Lexical Summary Elihu: Elihu Original Word: אֱלִיהוּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elihu Or (fully) deliyhuwh {el-ee-hoo'}; from 'el and huw'; God of him; Elihu, the name of one of Job's friends, and of three Israelites -- Elihu. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW huw' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom el and hu Definition "He is (my) God," five Isr. NASB Translation Elihu (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱלִיהוּ Job 32:4 3t.; אֱלִיהוּא Job 32:2 6t.; proper name, masculine (He is (my) God) a. the young friend of Job Job 32:2,4,5,6; Job 34:1; Job 35:1; Job 36:1. b. an Ephraimite, Samuel's great-grandfather 1 Samuel 1:1 compare אֱלִיאָב 1 Chronicles 6:12, אֱלִיאֵל v.1 Chronicles 6:19. c. chief of Manasseh 1 Chronicles 12:20. d. a Korahite 1 Chronicles 26:7. e. one of the brethren of David 1 Chronicles 27:18 (compare אֱלִיאָב 1 Samuel 16:6). Topical Lexicon Name and Significance Elihu means “My God is He,” a confession of allegiance to the covenant LORD that resonates through each biblical bearer of the name. Across Israel’s history the name is attached to men who serve, speak, or stand for God in pivotal moments, thereby illustrating how divine faithfulness calls forth responsive faith in successive generations. Occurrences and Historical Figures 1. Samuel’s Lineage – 1 Samuel 1:1 Elihu is listed in Samuel’s genealogy as the grandson of Zuph and father of Tohu, making him the great-grandfather of the prophet. His inclusion situates Samuel’s priest-prophetic ministry within a lineage marked by devotion to God, reinforcing that Samuel’s calling was rooted in a heritage of covenant loyalty. 2. Defectors to David – 1 Chronicles 12:21 During David’s outlaw years, “Elihu, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphites” are named among those who turned from Saul to David at Ziklag. Their transfer of allegiance anticipates the messianic kingship, exemplifying discernment that recognized God’s anointed despite political uncertainty. 3. Levitical Gatekeeper – 1 Chronicles 26:7 A descendant of Obed-edom, Elihu is enumerated among the gatekeepers of the temple. Gatekeepers guarded access to holy space, so Elihu’s role underscores reverence for God’s presence and the safeguarding of worship purity. 4. Tribal Commander over Judah – 1 Chronicles 27:18 “Over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David”. Serving as royal deputy for Judah in David’s administrative roster, this Elihu—probably Eliah, David’s oldest brother (1 Samuel 16:6; 1 Chronicles 2:13)—models familial support for God’s chosen king and stable governance grounded in covenant law. 5. Elihu the Buzite – Job 32 – 37 (6 occurrences) a. Identity: “Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite of the family of Ram” (Job 32:2). b. Ministry Setting: Arrives after Job’s three friends fall silent. Though young, he burns with holy anger at the friends’ failure to justify God and at Job’s self-vindication. c. Message: Elihu’s speeches stress divine justice and sovereignty, culminating in the declaration, “The Almighty—we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power and justice, and abundant in righteousness; He does not oppress” (Job 37:23). d. Role in the Narrative: Elihu prepares the way for the LORD’s whirlwind appearance by refocusing the discussion from human speculation to God’s transcendence, bridging flawed human counsel and divine revelation. Theological Themes • Covenant Fidelity: Whether in Samuel’s ancestry or David’s administration, each Elihu stands within structures God established—family, monarchy, temple—demonstrating that steadfastness to God permeates all spheres of life. Practical and Christological Implications Elihu’s name and actions call modern readers to place unwavering confidence in “My God is He,” especially when interpreting providence, suffering, or leadership transitions. His arguments in Job anticipate the fuller revelation of God’s justice and mercy at the cross, where divine sovereignty and righteousness meet in redemptive grace. In every appearance, Elihu testifies that authentic ministry—whether guarding gates, governing tribes, or giving prophetic counsel—flows from acknowledging and defending the character of the living God. Forms and Transliterations אֱלִיה֖וּ אֱלִיה֖וּא אֱלִיה֗וּ אֱלִיה֗וּא אֱלִיה֛וּא אֱלִיה֣וּא אליהו אליהוא וֶֽאֱלִיה֗וּ וֶאֱלִיה֖וּא ואליהו ואליהוא ’ĕ·lî·hū ’ĕlîhū eliHu veeliHu we’ĕlîhū we·’ĕ·lî·hūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 1:1 HEB: יְרֹחָ֧ם בֶּן־ אֱלִיה֛וּא בֶּן־ תֹּ֥חוּ NAS: the son of Elihu, the son KJV: the son of Elihu, the son INT: of Jeroham the son of Elihu the son of Tohu 1 Chronicles 12:21 1 Chronicles 26:7 1 Chronicles 27:18 Job 32:2 Job 32:4 Job 32:5 Job 32:6 Job 34:1 Job 35:1 Job 36:1 11 Occurrences |
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