Who was Elishama in the Bible?

Elishama was a man from the tribe of Judah, specifically recorded as a descendant of Jerahmeel in the genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 2:41). His mention primarily serves to trace the lineage of Judah's family.

Why is Elishama mentioned in the Bible?

Elishama is mentioned to establish the detailed genealogy of the tribe of Judah, showing God's faithfulness to His promises through specific family lines. His inclusion helps document the historical record of King David's ancestry.

Are there any stories about Elishama in the Bible?

No, there are no narrative stories or key events recorded about Elishama's life. His appearance is strictly genealogical, found only in the family lists of 1 Chronicles chapter 2.

Elishama

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon of jekamiah

Elishama was a descendant of Jerahmeel from the tribe of Judah (1Ch.2.41).

Elishama

Biography

Elishama was a descendant of Jerahmeel from the tribe of Judah, listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:41. He was the son of Jekamiah, placing him within the sprawling genealogy of the Judahite clan of Jerahmeel, one of the extended family lines preserved in the Chronicler's careful record. While no narrative events are associated with this Elishama, his preservation in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 2 is part of the broader Chronicler's project of tracing the lineage of Judah, the tribe from which the Davidic dynasty and ultimately the Messiah would come. The Jerahmeelites were a recognized clan within southern Judah, connected to the broader Israelite tribal system and occasionally referenced in the narratives of David's early career (1 Sam 27:10).

Significance

Elishama's listing in the Jerahmeelite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 2 exemplifies the Chronicler's theological conviction that the identity and continuity of God's covenant people must be preserved through careful genealogical memory. The tribe of Judah held special prominence in the Chronicler's narrative because of its connection to the Davidic covenant and the messianic promise. Every name in Judah's genealogical record, including Elishama's, is therefore part of the larger story of God's preservation of the covenant line. His inclusion also illustrates that divine faithfulness is expressed not only through great heroes but through ordinary family members who maintained their tribal identity across generations.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:41

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources