Lexical Summary Elyhow'eynay: Elyhoenai Original Word: אֶלְיְהוֹעֵינַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elihoenai, Elionai Or (shortened) yelyow{eynay {el- yo-ay-nah'ee}; from 'el and Yhovah and ayin; towards Jehovah (are) my eyes; Eljehoenai or Eljoenai, the name of seven Israelites -- Elihoenai, Elionai. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW Yhovah see HEBREW ayin Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶלְיְהוֺעֵינַי proper name, masculine (unto ׳י are mine eyes) 1 a Korahite 1 Chronicles 26:3. 2 a returning exile Ezra 8:4. אֶלְיוֺעֵינַי proper name, masculine (id.) 1 a descendant of David 1 Chronicles 3:23,24. 2 a Simeonite אֶלְיוֺעֵנַי 1 Chronicles 4:36. 3 a Benjamite (id.) 1 Chronicles 7:8. 4 priests in time of Ezra (a) Ezra 10:22; (b) Ezra 10:27 (אֶלְיוֺעֵנַי); (c) Nehemiah 12:41. Topical Lexicon Name and Variants The form appearing in English versions is usually Elioenai, but the same consonants are also vocalized as Eliehoenai or Elyhoenai. All nine occurrences point to the same basic idea—a life lived “toward Yahweh,” an outlook reflected in the diverse roles the bearers assume across Israel’s history. Occurrences in Scripture 1 Chronicles 3:23; 3:24; 4:36; 7:8; 26:3 Ezra 8:4; 10:22; 10:27 Within the Davidic Line (1 Chronicles 3:23-24) In the carefully preserved record of David’s royal descendants, Elioenai stands one generation after the exile. “The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam—three in all” (1 Chronicles 3:23). He in turn fathers seven sons (3:24). By naming him, the Chronicler confirms that the promise to David survived the Babylonian captivity; the line remains intact and traceable, ultimately finding its fulfillment in the Messiah. Tribal Leadership before the Exile (1 Chronicles 4:36; 7:8) • Simeon: Elioenai joins six other chiefs who “entered the hill country of Seir” in search of pasture (1 Chronicles 4:36-42). Their expedition secures new territory and safeguards covenant inheritance, exemplifying enterprise guided by faith. Temple Service (1 Chronicles 26:3) Gatekeepers guarded the entrances to the sanctuary, protecting holiness and facilitating worship. Meshelemiah’s third son is Elioenai, placed in a rota that “served in the house of the LORD” (26:12). His presence in Levitical duty aligns the name with reverence, vigilance, and orderly worship. Leaders of the Return (Ezra 8:4) Ezra identifies Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah as commander of two hundred men from the family of Pahath-Moab. His willingness to leave Babylon and brave the trek to Jerusalem demonstrates faith in God’s promises and a desire to restore true worship in the land. Repentance and Reform (Ezra 10:22, 27) Two different men named Elioenai appear among those who had taken foreign wives. Their inclusion in the list of confessors shows responsiveness to prophetic correction. Putting away unlawful marriages protected the community’s spiritual purity and reaffirmed covenant loyalty. Participation in Covenant Celebration (Nehemiah 12:41) At the dedication of Jerusalem’s rebuilt wall, priests with trumpets accompany the procession. Elioenai’s name is sounded alongside fellow priests, signifying restored worship and joy in God’s faithfulness: “Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah with their trumpets” (Nehemiah 12:41). Theological Reflections 1. Divine Oversight: The meaning of the name resonates with passages such as “The eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Each bearer, whether in royal lineage, tribal exploits, temple gates, or reform movements, illustrates life conducted under God’s watchful care. Practical Applications • Heritage: God preserves His promises across generations; believers may trust His meticulous providence even through exile-like trials. The recurring appearance of Elioenai across varied settings weaves a unifying message: hearts and eyes fixed on the LORD will find their place in His unfolding redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations אֶלְיְהֽוֹעֵינַ֖י אֶלְיְהוֹעֵינַ֖י אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֗י אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֛י אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֤י אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֧י אֶלְיוֹעֵנַ֤י אליהועיני אליועיני אליועני וְאֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֡י וְאֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֤י ואליועיני ’el·yə·hō·w·‘ê·nay ’el·yō·w·‘ê·nay ’elyəhōw‘ênay ’elyōw‘ênay elyehoeiNai elyoeiNai elyoeNai veelyoeiNai wə’elyōw‘ênay wə·’el·yō·w·‘ê·nayLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 3:23 HEB: וּבֶן־ נְעַרְיָ֗ה אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֧י וְחִזְקִיָּ֛ה וְעַזְרִיקָ֖ם NAS: of Neariah [were] Elioenai, Hizkiah KJV: of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, INT: the sons of Neariah Elioenai Hizkiah and Azrikam 1 Chronicles 3:24 1 Chronicles 4:36 1 Chronicles 7:8 1 Chronicles 26:3 Ezra 8:4 Ezra 10:22 Ezra 10:27 Nehemiah 12:41 9 Occurrences |
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