Difference between revisions of "Elah"

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== Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_50940" /> ==
== Fausset's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_35276" /> ==
<p> <strong> [[Elah]] </strong> (‘terebinth’). [[A]] valley in the Shephçlah, the scene of the battle between David and [[Goliath]] (&nbsp; 1 Samuel 17:21 :9). It is most likely the modern <em> [[Wady]] es-Sunt </em> , which, rising in the mountains about Jeba, about 11 miles due [[S.W.]] of Jerusalem, runs westward, under various names, till it opens on the Maritime Plain at <em> Tell es-Safi </em> . In the middle of the valley is a watercourse which runs in winter only; the bottom is full of small stones such as David might have selected for his sling. </p> <p> [[R.]] [[A.]] [[S.]] Macalister. </p>
<p> '''1.''' Baasha's son and successor on the [[Israelite]] throne (&nbsp;1 Kings 16:8-10); reigned little more than a year. A beacon to warn drunkards, killed by the captain of half his chariots, Zimri, while "drinking himself drunk" in the house of his steward [[Arza]] in Tirzah. [[Josephus]] (Ant. 8:12, section 4) says it occurred while his army and officers were absent at the siege of Gibbethon. As [[Baasha]] conspired against his master Nadab, so [[Zimri]] against Baasha's son; Zimri in his turn was slain by Omri. Thus retributive justice pays transgressors in kind. </p> <p> '''2.''' Father of Hoshea, last king of [[Israel]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:30; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:1). </p> <p> '''3.''' Duke of [[Edom]] (&nbsp;Genesis 36:41); compare [[Elath]] on the Red Sea. </p> <p> '''4.''' Father of Shimei, Solomon's commissariat officer in [[Benjamin]] (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:18). </p> <p> '''5.''' Son of [[Caleb]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:15). </p> <p> '''6.''' Uzzi's son, a chief of Benjamin (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:8). </p>
          
          
== International Standard Bible Encyclopedia <ref name="term_3223" /> ==
== Smith's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_72523" /> ==
<p> '''''ē´la''''' ( אלה , <i> ''''''ēlāh''''' </i> , "oak" or "terebinth"): </p> <p> (1) [[A]] "duke" or "sheik" (head of a clan, the Revised Version (British and American) "chief") of [[Edom]] (&nbsp;Genesis 36:41 ). </p> <p> (2) Shimei-ben-Elah, Solomon's commissary in [[Benjamin]] (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:18 the King James Version). </p> <p> (3) [[A]] son of [[Caleb]] the son of [[Jephunneh]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:15 ). </p> <p> (4) Father of Hoshea, last king of [[Israel]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:30; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:1 ). </p> <p> (5) [[A]] [[B]] enjamite, son of Uzzi, one of the chiefs of the tribes when the country was settled (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:8 ). </p> <p> (6) King of Israel. See next article. </p>
<p> '''E'lah.''' ''(An Oak, Strength).'' </p> <p> 1. The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel. &nbsp;1 Kings 16:8-10. His reign lasted for a little more than a year; compare &nbsp;1 Kings 16:8 with &nbsp;1 Kings 16:10. (B.C. 928-7). He was killed, while drunk, by Zimri, in the house of his steward, Azra, who was probably a confederate in the plot. </p> <p> 2. Father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel. &nbsp;2 Kings 15:30; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:1. (B.C. 729 or before). </p> <p> 3. One of the dukes of Edom. &nbsp;Genesis 36:41; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 1:52. </p> <p> 4. [[Shimei]] ben-Elah was Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin. &nbsp;1 Kings 4:18. (B.C. 1013). </p> <p> 5. A son of Caleb, the son of Jephuneh. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:15. (B.C. 1450). </p> <p> 6. Son of Uzzi, a Benjamite, &nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:8, and one of the chiefs of the tribe, at the settlement of the country. (B.C. 536). </p>
       
== Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_50927" /> ==
<p> <strong> ELAH </strong> . <strong> 1. </strong> A ‘duke’ of Edom (&nbsp; [[Genesis]] 36:41 , &nbsp; 1 Chronicles 1:52 ). 2. Son of Baasha, king of Israel. He had nominal possession of the throne two years or fractions of years (&nbsp; 1 Kings 16:8-14 ). He gave himself to drunken dissipation, until Zimri, one of his generals, revolted and killed him. The usual extirpation of the defeated dynasty followed. <strong> 3. </strong> Father of [[Hoshea]] (&nbsp; 2 Kings 15:30; 2Ki 17:1; &nbsp; 2 Kings 18:1; &nbsp; 2 Kings 18:9 ). <strong> 4. </strong> Second son of Caleb (&nbsp; 1 Chronicles 4:15 ). <strong> 5. </strong> A [[Benjamite]] (&nbsp; 1 Chronicles 9:8 ). </p> <p> H. P. Smith. </p>
       
== Morrish Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_66014" /> ==
<p> 1. Duke of Edom. &nbsp;Genesis 36:41; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 1:52 . </p> <p> 2. Father of Shimei, one of Solomon's commissariat officers. &nbsp;1 Kings 4:18 . </p> <p> 3. Son and successor of Baasha king of Israel. He reigned little more than a year, being killed while intoxicated, by Zimri. &nbsp;1 Kings 16:6-14 . </p> <p> 4. Father of Hoshea the last king of Israel. &nbsp;2 Kings 15:30; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:1; &nbsp;2 Kings 18:1,9 . </p> <p> 5. Son of Caleb the son of Jephunneh. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:15 . </p> <p> 6. Son of [[Uzzi]] and a chief of the tribe of Benjamin. &nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:8 . </p>
       
== People's Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_70013" /> ==
<p> [[Elah]] (''Ç'Lah'' ), [[Terebinth]] , '''valley of''' . 1. Where David slew Goliath. &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:19; &nbsp;1 Samuel 21:9. It is now called ''Wady Es-Sunt,'' or "Acacia Valley," 14 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The valley is about a quarter of a mile wide, and has steep sides rising to a height of about 500 feet. The torrent or brook has a deep channel in the middle of the valley, and its course is strewn with smooth white stones. Terebinth trees, which gave the original title to the valley, are still found there. 2. The name of six persons in early biblical history. </p>
       
== Easton's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_31393" /> ==
<li> The father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:30; &nbsp;17:1 ). <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Elah'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/e/elah.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>
       
== Holman Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_40097" /> ==
&nbsp;Genesis 36:41&nbsp;1 Samuel 17:2&nbsp;1 Samuel 21:9&nbsp;3&nbsp;1 Kings 16:6-14&nbsp;4&nbsp;2 Kings 15:30&nbsp;5&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:15&nbsp;6&nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:8
       
== American Tract Society Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_15998" /> ==
<p> 1. A valley in which David slew Goliath, &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:2,3,19 . It was probably about eleven miles southwest from Jerusalem. </p> <p> 2. Son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel, B. C. 926. After reigning two years, he was slain while intoxicated, by Zimri, one of his officers, who succeeded him as king. Zimri destroyed all the family of Baasha, according to the prediction of Jehu, &nbsp;1 Kings 16:6 - &nbsp;10 . </p>
       
== Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature <ref name="term_38630" /> ==
<p> (Hebrews Elah', אֵלָה, [[Terebinth]] or oak [q.v.]), the name of a place, and also of five men. </p> <p> '''1.''' The [[Valley]] OF ELAH- (עֵמֵק הָאֵלָה, ''Vale Of The Terebinth'' or ''Oak;'' Sept. ἡ κοιλὰς ᾿Ηλά, but translates ἡ κοιλὰς τῆς δρυός in &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:19; Vulg. likewise vallis terebinthi), a valley in (not "by," as the A.V. has it) which the [[Israelites]] were encamped against the [[Philistines]] when David killed [[Goliath]] (&nbsp;1 Samuel 17:2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:19; &nbsp;1 Samuel 21:9). It lay somewhere near Shocoh of Judah, and Azekah, and was nearer [[Ekron]] than any other [[Philistine]] town (&nbsp;1 Samuel 17:1-58). Shocoh has been with great probability identified with Shuweikeh, near Beit Netif, some 14 miles S.W. of Jerusalem, on the road to Beit Jibrin and Gaza, among the more western of the hills of Judah, not far from where they begin to descend into the great Philistine plain. The village stands on the south slopes of the ''Wady Es-Sumt,'' or ''Valley Of The Acacia,'' which runs off in a N.W. direction across the plain to the sea just above Ashdod. Above Shuweikeh it branches into two other wadys. Large, though inferior in size to itself, and the junction of the three forms a considerable open space of not less than a mile wide cultivated in fields of grain. In the center is a wide torrent bed thickly strewed with round pebbles, and bordered by the acacia bushes from which the valley derives its present name. There seems to le no reason to doubt that this is the Valley of the Terebinth. It has changed its name, and is now called after another kind of tree (the sumt, or acacia), but the terebinth (butm) appears to be plentiful in the neighborhood, and one of the largest specimens in [[Palestine]] still stands in the immediate neighborhood of the spot, in wady Sur, the southernmost of the branch wadys. Four miles E. of Shuweikeh, along wady Musur, the other branch, is the khan and ruined site Akbeh, which van de Velde proposes to identify with Azekah. These identifications are confirmed by that of [[Ephesdammim]] (q.v.), the site of the Philistine camp. Ekron is 17 miles, and [[Bethlehem]] 12 miles distant from Shocoh. (For the valley, see Robinson, Researches, 2:350; [[Van]] de Velde, Narrative, 2:191; Porter, Handbook, pages 249, 250, 280; Schwarz, Palest. page 77.) </p> <p> There is a point in the topographical indications of &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:1-58 which it is very desirable should be carefully examined on the spot. The Philistines were between Shocoh and Azekah, at Ephesdammim, or Pasdammim, on the mountain on the S. side of the wady, while the Israelites were in the "valley" (qemoi) of the terebinth, or, rather, on the mountain on the N. side, and "the ravine" or "the glen" (הִגִּיְאְ ) was between the two armies (&nbsp;1 Samuel 17:2-3). Again (&nbsp;1 Samuel 17:52), the Israelites pursued the Philistines "till you come to 'the ravine'" (the same word). There is evidently a marked difference between the "valley" and the "ravine," and a little attention on the spot might do much towards elucidating this, and settling the identification of the place. In the above location, the distance between the armies was about a mile, and the vale beneath is flat and rich. The ridges rise on each side to the height of about 500 feet, and have a uniform slope, so that the armies ranged along them could see the combat in the vale. The Philistines, when defeated, fled down the valley towards [[Gath]] and Ekron. </p> <p> The traditional "Valley of the Terebinth" is the wady Beit-Hanina, which lies about 4 miles to the N.W. of Jerusalem, and is crossed by the road to Nebi Samwil. The scene of David's conflict is pointed out a little N. of the "Tombs of the Judges," and close to the traces of the old paved road. In this valley olive trees and carob-trees now prevail, and terebinth-trees are few; but the brook is still indicated whence the youthful champion selected the "smooth stones'"' wherewith he smote the Philistine. The brook is dry in summer, but in winter it becomes a mighty torrent, which inundates the vale (Kitto, Pictorial Palestine, page 121). But this spot is in the tribe of Benjamin, and otherwise does not correspond with the narrative of the text (see Thenius, Sachs exeg. Stud. 2:151). </p> <p> '''2.''' (Sept. ῾Ηλάς '','' but ᾿Ηλάς in Chron.; Vulg. ''Ella.)'' One of the Edomitish "dukes" or chieftains in Mount [[Seir]] (&nbsp;Genesis 36:41; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 1:52), B.C. post 1963. By Knobel (Comment. zu Genesis in loc.) he is connected with Elath (q.v.) on the Red Sea. </p> <p> '''3.''' (Sept. Ἀδά v.r. Ἀλά .) The middle one of the three sons of Caleb the son of [[Jephunneh]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:15), B.C. 1618. In that passage his sons are called [[Kenaz]] or Uknaz, but the words may be taken as if Kenaz was, with Elah, a son of Caleb. It is a singular coincidence that the names of both Elah and Kenaz also appear among the Edomitish "dukes." </p> <p> '''4.''' (Properly ELA, Hebrews ''Ela','' אֵלָא; Sept. ᾿Ηλά .) The father of Shimei ben-Ela, Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:18), B.C. 1013. </p> <p> '''5.''' (Sept. ᾿Ηλά, Josephus ῎Ηλανος, Vulg. ''Ela.)'' The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel (&nbsp;1 Kings 16:8-10); his reign lasted for little more than a year (compare &nbsp;1 Kings 16:8 with 10), B.C. 928-7. He was killed while drunk by Zimri, in the house of his steward Arza, who was probably a confederate in the plot. This occurred, according to Josephus ''(Ant.'' 8:12, 4),while his army and officers were absent at the siege of Gibbethon. He was the last king of Baasha's line, and by this catastrophe the predictions of the prophet [[Jehu]] were accomplished (&nbsp;1 Kings 16:6-7; &nbsp;1 Kings 16:11-14). </p> <p> '''6.''' (Sept. ᾿Ηλά .) The father of Hoshea, last king of Israel (&nbsp;2 Kings 15:30; &nbsp;2 Kings 17:1), B.C. 729, or ante. </p> <p> '''7.''' (Sept. ᾿Ηλά v.r. ᾿Ηλώ '','' Vulg. ''Ela.)'' The son of Uzzi, and one of the Benjamite heads of families who were taken into captivity (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 9:8), or rather, perhaps, returned from it. B.C. 516. </p>
       
== Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature <ref name="term_15574" /> ==
<p> Elah, 1 </p> <p> E´lah, son of Baasha king of Israel. After a reign of two years (B.C. 930-929) he was assassinated while drunk, and all his kinsfolk and friends cut off, by Zimri, 'the captain of half his chariots.' He was the last king of Baasha's line, and by this catastrophe the predictions of the prophet Jehu were accomplished . </p> <p> Elah, 2 </p> <p> E´lah, a valley in which the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath . It doubtless received this name from the terebinth trees, or from some remarkable terebinth tree, growing in it. [[Ecclesiastical]] traditions identify it with the present valley of Beit Hanina, about eight miles north-west from Jerusalem. In this valley olive trees and carob trees now prevail, and terebinth trees are few; but the brook is still indicated whence the youthful champion selected the 'smooth stones' wherewith he smote the Philistine. The brook is dry in summer, but in winter it becomes a mighty torrent, which inundates the vale. Dr. Robinson, however, disputes this ancient tradition, and finds that the conditions of the history require him to identify the valley of Elah with the [[Wady]] es-Sumt (acacia valley), which he crossed on the road from [[Jerusalem]] to Gaza, about eleven miles south-west from the former city. His reasons are given in Biblical Researches, iii. 350; and he remarks that the largest specimen of the terebinth tree which he saw in Palestine still stands in the vicinity. </p>
          
          
==References ==
==References ==
<references>
<references>


<ref name="term_50940"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/hastings-dictionary-of-the-bible/elah+(1) Elah from Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible]</ref>
<ref name="term_35276"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/fausset-s-bible-dictionary/elah Elah from Fausset's Bible Dictionary]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_72523"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/smith-s-bible-dictionary/elah Elah from Smith's Bible Dictionary]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_50927"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/hastings-dictionary-of-the-bible/elah Elah from Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_66014"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/morrish-bible-dictionary/elah Elah from Morrish Bible Dictionary]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_70013"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/people-s-dictionary-of-the-bible/elah Elah from People's Dictionary of the Bible]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_31393"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/easton-s-bible-dictionary/elah Elah from Easton's Bible Dictionary]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_40097"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/holman-bible-dictionary/elah Elah from Holman Bible Dictionary]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_15998"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/american-tract-society-bible-dictionary/elah Elah from American Tract Society Bible Dictionary]</ref>
       
<ref name="term_38630"> [https://bibleportal.com/encyclopedia/cyclopedia-of-biblical-theological-and-ecclesiastical-literature/elah Elah from Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature]</ref>
          
          
<ref name="term_3223"> [https://bibleportal.com/encyclopedia/international-standard-bible-encyclopedia/elah+(1) Elah from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]</ref>
<ref name="term_15574"> [https://bibleportal.com/encyclopedia/kitto-s-popular-cyclopedia-of-biblial-literature/elah Elah from Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature]</ref>
          
          
</references>
</references>

Revision as of 08:46, 13 October 2021

Fausset's Bible Dictionary [1]

1. Baasha's son and successor on the Israelite throne ( 1 Kings 16:8-10); reigned little more than a year. A beacon to warn drunkards, killed by the captain of half his chariots, Zimri, while "drinking himself drunk" in the house of his steward Arza in Tirzah. Josephus (Ant. 8:12, section 4) says it occurred while his army and officers were absent at the siege of Gibbethon. As Baasha conspired against his master Nadab, so Zimri against Baasha's son; Zimri in his turn was slain by Omri. Thus retributive justice pays transgressors in kind.

