Who was Elishua in the Bible?

Elishua, also called Elishama, was a son of King David, born to him in Jerusalem after he became king (2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 3:6). He was one of David's many children, listed among those born from his wives in the capital city.

What is the significance of Elishua?

Elishua's primary significance is his lineage as a direct son of King David, placing him within the royal dynasty. His mention in the genealogical records (1 Chronicles 3:5-9) helps establish the continuity of David's family line, which is crucial for biblical history and the lineage of Christ.

Are Elishua and Elishama the same person?

Yes, based on parallel biblical accounts, Elishua and Elishama refer to the same son of David. The name appears as Elishua in 2 Samuel 5:15 and 1 Chronicles 14:5, but as Elishama in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 3:6, likely due to a scribal variation or different source.

Elishua

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon

Elishua, also known as Elishama, was a son of David born to him in Jerusalem (2Sa.5.15; 1Ch.14.5; 3.6).

Elishua

Biography

Elishua was a son of David born in Jerusalem, listed among the children David fathered after becoming king over all Israel (2 Sam 5:15; 1 Chr 14:5). The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 3:6 records the name as Elishama, suggesting that Elishua and Elishama in the David lists may refer to the same individual, a textual variation possibly arising from scribal transmission or the use of alternate forms of the name. His name, meaning 'my God is salvation,' reflects the theological piety common in royal naming practices during the Davidic era. Like other Jerusalem-born sons of David, Elishua plays no individual role in the biblical narrative beyond his genealogical listing, yet his birth reflects the flourishing of the royal household during the height of David's reign.

Significance

Elishua's listing among the sons of David born in Jerusalem places him within the visible fulfillment of God's promises to establish David's house in the holy city. The variation between his name (Elishua in Samuel; Elishama in Chronicles) has long interested scholars as a case study in textual transmission, illustrating the complexities of preserving royal genealogies across different scribal traditions. Theologically, the accumulation of sons born to David in Jerusalem represented the dynastic abundance God had promised, setting the stage for the eventual Solomonic succession and the unbroken chain of Davidic kings. Elishua's very name: 'my God is salvation', anticipates the ultimate purpose of the Davidic line in pointing toward the messianic salvation to come.

Verse Appearances (3)

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 5:15

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 14:5 1 Chronicles 3:6

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]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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