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אֶלְעָשָׂה (el.a.sah)

el.a.sah

Eleasah

H0501 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 6 verses

N:N-M-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
6 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Eleasah means "God has made." It appears six times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Chronicles and Jeremiah, identifying several distinct men across different tribes and eras. The sources distinguish a descendant of Judah, son of Helez; a Benjaminite, son of Rapha and brother to Azel; and a priest in the line of Pashur who took a foreign wife during the post-exilic reforms recorded in Ezra.

One notable figure bearing this name is mentioned in Jeremiah 29:3. He was the son of Shaphan and served as a scribe for King Zedekiah, placing him at the center of Judah’s final political struggles before the Babylonian exile. His inclusion alongside other prominent officials highlights how common this theophoric name was among the administrative and priestly classes during the Divided Monarchy.

The repetition of Eleasah in genealogical lists underscores the importance of lineage in biblical history. Whether tracing the tribe of Judah or the priestly duties of Pashur’s descendants, the name serves as a marker of identity and divine provision within the complex family trees of ancient Israel.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Eleasah carries a simple but profound meaning: "God has made." In the ancient world, names were not just labels but declarations of identity and divine purpose. When we see this name repeated in genealogies, it reminds us that God is actively involved in the continuity of families and the preservation of His people through generations.

Even in times of national crisis, such as the period leading up to the Babylonian exile, individuals bearing this name held significant roles. Eleasah, son of Shaphan, served as a scribe for King Zedekiah, placing him at the center of Judah’s final political struggles. This shows that ordinary people with names reflecting God’s provision were often used in extraordinary circumstances to carry out their duties faithfully.

For us today, this word encourages trust in God’s sovereign hand over our lives and lineage. Just as Eleasah was part of a larger story written by God, our own lives are woven into His broader narrative. We can find comfort knowing that God has made us for such a time as this, using our unique positions to reflect His faithfulness.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Eleasah4×
  • and/ Eleasah2×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • אֶלְעָשָׂ֥ה2×
  • וְ/אֶלְעָשָׂה֙1×
  • וְ/אֶלְעָשָֽׂה\׃\ \ס1×
  • אֶלְעָשָֽׂה\׃1×
  • אֶלְעָשָׂ֣ה1×

Key Verses

  • Jeremiah 29:3
    by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon). It said:

    This verse identifies Eleasah as a scribe in the court of King Zedekiah, highlighting his role in the political and spiritual turmoil preceding the exile.

  • I Chronicles 2:39
    and Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah,

    Here Eleasah is listed as a descendant of Judah through Helez, illustrating the importance of tribal lineage in preserving Israel's history.

  • Ezra 10:22
    Of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

    Eleasah appears among those who took foreign wives during the post-exilic reforms, showing how personal faithfulness was tested after returning from Babylon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Eleasah mean?

Eleasah is a Hebrew name that translates to "God has made" or "God created." It reflects a belief in God’s active role in forming and sustaining life.

Who was Eleasah in the Bible?

The name appears several times, referring to different individuals. Most notably, it identifies a scribe named Eleasah, son of Shaphan, who served King Zedekiah during the final years of Judah before the Babylonian exile.

Why is Eleasah mentioned in genealogies?

Eleasah appears in genealogical lists to trace tribal lineages, particularly from the tribe of Judah and Benjamin. These records were crucial for maintaining identity and inheritance rights among the Israelites.

Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)

I Chronicles 4 verses
I Chronicles 2:39

and Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah,

I Chronicles 2:40

and Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum,

I Chronicles 8:37

Moza became the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

I Chronicles 9:43

Moza became the father of Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

Ezra 1 verse
Jeremiah 1 verse