Lexical Summary Eltolad: Eltolad Original Word: אֶלְתּוֹלַד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eltolad Probably from 'el and a masculine form of towldah (compare Towlad); God (is) generator; Eltolad, a place in Palestine -- Eltolad. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW towldah see HEBREW Towlad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom el and yalad Definition "God is generator," a city in S. Judah NASB Translation Eltolad (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶלְתּוֺלַד proper name, of a location (compare תּוֺלַד below ילד) city in southern Judah Joshua 15:30; Joshua 19:4; compare also תּוֺלָ֑ד (q. v.) 1 Chronicles 4:29. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Eltolad suggests the idea of God bringing forth or giving birth, an etymology that highlights the Lord’s sovereignty over both creation and covenant history. Though terse in Scripture, the name quietly underscores the divine initiative behind Israel’s establishment in the land. Geographical Setting Located in the southern reaches of Canaan, Eltolad belonged to the Negev—a semi-arid expanse south of the hill country of Judah. Its neighboring sites form a north-to-south string of settlements (Chesil, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazor Shual, and others) that guarded caravan routes linking the hill country with the wilderness of Zin and the approaches to Egypt. Modern proposals place it near Tell Khirbet el-Tuwalid or within the drainage of Wadi es-Sebāʿ, though definitive identification awaits further excavation. Biblical References 1. Joshua 15:30 lists Eltolad among the towns “as far as Baalath-beer and Ramah of the Negev.” Historical Context Joshua’s first catalogue (Joshua 15) records Judah’s inheritance immediately after the conquest. The second catalogue (Joshua 19) shows that Judah’s southern allotment proved more than the tribe could cultivate, allowing Simeon to share in cities “set in the midst of Judah’s territory.” The two lists, therefore, trace a peaceful intratribal redistribution of land—an early witness to cooperative life under the covenant. Tribal Allotment and Administrative Changes • Initially Judahite (Joshua 15:30). Spiritual and Ministry Lessons • God notices the “little places.” Though Scripture grants Eltolad only two verses, its inclusion testifies that every community, however small, has a role in the unfolding redemptive story. Archaeological and Scholarly Notes Archaeologists have found Iron Age pottery and domestic architecture in multiple Negev tells that fit the size and period of Eltolad. Although none has been conclusively labeled, the clustering of similar sites confirms the book of Joshua’s depiction of a network of small agrarian outposts functioning as both ranch settlements and watch stations along trade arteries. Prophetic and Theological Connections The meaning of the name (“God brings forth”) foreshadows prophetic assurances that the Lord will yet “bring forth righteousness” in Zion (Isaiah 62:1). In New Testament reflection, the theme culminates in the incarnation, where in Bethlehem—also a Judahite town of modest fame—God literally brings forth the Messiah (Luke 2:6-7). Key Themes for Preaching and Teaching 1. Divine attention to detail: every believer and every congregation counts. Forms and Transliterations וְאֶלְתּוֹלַ֥ד ואלתולד veeltoLad wə’eltōwlaḏ wə·’el·tō·w·laḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:30 HEB: וְאֶלְתּוֹלַ֥ד וּכְסִ֖יל וְחָרְמָֽה׃ NAS: and Eltolad and Chesil and Hormah, KJV: And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah, INT: and Eltolad and Chesil and Hormah Joshua 19:4 2 Occurrences |
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