Elkanah אֶלְקָנָה
The father of the prophet Samuel.
Biography
Elkanah, an Ephraimite from Ramathaim-zophim, was the father of the prophet Samuel and the husband of Hannah and Peninnah (1Sa.1.1,4). He was a devout man who regularly went to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at Shiloh (1Sa.1.3). Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. While Peninnah had children, Hannah was barren (1Sa.1.2). Despite Hannah's inability to bear children, Elkanah loved her deeply and tried to comfort her (1Sa.1.8). Hannah prayed fervently for a child and vowed to dedicate him to the Lord's service (1Sa.1.11). After the birth of Samuel, Elkanah supported Hannah in fulfilling her vow and brought the child to serve in the tabernacle under Eli the priest (1Sa.1.21-28). Elkanah continued to worship at Shiloh and received a blessing from Eli for his devotion (1Sa.2.20). He is also mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites as an ancestor of Samuel and his sons (1Ch.6.27,34). Elkanah's story highlights his faithfulness, love for his family, and support for Hannah's dedication of Samuel to the Lord's service.
Family
Parents
Partners
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Samuel 5 verses
- 1 Samuel 1:1
"Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite."
- 1 Samuel 1:4
"When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions;"
- 1 Samuel 1:8
"Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why don’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”"
- 1 Samuel 1:19
"They rose up in the morning early and worshiped Yahweh, then returned and came to their house to Ramah. Then Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her."
- 1 Samuel 1:21
"The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and his vow."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:27
"Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son."
- 1 Chronicles 6:34
"the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶלְקָנָה | H0511H |