474. Elishua

Lexical Summary

Elishua: Elishua

Original Word: אֱלִישׁוּעַ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Eliyshuwa`
Pronunciation: eh-lee-SHOO-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-shoo'-ah)
KJV: Elishua
NASB: Elishua
Word Origin: [from H410 (אֵל - God) and H7769 (שׁוַּע - cry out for help)]

1. God of supplication (or of riches)
2. Elishua, the son of King David

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Elishua

From 'el and shuwa'; God of supplication (or of riches); Elishua, the son of King David -- Elishua.

see HEBREW 'el

see HEBREW shuwa'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from el and yasha
Definition
"God is salvation," a son of David
NASB Translation
Elishua (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֱלִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine (God is salvation, compare אֱלִישָׁע below; or is opulence, compare אֲבִישׁוּעַ) son of David 2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 14:5.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrences

Elishua is listed twice in the Old Testament, both times among the sons born to King David after his capture of Jerusalem.
• 2 Samuel 5:15 records: “Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,” within the catalogue of sons born to David in Jerusalem.
• 1 Chronicles 14:5 parallels this notice: “Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah,” again enumerating the royal offspring born in the City of David.

Family Context within the House of David

1. Son of a covenant king. Elishua belongs to the first generation of Davidic princes born after the ark was brought near and the Davidic covenant was established (2 Samuel 7). His very birth is a testimony to God’s blessing on David’s new capital.
2. Full brother to Solomon. Both narrative lists place Elishua among the sons born to Bath-shua (Bathsheba) (compare 1 Chronicles 3:5). Therefore, he shares parentage with Solomon, placing him in direct proximity to the messianic promise eventually fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:6).
3. Part of a growing dynasty. The Chronicles account emphasizes David’s numerous children in Jerusalem to illustrate the Lord’s promise of “a house” for David (1 Chronicles 17:10). Elishua’s name strengthens the tally that demonstrates God’s faithfulness.

Theological Significance

1. A silent witness to covenant fidelity. Scripture neither records exploits nor failure for Elishua; his role is to stand in the genealogy that proves Yahweh’s commitment to build David “a house.” Each name verifies that the Lord’s word did not fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19).
2. A reminder of grace after sin. David’s earlier children by Bathsheba died in infancy because of David’s sin (2 Samuel 12:14, 18). The later birth of Elishua signals divine forgiveness and restoration, portraying God’s ability to redeem broken circumstances and continue His redemptive plan.
3. Evidence of God-centered identity. The name itself embeds the divine element (“my God is salvation”), echoing the truth that salvation springs from the Lord, a theme culminating in Jesus, the greater Son of David (Luke 1:69).

Messianic Line Considerations

Elishua himself is not listed in the explicit legal lineage leading to Jesus in Matthew or Luke. Yet his presence among Solomon’s brothers sharpens the focus on God’s sovereign election. The Messiah would come through one particular son—Solomon—rather than through Elishua or the others, highlighting divine choice over human precedence.

Legacy in Israelite History

Because no further narrative follows Elishua, his legacy is genealogical rather than personal. Later chroniclers relied on preserved royal archives; Elishua’s inclusion confirms careful historical record-keeping and authenticates the reliability of the biblical text. Archaeologists and historians examining royal succession benefit from his brief but critical appearance as a datable node within the united monarchy.

Practical Reflections for Faith and Ministry

• Confidence in God’s promises: Every seemingly minor name in Scripture underscores the certainty of God’s covenant fidelity; believers today can trust Him for their own futures.
• Value of hidden service: Elishua’s life is unrecorded yet not forgotten by God. Ministry significance is measured less by public renown than by faithfulness within God’s plan.
• Centrality of Christ: Even an obscure Davidic prince ultimately points forward to the greater King. All Bible study and ministry find direction and culmination in Jesus Christ, “the Root and the Offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16).

Forms and Transliterations

וֶאֱלִישׁ֖וּעַ ואלישוע veeliShua we’ĕlîšūa‘ we·’ĕ·lî·šū·a‘

Englishman's Concordance

2 Samuel 5:15
HEB: וְיִבְחָ֥ר וֶאֱלִישׁ֖וּעַ וְנֶ֥פֶג וְיָפִֽיעַ׃
NAS: Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
KJV: Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg,
INT: Ibhar Elishua Nepheg Japhia

1 Chronicles 14:5
HEB: וְיִבְחָ֥ר וֶאֱלִישׁ֖וּעַ וְאֶלְפָּֽלֶט׃
NAS: Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
KJV: And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
INT: Ibhar Elishua Elpelet

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 474
2 Occurrences

we·’ĕ·lî·šū·a‘ — 2 Occ.