1 Chronicles 12:6 — Word Study
WLCאֶלְקָנָ֡ה וְ֠יִשִּׁיָּהוּ וַעֲזַרְאֵ֧ל וְיוֹעֶ֛זֶר וְיָשָׁבְעָ֖ם הַקָּרְחִֽים׃
BSAEluzaiʼElʻûwzay△ JeremothYᵉrîymôwth BealiahBᵉʻalyâh△ ShemariahShᵉmaryâh ShephatiahShᵉphaṭyâh HaruphiteChărûwphîy△ HaruphiteChărûwphîy△
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶלְקָנָ֡ה | Elkanah | Noun proper masculine |
| וְ֠יִשִּׁיָּהוּ | and Isshiah | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| וַעֲזַרְאֵ֧ל | and Azarel | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| וְיוֹעֶ֛זֶר | and Joezer | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| וְיָשָׁבְעָ֖ם | and Jashobeam | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| הַקָּרְחִֽים׃ | the Korahites | Particle, noun gentilic masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites; |
| KJV | Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites, |
| ASV | Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites, |
| YLT | Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam the Korhites, |
| WEB | Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites; |
| BBE | Elkanah and Isshiah and Azarel and Joezer and Jashobeam, the Korahites; |
Where they part company is in the rendering of names, but all agree on the identities of these key figures.
The structure is straightforward, with a main clause listing the names and a relative clause providing additional information about their identity.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 12:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Warriors of David's Timegenerated
1 Chronicles 12:6 lists key figures who supported David, highlighting their roles as warriors and leaders. This passage emphasizes the importance of these individuals in the context of David's reign and the establishment of his kingdom. The mention of the Korahites connects them to a significant Levitical lineage, indicating their heritage and role in Israel's worship and military.
Cross References
The Key Word — אֶלְקָנָ֡ה, 'el.ka.Nahgenerated
The name אֶלְקָנָה (Elqanah) means 'God has taken possession' and is composed of elements meaning 'God' and 'to obtain.' It identifies several individuals in the Old Testament, including Samuel's father and a leader during King Ahaz's time. This name reflects a deep connection to divine ownership and legacy.
The passive aspect of the name suggests a relationship with God, indicating that the individual is seen as belonging to God or being under His care. This name appears frequently in the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in Israel's history.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible, which uses Elkanah for the name.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause centers around the listing of names, with each name introduced by a conjunction. The structure is straightforward, presenting a series of proper nouns that identify significant individuals in David's military.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the names themselves, allowing the reader to focus on the identities of these warriors and their lineage as Korahites.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֶלְקָנָה as ελιαζαι, which reflects a transliteration rather than a direct translation. This choice indicates a continuity in the recognition of these figures across both Hebrew and Greek texts.
The use of the Greek form maintains the connection to the Hebrew roots, ensuring that the significance of the name is preserved in the translation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 12:6 lists Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam as warriors who were Korahites. These men were part of David's supporters and played significant roles in his military efforts.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The Korahites were descendants of Korah, a Levite who lived during the time of the Exodus, known for their roles in worship and service.
Elkanah means 'God has taken possession' and reflects a connection to divine ownership.
This listing highlights the support David received from various tribes, emphasizing their loyalty and significance in establishing his kingdom.
These names represent key figures in Israel's history, showcasing the diverse backgrounds and roles of those who supported David.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can understanding the lineage of these warriors deepen our appreciation for their roles in Israel's history?
- What does it mean to be a part of a legacy like that of the Korahites today?
- In what ways can we honor the contributions of those who came before us in our own communities?
- How does the significance of names in the Bible reflect the identities and roles of individuals in God's plan?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 12:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleElkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites. Not Korahites, descendants of Levi, 1 Chronicles 9:19, but the posterity of Korah a Benjaminite.
Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryEluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Five members of the Levitical clan Korah. The name “Elkanah” occurs thrice in the lineage of Heman, the Korhite musician (1 Chronicles 6:33 ff.), and in that of Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:22 ff.). Jesiah.—Heb., Yishshiyâhû; “Jahu is ray possession.” (Comp. Psalms 16:5.) Azareel is a priestly name. (See Nehemiah 11:13.) There must have been Levites about the Tabernacle at Gibeon. But these Korhites may have been members of the Judean clan Korah, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:43, but otherwise unknown. Jashobeam occurred as chief of the Three Heroes (1 Chronicles 11:11).
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. the Korhites] R.V. the Korahites. Probably not the Levitic but the Calebitic sons of Korah (1 Chronicles 2:43), who belonged to Judah, are meant.
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites;
Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites;
Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites;
Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites,
Tyndale line
Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,
Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites,
Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites;
Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites.
Elkanah, and Ishiah, and Azariel, and Ioezer, Iashobeam of Hakorehim,
Strictly literal
Elkanah, and Jishijah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites;
Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam the Korhites,
Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam the Korahites,
Elkanah, and Yishiyahu, and 'Azarel, and Jo'ezer, and Jashob'am, the Korchites,
the Korahites Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, and
From the Latin
Elcana, and Jesia, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jesbaam of Carehim:
Simplified
Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam (they were Korahites);
Elkanah and Isshiah and Azarel and Joezer and Jashobeam, the Korahites;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the names listed in this verse, showing a consistent transmission of these figures' identities. The Septuagint's word order differs, but the names match perfectly, indicating a shared understanding of these important individuals.
אֶלְקָנָ֡ה וְ֠יִשִּׁיָּהוּ וַעֲזַרְאֵ֧ל וְיוֹעֶ֛זֶר וְיָשָׁבְעָ֖ם הַקָּרְחִֽים׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 12:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אֶלְקָנָה (Elqanah) means 'God has created' or 'God has taken possession.' It refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, including Samuel's father, a ruler during Ahaz's reign, and various Levites. The name is composed of elements meaning 'God' and 'to obtain.' It is first mentioned in Exodus 6:24.
אֶלְקָנָה n.pr.m. (God has created, or taken possession)
father of Samuel
son of Korah
a ruler in Jerusalem in the time of Ahaz
one of David’s warriors
several Levites
base
H511 אֶלְקָנָה (God has created, or taken possession) . father of Samuel
. son of Korah
. a ruler in Jerusalem in the time of Ahaz
. one of David’s warriors
. several Levites
511 'Elqanah el-kaw-naw'
from 410 and 7069; God has obtained; Elkanah, the name of
several Israelites:--Elkanah.
see HEBREW for 0410
see HEBREW for 07069
אֶלְקָנָה (el.qa.nah) — Elkanah.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.24;
son of: Korah (H7141I);
brother of: Assir (H0617) and Ebiasaph (H0043)
§ Elkanah = "God has possessed" or "God has created"
1) Samuel's father
2) a ruler in Jerusalem in the time of king Ahaz
3) one of David's mighty warriors
4) son of Korah
5) several Levites
אֶלְקָנָה (el.qa.nah) — Elkanah.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.1.1;
son of: Jeroham (H3395); married to Hannah (H2584) and Peninnah (H6444);
father of: Samuel (H8050)
§ Elkanah = "God has possessed" or "God has created"
1) Samuel's father
2) a ruler in Jerusalem in the time of king Ahaz
3) one of David's mighty warriors
4) son of Korah
5) several Levites
אֶלְקָנָה (el.qa.nah) — Elkanah.
HNpm — Noun proper masculineHNpm
el-ka'-na ('elqanah, "God has possessed"):
(1) An Ephraimite, the father of Samuel (1Sa 1:1-28; 2:11-20). Of his two wives, Hannah, the childless, was best beloved. At Shiloh she received through Eli the promise of a son. Elkanah, with Hannah, took the young Samuel to Shiloh when he was weaned, and left him with EIi as their offering to Yahweh. They were blessed with three other sons and two daughters.
