Eliam
“God is my people, or God is my kinsman”
Summary
The father of Bathsheba, and possibly also one of David's thirty mighty men who was a son of Ahithophel the Gilonite.
☩Father of Bathsheba
Eliam was the father of Bathsheba, whom David took as his wife after the death of Uriah the Hittite. In 1 Chronicles 3:5, both father and daughter have altered names—Eliam appears as Ammiel (the same elements reversed) and Bathsheba as Bathshua. The name Eliam means 'God is [his] people' or 'God is my kinsman.'
☩Son of Ahithophel
An Eliam who was the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite appears among David's thirty mighty warriors. The ancient Jewish tradition preserved by Jerome holds that these two Eliams are the same person. If so, this would make Ahithophel Bathsheba's grandfather, and his defection to Absalom's rebellion might be partly explained by resentment over David's treatment of his granddaughter and the murder of her husband. However, others suggest Ahithophel might rather have been proud of the royal alliance.
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Eliam," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Eliam," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).