Elkanah
“God has possessed, or God has created”
Summary
Most notably, the father of Samuel the prophet, a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim who faithfully worshiped at Shiloh; also the name of several other Levites and officials.
☩Father of Samuel
The most notable Elkanah was a Levite who lived in Ramathaim-zophim (Ramah) in the hill country of Ephraim. He had two wives: Hannah, whom he loved deeply but who was barren, and Peninnah, who had children. Each year Elkanah faithfully traveled to Shiloh to sacrifice at the tabernacle, taking his family with him. When Hannah's distress over her barrenness moved her to fervent prayer, Eli the priest pronounced a blessing, and she conceived Samuel. Elkanah supported Hannah's vow to dedicate the child to the Lord, and together they brought the young Samuel to Shiloh with a costly offering of three bulls. His wealth is indicated by the generous offerings and portions he distributed to his family.
☩Other Bearers
Several other Levites bore this name. One Elkanah was a son or grandson of Korah, whose children survived when Korah died in rebellion. The name appears multiple times in the Levitical genealogies of 1 Chronicles 6. A Korhite named Elkanah joined David at Ziklag and may have served as a doorkeeper for the ark. Another Elkanah was an officer 'next to the king' in Ahaz's court, slain by the Ephraimite warrior Zichri during Pekah's invasion of Judah.
Related Verses20 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Elkanah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Elkanah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Elkanah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).