory on the cross. Applications for the Contemporary Church 1. Confidence in Scripture: The complementary Samuel and Chronicles passages encourage believers to read the whole canon for accurate understanding. Summary Elhanan, in both of his Old Testament manifestations, represents the gracious empowerment of God that turns ordinary men into instruments of extraordinary deliverance. His legacy calls every generation to trust the Lord of hosts, serve faithfully in the sphere assigned, and stand firm in the battles that advance God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations אֶלְחָנָ֣ן אֶלְחָנָ֥ן אֶלְחָנָן֩ אלחנן ’el·ḥā·nān ’elḥānān elchaNanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 21:19 HEB: פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיַּ֡ךְ אֶלְחָנָן֩ בֶּן־ יַעְרֵ֨י NAS: at Gob, and Elhanan the son KJV: with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son INT: the Philistines killed and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim 2 Samuel 23:24 1 Chronicles 11:26 1 Chronicles 20:5 4 Occurrences |
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