Elkanah
God-created. (1.) The second son of Korah (Ex. 6:24), or, according to 1 Chr. 6:22, 23, more correctly his grandson.
(2.) Another Levite of the line of Heman the singer, although he does not seem to have performed any of the usual Levitical offices. He was father of Samuel the prophet (1 Chr. 6:27, 34). He was “an Ephrathite” (1 Sam. 1:1, 4, 8), but lived at Ramah, a man of wealth and high position. He had two wives, Hannah, who was the mother of Samuel, and Peninnah.
God the zealous; the zeal of God
יִשִּׁיָּהוּ (Yishshiyah) means "Jehovah will lend" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, including warriors, Levites, and a man from the tribe of Issachar. The entries note that he is mentioned in contexts related to David's time and the Divided Monarchy, with references to 1 Chronicles. The name appears in various forms, such as Ishiah and Jesiah.
יִשִּׁיָּהוּ, יִשִּׁיָּה n.pr.m.
one of David’s heroes
a man of Issachar
Levites
one of those strange wives
base
H3449 יִשִּׁיָּהוּ, יִשִּׁיָּה
3449 Yishshiyah yish-shee-yaw'
or Yishshiyahuw {yish-shee-yaw'-hoo}; from 5383 and 3050; Jah
will lend; Jishshijah, the name of five Israelites:--Ishiah,
Isshiah, Ishijah, Jesiah.
see HEBREW for 05383
see HEBREW for 03050
יִשִּׁיָּהוּ (yish.shiy.yah) — Isshiah.
A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.3;
son of: Izrahiah (H3156);
brother of: Michael (H4317K), Obadiah (H5662I) and Joel (H3100L)
§ Ishiah or Ishijah or Jesiah = "Jehovah will lend"
1) a Korhite, one of David's mighty warriors who joined him at Ziklag
2) the 5th of 5 sons of Izrahiah and one of the heads of the tribe of Issachar in the time of David
3) a Levite, the 2nd son of Uzziel and grandson of Kohath
4) another Levite, son of Rehabiah
5) a descendant of Harim who had a foreign wife
יִשִּׁיָּהוּ (yish.shiy.yah) — Isshiah.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.6
§ Ishiah or Ishijah or Jesiah = "Jehovah will lend"
1) a Korhite, one of David's mighty warriors who joined him at Ziklag
HC/Npm — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
The Hebrew word עֲזַרְאֵל (*Azar'el*) means "God has helped" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament. It is composed of elements meaning 'help' and 'God.' The name appears in contexts related to warriors, musicians, and priests, specifically during the time of David and the return from exile. Notably, it is mentioned in 1 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
עֲזַרְאֵל n.pr.m. (Ēl hath helped)
warrior of David
Levite musician
a Danite
one with foreign wife
priestly name
base
H5832 עֲזַרְאֵל
5832 `Azar'el az-ar-ale'
from 5826 and 410; God has helped; Azarel, the name of five
Israelites:--Azarael, Azareel.
see HEBREW for 05826
see HEBREW for 0410
עֲזַרְאֵל (a.zar.el) — Azarel.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.6
§ Azarael or Azareel = "God has helped"
1) a Korhite warrior of David who joined him at Ziklag
2) a Levite musician of the family of Heman in the time of David
3) a Danite, son of Jeroham and a prince of the tribe at the census of David
4) one of the sons of Bani who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
5) a priest, ancestor of Maasiai or Amashai, a priest in Jerusalem after the return from exile
6) a priest and musician in the time of Nehemiah
עֲזַרְאֵל (a.zar.el) — Azarel.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.27.22;
son of: Jeroham (H3395L)
§ Azarael or Azareel = "God has helped"
1) a Korhite warrior of David who joined him at Ziklag
2) a Levite musician of the family of Heman in the time of David
HC/Npm — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
יוֹעֶ֫זֶר (Yow'ezer) means 'Jehovah is help' and refers to Joezer, an Israelite mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:6 as one of David's mighty warriors. The name is derived from the components for Jehovah and help, indicating its significance in the context of divine assistance.
