Elishah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Elishah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Table of Nations in the Book of Genesis. He is identified as one of the sons of Javan, who was a son of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons. The genealogical account places Elishah among the descendants who repopulated the earth after the Great Flood.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 10:4 : "The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites." This verse situates Elishah within the broader context of the descendants of Japheth, who are traditionally associated with the peoples of the Mediterranean and the Aegean regions.

2. 1 Chronicles 1:7 : "The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites." This passage mirrors the account in Genesis, reaffirming Elishah's place in the genealogical record.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Elishah is often associated with the ancient maritime peoples and regions of the Mediterranean. Some scholars and historians have linked Elishah to the region of Elis in the Peloponnese of Greece, while others suggest connections to the Alashiya of ancient texts, which is believed to be Cyprus. The association with maritime regions is consistent with the broader context of Javan's descendants, who are often linked to seafaring and trade.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, the descendants of Japheth, including Elishah, are traditionally seen as the progenitors of the Gentile nations. This genealogical framework underscores the biblical theme of the dispersion of peoples and the diversity of nations stemming from a common ancestry. Elishah's mention, though brief, contributes to the understanding of the spread of humanity and the establishment of various ethnic and cultural groups in the post-diluvian world.

Theologically, the Table of Nations, where Elishah is listed, serves to illustrate the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). It also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, which encompasses all nations and peoples, as later revealed in the New Testament.

Related References:

· Ezekiel 27:7 : "Your sail was made of fine embroidered linen from Egypt, and your awning of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah." This verse from Ezekiel's lament over Tyre suggests that Elishah was known for producing valuable goods, specifically textiles, which were traded with the city of Tyre. This further supports the identification of Elishah with a region known for its maritime commerce.

Elishah's brief but significant mention in the Bible highlights the interconnectedness of ancient peoples and the spread of civilization across the Mediterranean basin. His legacy, as part of the Table of Nations, contributes to the broader biblical narrative of human history and divine providence.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Elishah

it is God; the lamb of God: God that gives help

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Elishah

(God is salvation), the eldest son of Javan. (Genesis 10:4) The residence of his descendants is described in (Ezekiel 27:7) as the isles of Elishah, whence the Phoenicians obtained their purple and blue dyes. Some connect the race of Elishah with the AEolians, others with Elishah, and in a more extended sense Peloponnesus, or even Hellas.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Elishah

A son of Javan, Genesis 10:4. "The isle of Elishah," which sent purple and scarlet stuffs to Tyre, Ezekiel 27:7, are supposed to mean Greece and the adjacent islands.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
The oldest of the four sons of Javan (Genesis 10:4), whose descendants peopled Greece. It has been supposed that Elishah's descendants peopled the Peloponnesus, which was known by the name of Elis. This may be meant by "the isles of Elishah" (Ezek. 27:7).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ELISHAH

e-li'-sha ('elishah, "God saves"; Elisa, Eleisai):

Mentioned in Genesis 10:4 as the eldest son of Javan, and in Ezekiel 27:7 as the source from which the Tyrians obtained their purple dyes. On the ground of this latter statement attempts have been made to identify it with Southern Italy or the north of Africa. Josephus (Ant., I, vi, 1) identified Elisha with the Aeolians. The Targum on Ezekiel gives "the province of Italy." Other suggestions include Hellas, Ells, and Alsa; the last named is a kingdom mentioned in the Tell el-Amarna Letters, but its precise location is unknown. It is impossible as yet to claim certainty for any of these conjectures.

A. C. Grant

Strong's Hebrew
473. Elishah -- a son of Javan, also his desc. and their land
... 472, 473. Elishah. 474 . a son of Javan, also his desc. and their land.
Transliteration: Elishah Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-shaw') Short Definition: Elishah ...
/hebrew/473.htm - 6k
Library

Ezekiel's Discourse
... Of fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was thy sail, that it might be to thee
for an ensign; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was thine awning. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

The Gospel of Luke
... In the synagogue at Nazareth Christ points out that God might again deal with the
Jews as He had done in the days of Elijah and Elishah, 4:25-27; He declares ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of luke.htm

Chapter x
... Dodanim. If Javan be the Ionians, then these are all kin to the Greeks.
"Elishah" should then be referred to the district Elis. Many ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

[Endnotes]
... ". JAPHETH. Gomer, Magog. Madai. Javan, Tubal. Meshech. Tiras. Ashkenaz,
Elishah, Riphath, Tarshish, Togarmah. Kittim, Dodanim. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... mentioned by Strabo. Conder connected it with the scriptural Elishah, and
W. Max Millier confounds it with Asi or Cyprus. On the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Thesaurus
Elishah (3 Occurrences)
... It has been supposed that Elishah's descendants peopled the Peloponnesus, which
was known by the name of Elis. ... 27:7). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELISHAH. ...
/e/elishah.htm - 8k

Eli'shah (3 Occurrences)
Eli'shah. Elishah, Eli'shah. Elishama . ... Eli'shah (3 Occurrences). Genesis
10:4 And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. (See RSV). ...
/e/eli'shah.htm - 7k

Javan (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ... 1 Chronicles
1:7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. ...
/j/javan.htm - 12k

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ... 1 Chronicles
1:7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. ...
/t/tarshish.htm - 17k

Rodanim (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ... 1 Chronicles
1:7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. ...
/r/rodanim.htm - 8k

Dodanim (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ... 1 Chronicles
1:7 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ...
/d/dodanim.htm - 8k

Kittim (8 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ... 1 Chronicles
1:7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. ...
/k/kittim.htm - 15k

Ro'danim (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ro'danim (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 1:7 The sons of
Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. (See RSV). ...
/r/ro'danim.htm - 6k

Distinguishing (6 Occurrences)
... 27:7 Of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt was your sail, that it might
be to you for a banner; blue and purple from the islands of Elishah was your ...
/d/distinguishing.htm - 8k

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)
... Japheth " - Gomer " Cimmerians, Armenians " - Magog " Caucasians, Scythians " -
Madal " Medes and Persian tribes " - Javan " - Elishah " Greeks " - Tarshish ...
/d/dispersion.htm - 44k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Elishah (3 Occurrences)

Genesis 10:4
The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:7
The sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 27:7
Of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt was your sail, that it might be to you for a banner; blue and purple from the islands of Elishah was your awning.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Elishah

Elishah: A Descendant of Noah

Elishah: Islands of the Mediterranean Bear the Name of

Related Terms

Elishah (3 Occurrences)

Elishama (17 Occurrences)

Elisha: Witnesses Elijah's Transporting, Receives a Double Portion of his Spirit
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