עִילַי (i.lay)
i.lay
Ilai
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 עִילַי (Ilai) is a proper noun meaning "exalted." It appears in Scripture as the personal name of an Ahohite warrior, one of King David’s elite fighting men. The sources identify him as a significant figure during the United Monarchy, specifically listed among David’s mighty heroes.
Ilai is notable for being an alternate name for another warrior known as Zalmon (H6756). This dual identification appears in parallel accounts: he is called Ilai in 2 Samuel 23:28 and Zalmon in 1 Chronicles 11:29. This variation highlights how different biblical traditions sometimes preserved distinct names for the same historical individual, offering a glimpse into the diverse records that shaped the Old Testament narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ilai means "exalted," a fitting title for one of King David’s elite warriors. In the ancient world, names often carried hopes or character traits, and this one points to someone who stood out in strength and loyalty. He is remembered not for grand speeches, but for his steadfast presence among David’s mighty men.
What makes Ilai especially interesting is that he appears under a different name, Zalmon, in another biblical record. This shows how the Bible preserves multiple perspectives on the same people. It reminds us that God uses many voices to tell His story, and every contributor matters, even those whose names vary across texts.
For your faith, this detail invites humility and curiosity. You do not need to have every name perfectly aligned to trust the Scripture’s reliability. Instead, you can find comfort in knowing that God remembers each person who serves Him faithfully, regardless of how history records them.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ilai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עִילַ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 11:29
Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
This verse lists Ilai as an Ahohite warrior, preserving his name in the chronicler’s account of David’s heroes.