אֱלִישׁוּעַ (e.li.shu.a)
e.li.shu.a
Elishua
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Elishua appears in the Hebrew Bible as a son of King David, listed among his many children in 2 Samuel 5:15 and 1 Chronicles 3:6. The name itself carries a theophoric element, meaning "God is salvation" or "my God is wealth," reflecting common naming conventions that invoke divine favor during the United Monarchy.
One notable detail in the biblical text is the variation in his name across sources. While 2 Samuel identifies him as Elishua, the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 3:6 lists him as Elishama. This discrepancy highlights how scribes and traditions sometimes preserved different forms of the same personal name, even when referring to the same individual within David’s large family.
As a minor figure, Elishua does not have a narrative role of his own but serves as part of the genealogical record that establishes the lineage of Judah. His inclusion underscores the historical context of David’s reign and the size of his household, offering readers a glimpse into the personal lives of those connected to Israel’s most famous king.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Elishua means God is salvation or my God is wealth. It appears in lists of King David’s children, showing how families in ancient Israel named their sons to reflect trust in divine provision. These records are not just names but reminders that every person has a story and value before God.
Even when details like name variations exist between texts, they highlight the care taken to preserve history. For believers today, this encourages us to see our own lives as part of a larger narrative where God’s faithfulness remains constant across generations.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Elishua2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וֶ/אֱלִישׁ֖וּעַ2×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 5:15
Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
This verse lists Elishua among David's sons, highlighting his place in the royal lineage and the significance of naming practices during this period.
-
I Chronicles 14:5
Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
Here, Elishua is again mentioned alongside other brothers, reinforcing the continuity of David’s family line despite minor textual differences.