Lexical Summary Eliphal: Eliphal Original Word: אֱלִיפָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eliphal From 'el and palal; God of judgment; Eliphal, an Israelite -- Eliphal. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW palal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom el and palal Definition "God has judged," one of David's heroes NASB Translation Eliphal (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱלִיפָל proper name, masculine (God has judged) one of David's heroes 1 Chronicles 11:35 (but see אֱלִיפֶלֶט 2 Samuel 23:34). Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Eliphal unites the divine title El with a root that conveys judgment or deliverance, pointing to the LORD as the One who vindicates and rescues His people. Biblical Occurrence and Context The single mention appears in 1 Chronicles 11:35 within the roster of David’s mighty men: 1 Chronicles 11:35 — “Ahiam son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur.” Placed immediately after David’s coronation and the conquest of Jerusalem, the list emphasizes the human instruments God used to consolidate the united kingdom. Historical Setting Eliphal served during David’s rise in the tenth century B.C., when Israel was transitioning from tribal confederation to centralized monarchy. The mighty men (gibborim) formed an elite cadre whose exploits—such as daring raids behind Philistine lines—secured the kingdom’s borders and the king’s life. Family Connection Identified as “son of Ur,” Eliphal is rooted in Israel’s lineage-based memory. Chronicles heightens this familial focus, reminding readers that covenant faithfulness is passed through households and clans. Service in David’s Army Although Scripture records no individual deed for Eliphal, membership in the elite group implies extraordinary courage, skill, and loyalty. The Chronicler’s listing, paralleling 2 Samuel 23, underscores that even unnamed feats were essential to David’s success. Relation to Textual Variants The Samuel parallel (2 Samuel 23:34) reads “Eliphelet son of Ahasbai,” reflecting normal ancient textual variation. Such differences complement rather than conflict, demonstrating multiple streams of reliable tradition while affirming the historicity of David’s warriors. Theological and Devotional Significance • God’s Provision: Eliphal’s inclusion shows that God raises both famed and obscure servants to fulfill His purposes (Psalm 75:6-7). Christological Reflection David’s champions prefigure the followers of the greater Son of David. As Eliphal shielded an earthly king, believers today contend for the cause of Christ, confident that the God who judges and delivers has secured ultimate victory through the cross and empty tomb. Application for Today Names like Eliphal teach the enduring value of faithful, often unnoticed service. The church thrives not only through public figures but through countless members whose steadfast obedience is recorded in heaven, strengthening the advance of the gospel until the King returns. Forms and Transliterations אֱלִיפַ֥ל אליפל ’ĕ·lî·p̄al ’ĕlîp̄al eliFalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 11:35 HEB: שָׂכָ֛ר הַהֲרָרִ֖י אֱלִיפַ֥ל בֶּן־ אֽוּר׃ NAS: the Hararite, Eliphal the son KJV: the Hararite, Eliphal the son INT: of Sacar the Hararite Eliphal the son of Ur 1 Occurrence |
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