2. Father of Hoshea, last king of Israel ( 2 Kings 15:30;  2 Kings 17:1).

3. Duke of Edom ( Genesis 36:41); compare Elath on the Red Sea.

4. Father of Shimei, Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin ( 1 Kings 4:18).

5. Son of Caleb ( 1 Chronicles 4:15).

6. Uzzi's son, a chief of Benjamin ( 1 Chronicles 9:8).

Smith's Bible Dictionary [2]

E'lah. (An Oak, Strength).

1. The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel.  1 Kings 16:8-10. His reign lasted for a little more than a year; compare  1 Kings 16:8 with  1 Kings 16:10. (B.C. 928-7). He was killed, while drunk, by Zimri, in the house of his steward, Azra, who was probably a confederate in the plot.

2. Father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel.  2 Kings 15:30;  2 Kings 17:1. (B.C. 729 or before).

3. One of the dukes of Edom.  Genesis 36:41;  1 Chronicles 1:52.

4. Shimei ben-Elah was Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin.  1 Kings 4:18. (B.C. 1013).

5. A son of Caleb, the son of Jephuneh.  1 Chronicles 4:15. (B.C. 1450).

6. Son of Uzzi, a Benjamite,  1 Chronicles 9:8, and one of the chiefs of the tribe, at the settlement of the country. (B.C. 536).

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [3]

ELAH . 1. A ‘duke’ of Edom (  Genesis 36:41 ,   1 Chronicles 1:52 ). 2. Son of Baasha, king of Israel. He had nominal possession of the throne two years or fractions of years (  1 Kings 16:8-14 ). He gave himself to drunken dissipation, until Zimri, one of his generals, revolted and killed him. The usual extirpation of the defeated dynasty followed. 3. Father of Hoshea (  2 Kings 15:30; 2Ki 17:1;   2 Kings 18:1;   2 Kings 18:9 ). 4. Second son of Caleb (  1 Chronicles 4:15 ). 5. A Benjamite (  1 Chronicles 9:8 ).

H. P. Smith.

Morrish Bible Dictionary [4]

1. Duke of Edom.  Genesis 36:41;  1 Chronicles 1:52 .

2. Father of Shimei, one of Solomon's commissariat officers.  1 Kings 4:18 .

3. Son and successor of Baasha king of Israel. He reigned little more than a year, being killed while intoxicated, by Zimri.  1 Kings 16:6-14 .

4. Father of Hoshea the last king of Israel.  2 Kings 15:30;  2 Kings 17:1;  2 Kings 18:1,9 .

5. Son of Caleb the son of Jephunneh.  1 Chronicles 4:15 .

6. Son of Uzzi and a chief of the tribe of Benjamin.  1 Chronicles 9:8 .

People's Dictionary of the Bible [5]

Elah (Ç'Lah ), Terebinth , valley of . 1. Where David slew Goliath.  1 Samuel 17:2;  1 Samuel 17:19;  1 Samuel 21:9. It is now called Wady Es-Sunt, or "Acacia Valley," 14 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The valley is about a quarter of a mile wide, and has steep sides rising to a height of about 500 feet. The torrent or brook has a deep channel in the middle of the valley, and its course is strewn with smooth white stones. Terebinth trees, which gave the original title to the valley, are still found there. 2. The name of six persons in early biblical history.

Easton's Bible Dictionary [6]

  • The father of Hoshea, the last king of Israel ( 2 Kings 15:30;  17:1 ).

    Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

    Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Elah'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/e/elah.html. 1897.

