Who was Eliphelet in the Bible?

Eliphelet was a descendant of King Saul from the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 8:39. He was the son of Eshek and part of Saul's extended family line.

Why is Eliphelet mentioned in the Bible?

Eliphelet's mention in 1 Chronicles 8:39 serves to document the lineage of King Saul and the tribe of Benjamin after Saul's death. His inclusion helps establish the continuity of Saul's family, showing that his line continued despite his downfall.

Are there multiple people named Eliphelet in the Bible?

Yes, the name Eliphelet appears for several different men in the Old Testament, including a son of David (2 Samuel 5:16) and a warrior (2 Samuel 23:34). The Eliphelet in 1 Chronicles 8:39 is a distinct figure, a descendant of Saul.

Eliphelet

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKing

Eliphelet was a descendant of King Saul from the tribe of Benjamin (1Ch.8.39).

Eliphelet

Biography

Eliphelet was a descendant of King Saul through the tribe of Benjamin, listed in the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 8:39. He appears as a son of Eshek, who was a brother of Azel, himself a descendant of Jonathan, Saul's son. Eliphelet had two brothers, Jeush and Ishmael, with whom he is listed as part of the continuing Saulide lineage in the post-monarchic period. While no specific deeds or events are attributed to Eliphelet in the biblical text, his inclusion in the Benjaminite genealogy of Chronicles demonstrates that the Chronicler was concerned to preserve the continuity of Saul's family line long after the collapse of his dynasty. This genealogical notice places him during the period of the divided or post-united monarchy.

Significance

Eliphelet's presence in the Saulide genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8 reflects the Chronicler's broader theological concern with the continuity of Israel's tribes and the preservation of ancestral memory. Though Saul's dynasty was rejected by God in favor of David's, the careful recording of his descendants signals that individual families and lineages retained their identity and dignity within Israel. Eliphelet's name, meaning 'God is deliverance,' is itself theologically resonant. His listing demonstrates that God's redemptive purposes encompass entire communities and generations, not merely celebrated figures, and that the biblical narrative values the faithful preservation of those who carried on family identity across centuries.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherDavid

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 8:39

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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