Elon אֵלוֹן
A Hittite, father-in-law of Esau.
Biography
Elon the Hittite is mentioned in Genesis as the father of Basemath, one of Esau's wives. Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, married two Hittite women, Judith and Basemath, causing grief to his parents (Gen.26.34). Basemath is specifically identified as the daughter of Elon the Hittite. The Hittites were a people group living in Canaan during the time of the patriarchs. Esau's marriage to Hittite women was seen as a departure from the custom of marrying within the family or tribe, as his parents had desired. In Gen.36.2, Basemath is again mentioned as one of Esau's wives, reaffirming her identity as the daughter of Elon the Hittite. No further information is provided about Elon's life, occupation, or role in the Hittite community. His mention in the text serves primarily to identify the background of one of Esau's wives and to highlight the cultural and familial tensions surrounding Esau's marriages.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 2 verses Study available
- Genesis 26:34
"When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 36:2
"Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite;"
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֵלוֹן | H0356G |