Eleph
הָאֶלֶף/EE-lef/
“The ox (suggesting pastoral occupation)”
Summary
A town in the territory of Benjamin, located near Jerusalem, whose name suggests pastoral occupation.
☩Location
Eleph was one of the towns allotted to Benjamin, listed between Zelah and Jerusalem in the second group of Benjamite cities. The name means 'ox,' suggesting the inhabitants followed pastoral life. Some have identified it with Lifta, a village west of Jerusalem, though this identification remains uncertain. The Septuagint combines the preceding name Zelah with Eleph into a single compound form, while other ancient versions treat them separately.
Key verses:Joshua 18:28
Related Verses1 mention
Joshua· 1 verse
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Eleph," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Eleph," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Eleph," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).