אֶלְזָבָד
Elzabad, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Elzabad is a Hebrew proper name meaning 'God has bestowed' or 'God has given.' It is borne by two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is a Gadite warrior, one of David's mighty men who joined him at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:12). The second is a Levitical gatekeeper, a son of Shemaiah, who served in the temple (1 Chronicles 26:7). In both cases, the name reflects the theological idea of a divine gift or endowment.
Biblical Usage
The name Elzabad appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of 1 Chronicles. It is used exclusively for male Israelites. In 1 Chronicles 12:12, it identifies a valiant fighter from the tribe of Gad. In 1 Chronicles 26:7, it identifies a member of the Levitical family of gatekeepers, indicating a religious and administrative role. The usage shows the name was given in different tribes (Gad and Levi) and for men in both military and temple service.
Etymology
Elzabad (אֶלְזָבָד) is a compound name derived from two Hebrew elements: 'El' (אֵל, H410), meaning 'God,' and the verb 'zabad' (זָבַד, H2064), meaning 'to give' or 'to bestow.' It is a theophoric name, a common practice in Israelite culture, where a divine name ('El') is combined with a verb or noun to form a personal name that expresses a theological statement about God's character or action.
Semantic Range
As a theophoric name, Elzabad serves as a constant reminder of God's nature as a generous giver. It underscores the biblical theme that individuals, their roles, and their abilities are gifts from God (James 1:17). For the Bible reader, understanding the name's meaning ('God has bestowed') enriches the narrative by highlighting that the warrior's strength (1 Chronicles 12:12) and the gatekeeper's sacred duty (1 Chronicles 26:7) were understood as endowments from the Lord.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were deeply significant and often descriptive of character, circumstance, or a parent's hopes. The name Elzabad fits the common pattern of names beginning with 'El-' or '-iah,' which directly invoke the deity. It reflects a cultural and religious worldview where identity was intimately connected to one's relationship with God, and a child's name could be a declaration of faith in God's provision.
Eliab (ʼEliyʼab, H446) — 'My God is Father'; another theophoric 'El-' name, but emphasizing God's paternal role rather than His giving. Nathaniel (Nĕthanʼel, H5417) — 'God has given'; a synonym in meaning ('given by God'), but using the divine name 'El' with a different verbal root (nathan).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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