Eliphalat
Biblical Identity and Name Variations
Eliphalat appears exclusively in the Greek text of 1 Esdras (8:39; 9:33), which parallels the canonical books of Ezra and Nehemiah. In these corresponding passages in Ezra (8:13; 10:33), the name is rendered as Eliphelet. This variation is typical of names transmitted through different linguistic traditions (Hebrew to Greek) and serves as an example of the minor textual differences between the canonical and deuterocanonical accounts of the post-exilic period.
Role in the Post-Exilic Community
Eliphalat/Eliphelet is identified as one of the "sons of Adonikam" who returned to Judah with Ezra around 458 BC (Ezra 8:13). This journey was part of the second major wave of Jewish repatriation from Babylonian captivity. Later, in the account of dealing with intermarriage with foreign peoples, an Eliphelet is listed among those who had taken foreign wives and pledged to divorce them (Ezra 10:33). It is debated whether this is the same individual or a different person with the same name.
Genealogical Significance
The name Eliphelet (meaning "God is deliverance" or "God is escape") appears multiple times in the Old Testament, primarily within Davidic genealogies. Notably, Eliphelet is listed as a son of King David born in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 14:7). Another Eliphelet is listed among David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34). The recurrence of this name in the returning exiles suggests a conscious preservation of ancestral, specifically Davidic, heritage, reinforcing the community's identity as the legitimate continuation of pre-exilic Israel.
## Historical and Textual Considerations The appearance of Eliphalat in 1 Esdras but not in the Masoretic text of Ezra illustrates the complex textual history of the post-exilic narratives. Scholars examine these variations to understand the transmission and translation processes of biblical texts. The consistent theme across both accounts is the meticulous recording of the families who participated in the restoration, underscoring the importance of lineage and communal integrity in the re-establishment of Judean society.
Biblical Context
The name appears in the post-exilic context of 1 Esdras 8:39 and 9:33, which correspond to Ezra 8:13 and 10:33. In Ezra, Eliphelet is listed among the descendants of Adonikam who returned with Ezra from Babylon (Ezra 8:13) and later among those who had married foreign women and covenanted to send them away (Ezra 10:33). The name also appears in earlier Davidic genealogies and lists of warriors (2 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 3:8; 2 Samuel 23:34).
Theological Significance
Eliphalat/Eliphelet represents the theological theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises across generations. Despite the exile, God preserved a remnant, including individuals from David's line, and restored them to the land. The name's meaning ("God is deliverance") itself is a testament to the core biblical truth of God as the rescuer of His people. His inclusion in the list of those who addressed intermarriage highlights the ongoing struggle for holiness and covenant fidelity within the restored community.
Historical Background
The period of Ezra and Nehemiah (5th century BC) was a time of rebuilding Jewish identity, temple worship, and community law after the Babylonian exile. Extra-biblical sources, like the Elephantine Papyri, confirm the existence of Jewish communities in the Persian diaspora and their correspondence with Jerusalem. The meticulous family lists in Ezra and Nehemiah reflect the Persian imperial practice of recording population groups and their lineages for administrative purposes, as well as the Jewish emphasis on genealogical purity to maintain tribal allotments and priestly lines.