Lexical Summary Eylam: Elam Original Word: עֵילָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elam Or mowlam (Ezra 10:2; Jeremiah 49:36) {o-lawm'}; probably from alam; hidden, i.e. Distant; Elam, a son of Shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites -- Elam. see HEBREW alam Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עֵילָם proper name, of a people et. terr. Elam, Αιλαμ, Ἐλαμεῖραι, well-known country and people northeast of Lower Tigris (Assyrian Elamtu DlPa 320 ff. COTGenesis 10:22); — as early invaders of Palestine Genesis 14:1,9, allies of Assyr. Isaiah 22:6; foe of Babylon Isaiah 21:2; abode of dispersed Israelites Isaiah 11:11; prophesied against Jeremiah 49:34,35,36 (twice in verse) (Qr, Kt עולם), Jeremiah 49:37; Jeremiah 49:38; Jeremiah 49:39; Ezekiel 32:24, compare ׳כָּלמַֿלְכֵי ע Jeremiah 25:25; called 'son' of Shem Genesis 10:22 (P) = 1 Chronicles 1:17; purely local designation הַמְּדִינָה ׳ע Daniel 8:2. II. עֵילָם proper name, masculine Ηλαμ, Αιλαμ: 1 heads of families of returned exiles: a. Ezra 2:7 = Nehemiah 7:12. b. Ezra 2:31 = Nehemiah 7:34. c. Ezra 8:7; Ezra 10:2 (Qr; Kt עולם), Ezra 10:26. 2. a chief of people Nehemiah 10:15. 3 name in Benjamin 1 Chronicles 8:24. 4 Levite name 1 Chronicles 26:3. 5 a priest Nehemiah 12:42. Topical Lexicon Identity and Range of Reference עֵילָם (Elam) functions in Scripture as (1) the firstborn son of Shem, (2) a distinct nation east of Babylon, and (3) the name of several Israelite individuals or clans. Approximately twenty-eight Old Testament occurrences trace the word from early Genesis through the post-exilic period. Genealogical Foundations Elam is listed among the sons of Shem (Genesis 10:22). His line settled east of Mesopotamia, becoming a recognizable kingdom by the time of Abram. Chedorlaomer, “king of Elam,” led the coalition defeated by Abram (Genesis 14:1-17), demonstrating both kinship and conflict between Elam and the covenant line. Geographical and Political Setting The region of Elam (later Susiana, now southwestern Iran) centered on Susa. In Daniel 8:2 the prophet sees his vision “in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam.” Isaiah 21:2 links Elam with Media, and Isaiah 22:6 portrays Elamite archers supporting Babylon. Jeremiah’s lifetime still recognized Elam as a separate realm (Jeremiah 49:34). Prophetic Oracles Isaiah 11:11 includes Elam among lands from which God will regather His dispersed people. Isaiah 21:2 commands, “Go up, Elam! Lay siege, O Media!” announcing Babylon’s fall, whereas Isaiah 22:6 pictures Elam once more under Babylon’s banner. Jeremiah devotes a full oracle to Elam (Jeremiah 49:34-39). The Lord promises to “break the bow of Elam” (verse 35), scatter its people (verse 36), terrify its kings (verse 37), yet finally “restore Elam from captivity” (verse 39). Ezekiel 32:24 laments Elam among nations judged in Sheol. Elam in Post-exilic Israel Two large family groups of “the descendants of Elam” return with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:7, 31; Nehemiah 7:12, 34). Jeshaiah of Elam accompanies Ezra (Ezra 8:7). Members of the clan seal Nehemiah’s covenant (Nehemiah 10:14) and take part in the wall’s dedication (Nehemiah 12:42). Their presence testifies that God preserves remnants even from distant lineages to rebuild His house. Individual Israelites Named Elam A Benjamite (1 Chronicles 8:24) and a Korhite gatekeeper under David (1 Chronicles 26:3) bear the name, indicating the esteem in which the patriarch was held among Israelites. Theological and Missional Reflections • Kinship does not guarantee covenant loyalty; Shem’s son can oppose Abram. Key References Genesis 10:22; 14:1, 9 1 Chronicles 8:24; 26:3 Ezra 2:7, 31; 8:7 Nehemiah 7:12, 34; 10:14; 12:42 Isaiah 11:11; 21:2; 22:6 Jeremiah 25:25; 49:34-39 Forms and Transliterations בְּעֵילָ֑ם בְּעֵילָ֣ם בעילם וְעֵילָ֖ם וְעֵילָ֣ם וְעֵילָם֙ וּמֵעֵילָ֤ם ומעילם ועילם עֵ֠ילָם עֵילָ֑ם עֵילָ֔ם עֵילָ֖ם עֵילָ֗ם עֵילָ֜ם עֵילָ֣ם עֵילָ֤ם עֵילָ֥ם עֵילָֽם׃ עֵילָם֙ עילם עילם׃ ‘ê·lām ‘êlām bə‘êlām bə·‘ê·lām beeiLam eiLam Eilom ū·mê·‘ê·lām ūmê‘êlām umeeiLam veeiLam wə‘êlām wə·‘ê·lāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:22 HEB: בְּנֵ֥י שֵׁ֖ם עֵילָ֣ם וְאַשּׁ֑וּר וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד NAS: of Shem [were] Elam and Asshur KJV: of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, INT: the sons of Shem Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad Genesis 14:1 Genesis 14:9 1 Chronicles 1:17 1 Chronicles 8:24 1 Chronicles 26:3 Ezra 2:7 Ezra 2:31 Ezra 8:7 Ezra 10:2 Ezra 10:26 Nehemiah 7:12 Nehemiah 7:34 Nehemiah 10:14 Nehemiah 12:42 Isaiah 11:11 Isaiah 21:2 Isaiah 22:6 Jeremiah 25:25 Jeremiah 49:34 Jeremiah 49:35 Jeremiah 49:36 Jeremiah 49:36 Jeremiah 49:37 Jeremiah 49:38 28 Occurrences |
    |