Lexical Definition
אֶלְנָתָן ʼElnâthân (el-naw-thawn') Elnathan N:N-M-P
from אֵל and נָתַן; God (is the) giver
Elnathan.
- § Elnathan = "God has given"
- Elnathan, the name of four Israelites
1) king Jehoiachin's maternal grandfather
2) three chief men in Ezra's time
3) son of Achbor, a military commander under Jehoiakim
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| וּלְאֶלְנָתָ֧ן | and for Elnathan | Ezra.8.16 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.8.16b
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֶלְנָתָן (God has given, compare נְתַנְאֵל, & Assyrian Ilu-iddin DlPr 207, Phoenician בעליתן, יתנבעל, Palmyrene עתנתן, והבלת, VogPal 30 & p. 31 f, Nabataean והבאל, קסנתן EutNab 12, 1, Sabean והבאל, אלוהב DHMZMG 1883, 15. 361. 388 CISiv.1,1.2.6, Theodore, Diodate).
a. the grandfather of Jehoiakim 2Kgs 24:8 compare Jer 26:22; Jer 36:12; Jer 36:25 (?).
b. Levites of the time of Ezra Ezra 8:16 (3 t. in verse).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Kings | 24:8 |
| Ezra | 8:16 |
| Jeremiah | 26:22 · 36:12 · 36:25 |
Profile
Male • Returned leader • A leader sent by Ezra to find Levites.
Man living at the time of Exile and Return
Elnathan, a leader, was among those sent by Ezra to find Levites to serve in the Temple (Ezr.8.16).
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.8.16b;
- only referred to as Elnathan אֶלְנָתָן.
Three men with this name occur in the same verse (Ezr.8.16), mentioned among the men sent by Ezra to Casiphia to find Levites for Temple service. This Elnathan is identified as a "leader," distinguishing him from the last Elnathan mentioned in the same verse. The designation of Elnathan as a teacher suggests that he held a position of authority and was recognized for his knowledge and ability to instruct others. Like the other leading men, this Elnathan was entrusted with the task of recruiting Levites to assist in the Temple service. The presence of a teacher among the group sent by Ezra underscores the importance of not only gathering Levites but also ensuring that they were properly educated and prepared for their roles in the Temple.
All entries for Elnathan: אֶלְנָתָן