Who was Elah in the Bible?

Elah was a minor figure in the Old Testament, recorded as a son of Caleb and the father of Kenaz (1 Chronicles 4:15). He was part of the tribe of Judah and his lineage connects the prominent leader Caleb to later generations.

Why is Elah mentioned in the Bible?

Elah's significance lies primarily in his genealogical role, connecting important figures in the tribe of Judah. His mention in 1 Chronicles 4:15 helps establish the family line from Caleb, a faithful spy, through to his descendants.

What do we know about Elah's life?

The Bible provides no details about key events in Elah's life. His entire biblical record consists of his name listed in a genealogy, identifying his father (Caleb) and his son (Kenaz).

Elah

Old TestamentMaleSonFather

Elah was a son of Caleb and the father of Kenaz.

Elah

Biography

This Elah appears in the genealogical records of Judah as a son of Caleb and the father of Kenaz, recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:15. The name Elah (Hebrew: אֵלָה) means 'oak' or 'terebinth,' a tree associated with strength and longevity in the ancient Near East. Caleb, his father, was the celebrated spy who along with Joshua gave a faithful report of Canaan and was promised an inheritance in the Promised Land (Numbers 14:24). Through Elah, the line of Caleb continued into subsequent generations, with his son Kenaz carrying forward the legacy of this important Judahite clan. Elah himself is not described performing any notable deeds; he exists in Scripture as a vital link in the genealogical chain connecting Caleb's faithfulness to the broader story of Judah's tribal heritage.

Significance

Elah's position in Caleb's lineage underscores the enduring importance of faithful ancestry in Israel's tribal structure. Caleb was a man of singular devotion to God, and the preservation of his descendants' names in 1 Chronicles affirms that God honors the legacy of the faithful across generations. Elah stands as a reminder that not every participant in redemptive history performs dramatic acts, many serve simply by faithfully occupying their place in the chain of continuity. His son Kenaz would carry this heritage forward, and the Kenizzite clan would remain part of Judah's inheritance in Canaan, illustrating how generational faithfulness shapes the people of God.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:15

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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