אֶלְנָ֑עַם (el.na.am)
el.na.am
Elnaam
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Elnaam, meaning “God is delight” or “God is pleasantness,” appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:46. It identifies a man from the era of the divided monarchy who served as the father of two of King David’s mighty warriors, Jeribai and Joshaviah.
As a personal name, it reflects a common Israelite pattern of embedding theological affirmation into daily life. By naming his children with references to God’s character, Elnaam participated in a tradition where identity was rooted in divine favor rather than human achievement. The brevity of the record highlights how ordinary families contributed to the broader narrative of Israel’s military and spiritual history.
Though no further details about Elnaam’s life are preserved, his name endures as a reminder that faithfulness often operates through lineage and legacy. The sources confirm that this brief mention serves primarily to document the genealogical connections within David’s inner circle, anchoring the heroes’ origins in a household dedicated to God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Elnaam carries a gentle meaning: "God is delight." In 1 Chronicles 11:46, this brief mention connects a father to two of King David’s mighty warriors. This single line shows how ordinary families shaped Israel’s history. Faithfulness often lives in the quiet roots of lineage rather than the spotlight of public deeds.
When we consider our own lives, we might look for grand gestures or famous achievements. Yet Scripture reminds us that honoring God through daily faithfulness matters deeply. Your presence in a family, a community, or a workplace contributes to a larger story you may never fully see. Trust that your steady devotion is seen and valued by the One who calls Himself our delight.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Elnaam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֶלְנָ֑עַם1×
Key Verses
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I Chronicles 11:46
Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
This verse identifies Elnaam as the father of Jeribai and Joshaviah, anchoring his legacy in the lineage of David's mighty men.