Elishah
“Uncertain; possibly connected to Hellas or Elis”
Summary
The eldest son of Javan (son of Japheth), whose descendants occupied Mediterranean islands or coastlands and supplied purple and blue dyes to the Phoenicians.
☩Identity and Location
Elishah was the eldest of the four sons of Javan, grandson of Japheth. His descendants are described as inhabiting 'the isles (or coastlands) of Elishah,' from which the Phoenicians obtained their purple and blue dyes. Since Javan is generally identified with the Ionian Greeks, Elishah likely represents a related Greek people. Josephus identified them with the Aeolians, whose name bears some similarity (Aioleis possibly derived from Aileis). Others connect the name with Elis in the Peloponnesus, or more broadly with Hellas (Greece). The purple dye connection particularly suits the Peloponnesus, where the purple-producing shellfish was caught at the mouth of the Eurotas and the purple of Laconia was celebrated.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Elishah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Elishah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Elishah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).