אֱלִישָׁמָע

אֱלִישָׁמָע

Elishama, the name of seven Israelites

Definition

Elishama is a Hebrew personal name meaning 'God of hearing' or 'God has heard.' It is borne by seven distinct individuals in the Old Testament, most notably a prince of the tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 1:10, 7:48) and a son of King David (2 Samuel 5:16). The name signifies a theological affirmation, acknowledging God as the one who listens and responds. While the core meaning remains consistent, the individuals range from tribal leaders and royal sons to a scribe (Jeremiah 36:12) and a royal assassin (2 Kings 25:25), showing the name's use across different social roles.

Biblical Usage

The name Elishama appears 17 times, primarily in the books of Numbers (7 times), 2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, and 1-2 Chronicles. It is used for specific historical figures, often in genealogical, military, or administrative lists. In Numbers, it identifies the Ephraimite leader during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 2:18, 10:22). Later, it appears in the Davidic royal lineage (2 Samuel 5:16) and in the court of King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:12). Its final appearance is for a member of the royal family involved in Gedaliah's assassination (2 Kings 25:25).

Etymology

The name is a compound of two Hebrew elements: 'El' (H410, אֵל), meaning 'God,' and 'shama' (H8085, שָׁמַע), meaning 'to hear.' It is a theophoric name, common in Israelite culture, which incorporates a divine name or title. The construction can be understood as 'God has heard' (a perfect verb form) or as a descriptor, 'God of hearing.' It is related to names like Samuel (heard by God) and Ishmael (God hears).

Semantic Range

As a theophoric name, Elishama serves as a constant reminder of a core biblical truth: God is personal and attentive to His people. It embodies the prayerful hope and lived experience that God listens to human cries, a theme central to the Psalms and the narratives of the patriarchs. Understanding its meaning enriches reading by turning a simple name into a statement of faith, highlighting the Israelite practice of embedding theological convictions into personal identity. In ancient Israel, names were not merely labels but carried meaning and often expressed a parent's faith, a circumstance of birth, or a characteristic of God. The popularity of 'El' names reflects the centrality of God in Israelite identity. Giving a child a name like Elishama was an act of devotion and a public declaration that the family's story was intertwined with the actions of a God who hears. Samuel (Shemu'el, H8050) — Also means 'heard by God' or 'name of God,' but with a different verbal focus. Ishmael (Yishma'el, H3458) — Means 'God hears,' sharing the second root but with a different subject-object relationship.

Word Details