    • Holman Bible Dictionary [7]

     Genesis 36:41 1 Samuel 17:2 1 Samuel 21:9 3 1 Kings 16:6-14 4 2 Kings 15:30 5 1 Chronicles 4:15 6 1 Chronicles 9:8

    American Tract Society Bible Dictionary [8]

    1. A valley in which David slew Goliath,  1 Samuel 17:2,3,19 . It was probably about eleven miles southwest from Jerusalem.

    2. Son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel, B. C. 926. After reigning two years, he was slain while intoxicated, by Zimri, one of his officers, who succeeded him as king. Zimri destroyed all the family of Baasha, according to the prediction of Jehu,  1 Kings 16:6 -  10 .

    Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [9]

    (Hebrews Elah', אֵלָה, Terebinth or oak [q.v.]), the name of a place, and also of five men.

    1. The Valley OF ELAH- (עֵמֵק הָאֵלָה, Vale Of The Terebinth or Oak; Sept. ἡ κοιλὰς ᾿Ηλά, but translates ἡ κοιλὰς τῆς δρυός in  1 Samuel 17:2;  1 Samuel 17:19; Vulg. likewise vallis terebinthi), a valley in (not "by," as the A.V. has it) which the Israelites were encamped against the Philistines when David killed Goliath ( 1 Samuel 17:2;  1 Samuel 17:19;  1 Samuel 21:9). It lay somewhere near Shocoh of Judah, and Azekah, and was nearer Ekron than any other Philistine town ( 1 Samuel 17:1-58). Shocoh has been with great probability identified with Shuweikeh, near Beit Netif, some 14 miles S.W. of Jerusalem, on the road to Beit Jibrin and Gaza, among the more western of the hills of Judah, not far from where they begin to descend into the great Philistine plain. The village stands on the south slopes of the Wady Es-Sumt, or Valley Of The Acacia, which runs off in a N.W. direction across the plain to the sea just above Ashdod. Above Shuweikeh it branches into two other wadys. Large, though inferior in size to itself, and the junction of the three forms a considerable open space of not less than a mile wide cultivated in fields of grain. In the center is a wide torrent bed thickly strewed with round pebbles, and bordered by the acacia bushes from which the valley derives its present name. There seems to le no reason to doubt that this is the Valley of the Terebinth. It has changed its name, and is now called after another kind of tree (the sumt, or acacia), but the terebinth (butm) appears to be plentiful in the neighborhood, and one of the largest specimens in Palestine still stands in the immediate neighborhood of the spot, in wady Sur, the southernmost of the branch wadys. Four miles E. of Shuweikeh, along wady Musur, the other branch, is the khan and ruined site Akbeh, which van de Velde proposes to identify with Azekah. These identifications are confirmed by that of Ephesdammim (q.v.), the site of the Philistine camp. Ekron is 17 miles, and Bethlehem 12 miles distant from Shocoh. (For the valley, see Robinson, Researches, 2:350; Van de Velde, Narrative, 2:191; Porter, Handbook, pages 249, 250, 280; Schwarz, Palest. page 77.)

    There is a point in the topographical indications of  1 Samuel 17:1-58 which it is very desirable should be carefully examined on the spot. The Philistines were between Shocoh and Azekah, at Ephesdammim, or Pasdammim, on the mountain on the S. side of the wady, while the Israelites were in the "valley" (qemoi) of the terebinth, or, rather, on the mountain on the N. side, and "the ravine" or "the glen" (הִגִּיְאְ ) was between the two armies ( 1 Samuel 17:2-3). Again ( 1 Samuel 17:52), the Israelites pursued the Philistines "till you come to 'the ravine'" (the same word). There is evidently a marked difference between the "valley" and the "ravine," and a little attention on the spot might do much towards elucidating this, and settling the identification of the place. In the above location, the distance between the armies was about a mile, and the vale beneath is flat and rich. The ridges rise on each side to the height of about 500 feet, and have a uniform slope, so that the armies ranged along them could see the combat in the vale. The Philistines, when defeated, fled down the valley towards Gath and Ekron.

