Lexical Summary Eliqa: Eliqa Original Word: אֱלִיקא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elika From 'el and qow'; God of rejection; Elika, an Israelite -- Elika. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW qow' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom el and qi Definition "God of rejection," one of David's heroes NASB Translation Elika (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱלִיקָא proper name, masculine (? not in ᵐ5, 1 Chronicles 11:27 Dr) one of David's heroes 2 Samuel 23:25. Topical Lexicon Occurrence in Scripture Elika appears a single time in the Old Testament within the roster of David’s heroes: “Shammah the Harodite; Elika the Harodite” (2 Samuel 23:25). The Chronicles parallel uses a slightly different spelling, but the individual is the same figure among “the Thirty,” the elite corps who stood closest to King David. Historical Setting The list of mighty men in 2 Samuel 23 preserves names drawn from decades of military campaigns—first in David’s wilderness years, then during the consolidation of his kingdom. These warriors were forged in conflict against Philistine forces (1 Samuel 23; 2 Samuel 5) and various internal rebellions (2 Samuel 15–18). Elika therefore belongs to the generation that witnessed Israel’s transition from tribal confederacy to united monarchy under a covenantal king. Family and Tribal Connections Elika is identified as “the Harodite,” placing him among soldiers connected with the region of Harod in the Jezreel Valley (Judges 7:1). The designation links him to a northern locale that had strategic significance along Israel’s central military corridor. Though Scripture offers no direct genealogy, the shared epithet with Shammah the Harodite (2 Samuel 23:25) suggests either kinship or a common hometown. In David’s band, such local loyalties were willingly subordinated to the larger purpose of the kingdom. Service among David’s Mighty Men “The Thirty” served as David’s personal guard and field commanders (2 Samuel 23:13–23). While three of them gained special renown, the larger group—including Elika—formed the backbone of David’s tactical leadership. Their exploits secured borders, subdued Philistine strongholds, and protected the anointed king during times of crisis. Elika’s reputation, sealed in the inspired record, underscores that every name in the body of Christ holds lasting honor even when individual deeds are unrecorded. Spiritual Themes 1. Covenant Loyalty: Elika’s inclusion testifies to steadfast allegiance to the Lord’s chosen king, prefiguring covenant faithfulness to the greater Son of David (Luke 1:32–33). Christological and Ecclesiological Insights As David’s mighty men rallied around the anointed king, so believers rally around Jesus Christ, “the Root and the Offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16). Elika’s quiet fidelity typifies the hidden yet essential service of many saints in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:22). The permanence of his name in Scripture foreshadows the “new name” promised to overcomers (Revelation 2:17). Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Faithfulness Where God Places You: Elika served in the demanding yet often unnoticed rank of “the Thirty.” Modern disciples likewise honor the Lord through steadfast service in roles that may never be publicized. See Also 2 Samuel 23:8–39; 1 Chronicles 11:10–47; Psalm 89:20–29. Forms and Transliterations אֱלִיקָ֖א אליקא ’ĕ·lî·qā ’ĕlîqā eliKaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 23:25 HEB: שַׁמָּה֙ הַֽחֲרֹדִ֔י אֱלִיקָ֖א הַחֲרֹדִֽי׃ ס NAS: the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, KJV: the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, INT: Shammah the Harodite Elika the Harodite 1 Occurrence |
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