Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ELAH

(Heb. ʾēlâ)

1. One of the 11 chiefs of Esau/Edom (Gen. 36:41; 1 Chr. 1:52). The biblical texts indicate that the references probably represent a place within the territory of Edom, possibly near ʿAqaba.

2. The fourth king of Israel and son of Baasha, who ruled in Tirzah ca. 877-876 b.c.e. (1 Kgs. 16:6, 8-14). He was assassinated by Zimri, a high-ranking military officer, in an apparent military coup. Zimri executed his plot while Elah was drunk in the house of one of his palace officials. This occurred while the Israelite army was engaged in battle against the Philistine town of Gibbethon and Tirzah was relatively unprotected.

Zimri proceeded to exterminate the male family members and friends of Baasha-Elah, fulfilling the prophecy of Jehu ben Hanani that the Lord’s punishment would fall upon Baasha’s house (1 Kgs. 16:1-4). Elah is especially condemned for participation in idolatry.

3. The father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel (2 Kgs. 15:30; 17:1; 18:1, 9).

4. One of the three sons of Caleb ben Jephunneh (1 Chr. 4:15). He fathered one son, Kenaz. Elah here may instead refer to a place (cf. Gen. 36:41).

5. A Benjaminite who returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian Captivity (1 Chr. 9:8). The name refers to a family living in Jerusalem during the postexilic period (but cf. Neh. 11 where the name is omitted).

Stephen Von Wyrick

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ELAH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)