Who was Elioenai in the Bible?

Elioenai was a leader from the tribe of Simeon during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. He is listed among the Simeonite chiefs in a genealogy (1 Chronicles 4:36).

Why is Elioenai mentioned in 1 Chronicles?

He is mentioned to document the lineage and leadership of the tribe of Simeon. His inclusion shows the tribe's presence and structure during a time of national reform under the godly King Hezekiah.

What did Elioenai do in the Bible?

The Bible does not record specific events of his life. His significance comes from his position as a named leader, which helps trace the history and continuity of the Israelite tribes during the late monarchic period.

Elioenai

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeader

Elioenai was a Simeonite leader during the reign of King Hezekiah (1Ch.4.36).

Elioenai

Biography

Elioenai was a Simeonite clan leader who lived during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:36). He is listed among the tribal chieftains who led a successful military expedition to the valley of Gedor, displacing the indigenous Hamite population and finding rich pastureland for their flocks (1 Chronicles 4:39-41). This expansion occurred during Hezekiah's reign and reflects the broader revitalization of the kingdom under his reforming leadership. As a tribal leader, Elioenai would have been responsible for the welfare and organization of his extended clan, making strategic decisions about land and resources. His participation in this territorial expansion demonstrates the active engagement of tribal leadership in securing the livelihood of their communities.

Significance

Elioenai's role in the Simeonite expansion during Hezekiah's reign illustrates how tribal leadership functioned within the framework of Israel's covenant identity. The Simeonites' search for new territory and their success in finding it during the reign of a godly king suggests a connection between national faithfulness and material blessing, a recurring theme in Chronicles. Elioenai's leadership in this episode demonstrates that even the smallest or most peripheral tribes within Israel had a legitimate place in God's covenant purposes. His story encourages the understanding that faithful leadership at every level of community life contributes to the flourishing of God's people.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherNeariahChildHodaiahChildEliashibChildPelaiahChildAkkubChildJohananChildDalaiahChildAnani

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:36

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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