אֵילוֹן בֵּית חָנָן (e.lon bet cha.nan)
e.lon bet cha.nan
Elonbeth-hanan
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase Elonbeth-hanan, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at 1 Kings 4:9, translates to "oak of the house of grace." It identifies a specific location within the territory assigned to the tribe of Dan. The name combines the word for an oak tree with a proper noun meaning "house of grace," creating a unique geographical marker that likely referenced a prominent landmark or local shrine.
Lexical sources note its placement in Dan, though some scholars have debated whether it fell strictly within Judah or Philistine borders due to shifting tribal boundaries. This single occurrence serves as a minor but precise detail in the administrative list of Solomon’s district governors, grounding the biblical narrative in tangible, named places rather than abstract regions.
Its brevity highlights how ancient texts often preserve local names that have since faded from common memory. The reference anchors the story in real geography, reminding readers that the biblical account is set within a specific landscape where natural features like oaks helped define community identity and territorial limits.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Elonbeth-hanan appears only once in Scripture, tucked into a list of administrative districts under King Solomon (1 Kings 4:9). It means "oak of the house of grace" and marks a specific spot in the territory assigned to the tribe of Dan. While it is not a place where a major miracle occurs, its inclusion reminds us that God’s plans unfold in real, tangible locations.
For your faith, this detail offers comfort. The Bible does not ignore ordinary geography or local landmarks; it honors them. When you read about places like Elonbeth-hanan, you are reminded that the sacred history of Israel is grounded in actual soil and trees. God cares about the specific details of our lives, just as He cared enough to record this small corner of ancient Judah.
This verse invites us to see God’s providence in the mundane. Just as Solomon organized his kingdom with precise boundaries, God orders our days with purpose. You can trust that your own "local" experiences and settings are known to Him, even when they seem too small to matter in the grand scheme of things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Elon1×
- Hanan1×
- Beth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָנָֽן\׃\ \ס1×
- וְ/אֵיל֖וֹן1×
- בֵּ֥ית1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 4:9
Ben Deker, in Makaz, in Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan;
This verse lists Elonbeth-hanan as part of the administrative district governed by Ben Deker, showing how this specific landmark helped define the territorial boundaries of Solomon's kingdom.