Who was Elkanah in the Bible?

Elkanah was a Levite from the tribe of Levi, known primarily as the father of the prophet Samuel. He is listed in the genealogical records in 1 Chronicles 6:25, 36, establishing his priestly lineage.

Why is Elkanah significant?

Elkanah's significance lies in his role as the father of Samuel, one of Israel's greatest prophets and judges. His faithful annual worship at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:3) provided the context for Samuel's birth and dedication to God's service.

What is the story of Elkanah and his family?

The main narrative involving Elkanah is in 1 Samuel 1, which details his two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. He shows kindness to his barren wife, Hannah, whose prayers for a son result in the birth of Samuel, whom she dedicates to the Lord.

Elkanah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLevite

Elkanah was a Levite ancestor of Samuel mentioned in the genealogies (1Ch.6.25,36).

Elkanah

Biography

This Elkanah appears in the extended Levitical genealogies of 1 Chronicles 6:25 and 6:36, identified as a Levite ancestor in the lineage leading toward Samuel the prophet. The Chronicles genealogies trace the musical and priestly family lines with deliberate care, and Elkanah is included in the Kohathite line as a forefather whose descendants would include figures of great spiritual significance to Israel. While he is not associated with any specific narrative episode, his inclusion in the sacred genealogies of Levi's tribe marks him as a link in the chain of faithful Levitical families through whom God preserved his covenant community and prepared the way for Samuel, whose ministry would reshape Israel's history at the dawn of the monarchy.

Significance

Elkanah's presence in the Levitical genealogy of 1 Chronicles 6 reflects the Chronicler's theological conviction that God works through generations of faithful, often unnamed ancestors to accomplish his redemptive purposes. The long chains of names in biblical genealogies are not merely historical records but theological statements: each generation faithfully transmitted the covenant heritage to the next. This Elkanah's position in the line that produced Samuel highlights how God's preparation for his great servants spans generations of quiet, faithful living. His legacy is not his own renown but the son of his lineage who would anoint Israel's kings and speak for God at a pivotal historical moment.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 6:25 1Chr 6:36

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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