    The traditional "Valley of the Terebinth" is the wady Beit-Hanina, which lies about 4 miles to the N.W. of Jerusalem, and is crossed by the road to Nebi Samwil. The scene of David's conflict is pointed out a little N. of the "Tombs of the Judges," and close to the traces of the old paved road. In this valley olive trees and carob-trees now prevail, and terebinth-trees are few; but the brook is still indicated whence the youthful champion selected the "smooth stones'"' wherewith he smote the Philistine. The brook is dry in summer, but in winter it becomes a mighty torrent, which inundates the vale (Kitto, Pictorial Palestine, page 121). But this spot is in the tribe of Benjamin, and otherwise does not correspond with the narrative of the text (see Thenius, Sachs exeg. Stud. 2:151).

    2. (Sept. ῾Ηλάς , but ᾿Ηλάς in Chron.; Vulg. Ella.) One of the Edomitish "dukes" or chieftains in Mount Seir ( Genesis 36:41;  1 Chronicles 1:52), B.C. post 1963. By Knobel (Comment. zu Genesis in loc.) he is connected with Elath (q.v.) on the Red Sea.

    3. (Sept. Ἀδά v.r. Ἀλά .) The middle one of the three sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh ( 1 Chronicles 4:15), B.C. 1618. In that passage his sons are called Kenaz or Uknaz, but the words may be taken as if Kenaz was, with Elah, a son of Caleb. It is a singular coincidence that the names of both Elah and Kenaz also appear among the Edomitish "dukes."

    4. (Properly ELA, Hebrews Ela', אֵלָא; Sept. ᾿Ηλά .) The father of Shimei ben-Ela, Solomon's commissariat officer in Benjamin ( 1 Kings 4:18), B.C. 1013.

    5. (Sept. ᾿Ηλά, Josephus ῎Ηλανος, Vulg. Ela.) The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel ( 1 Kings 16:8-10); his reign lasted for little more than a year (compare  1 Kings 16:8 with 10), B.C. 928-7. He was killed while drunk by Zimri, in the house of his steward Arza, who was probably a confederate in the plot. This occurred, according to Josephus (Ant. 8:12, 4),while his army and officers were absent at the siege of Gibbethon. He was the last king of Baasha's line, and by this catastrophe the predictions of the prophet Jehu were accomplished ( 1 Kings 16:6-7;  1 Kings 16:11-14).

    6. (Sept. ᾿Ηλά .) The father of Hoshea, last king of Israel ( 2 Kings 15:30;  2 Kings 17:1), B.C. 729, or ante.

    7. (Sept. ᾿Ηλά v.r. ᾿Ηλώ , Vulg. Ela.) The son of Uzzi, and one of the Benjamite heads of families who were taken into captivity ( 1 Chronicles 9:8), or rather, perhaps, returned from it. B.C. 516.

    Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature [10]

    Elah, 1

    E´lah, son of Baasha king of Israel. After a reign of two years (B.C. 930-929) he was assassinated while drunk, and all his kinsfolk and friends cut off, by Zimri, 'the captain of half his chariots.' He was the last king of Baasha's line, and by this catastrophe the predictions of the prophet Jehu were accomplished .

    Elah, 2

    E´lah, a valley in which the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath . It doubtless received this name from the terebinth trees, or from some remarkable terebinth tree, growing in it. Ecclesiastical traditions identify it with the present valley of Beit Hanina, about eight miles north-west from Jerusalem. In this valley olive trees and carob trees now prevail, and terebinth trees are few; but the brook is still indicated whence the youthful champion selected the 'smooth stones' wherewith he smote the Philistine. The brook is dry in summer, but in winter it becomes a mighty torrent, which inundates the vale. Dr. Robinson, however, disputes this ancient tradition, and finds that the conditions of the history require him to identify the valley of Elah with the Wady es-Sumt (acacia valley), which he crossed on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, about eleven miles south-west from the former city. His reasons are given in Biblical Researches, iii. 350; and he remarks that the largest specimen of the terebinth tree which he saw in Palestine still stands in the vicinity.

    References

    1. ↑ Elah from Fausset's Bible Dictionary
    2. ↑ Elah from Smith's Bible Dictionary
    3. ↑ Elah from Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
    4. ↑ Elah from Morrish Bible Dictionary
    5. ↑ Elah from People's Dictionary of the Bible
    6. ↑ Elah from Easton's Bible Dictionary
    7. ↑ Elah from Holman Bible Dictionary
    8. ↑ Elah from American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
    9. ↑ Elah from Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
    10. ↑ Elah from Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature
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