יוֹעֶ֫זֶר n.pr.m. (י׳ is a help) one of David’s mighty men 1 Ch 12:7
ref
H3134 יוֹעֶ֫זֶר
3134 Yow`ezer yo-eh'-zer
from 3068 and 5828; Jehovah (is his) help; Joezer, an
Israelite:--Joezer.
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 05828
יוֹעֶ֫זֶר (yo.e.zer) — Joezer.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.6
§ Joezer = "Jehovah is help"
a Korhite, one of David's mighty warriors who joined him at Ziklag
HC/Npm — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
jo-e'-zer (yo`ezer, "Yahweh is help"): One of David's Benjamite recruits at Ziklag, though perhaps a Judean (1Ch 12:6 (Hebrew 7)).
Joezer
Jehovah is his help, one of the Korhites who became part of David’s body-guard (1 Chr. 12:6).
(whose help is Jehovah), a Korhite, one of David’s captains. (1 Chronicles 12:6) (B.C. 1155.)
he that aids
יָשׇׁבְעָם (Yashob`am) means "the people will return" and refers to a name associated with two or three Israelites, notably a leader of David's mighty warriors. He is first mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:8 and is known for his extraordinary feats in battle, including slaying a large number of enemies. The entries indicate he was also called Josheb-basshebeth.
יָשׇׁבְעָם n.pr.m. a hero of David
base
H3434 יָשׇׁבְעָם
3434 Yashob`am yaw-shob-awm'
from 7725 and 5971; people will return; Jashobam, the name of
two or three Israelites:--Jashobeam.
see HEBREW for 07725
see HEBREW for 05971
יָשׇׁבְעָם (ya.shov.am) — Jashobeam.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.8;
son of: Zabdiel (H2068); also called Josheb-basshebeth (KJV: "that sat in the seat") at 2Sa.23.8;
Also named: yo.shev bash.she.vet (יֹשֵׁב בַּשֶּׁ֫בֶת "Josheb-basshebeth" H3429)
§ Jashobeam = "the people will return"
1) a Hachmonite, the leader of the 30 mighty warriors of David; he joined David at Ziklag and was best known as the man who slew 800 or 300 men at one time; also called 'Adino the Eznite'
2) a Korahite, another of David's mighty warriors; same as 1?
יָשׇׁבְעָם (ya.shov.am) — Jashobeam.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.6
§ Jashobeam = "the people will return"
HC/Npm — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
ja-sho'-be-am (yashobh`am, probably "people will return"; see discussion of names compounded with `am, in HPN, 41-59): Jashobeam is mentioned in three passages (1Ch 11:11; 12:6 (Hebrew 7); 27:2 f), but opinions vary as to the number of persons erred to. In 1Ch 11:11 he is called "the son of a Hachmonite" (reference unknown) and "the chief of the three" ("three," the best reading; the Revised Version (British and American) "thirty"; the King James Version, the Revised Version margin "captains"), mighty men of David. He is said to have slain 300 (800 in 2Sa 23:8) at one time, i.e. one after another.
Jashobeam
Dweller among the people; or to whom the people turn, the Hachmonite (1 Chr. 11:11), one of David’s chief heroes who joined him at Ziklag (12:6). He was the first of the three who broke through the host of the Philistines to fetch water to David from the well of Bethlehem (2 Sam. 23:13-17). He is also called Adino the Eznite (8).
(to whom the people turn), named first among the chief of the mighty men of David. (1 Chronicles 11:11) (B.C. 1046.) He came to David at Ziklag. His distinguishing exploit was that he slew 300 (or 800,) (2 Samuel 23:8) men at one time.
the people sitting; or captivity of the people
קָרְחִי (Qorchiy) is an adjective meaning 'Korahite,' referring to descendants of Korah, a figure from the tribe of Levi. The term is derived from קֹרַח (Korah), and it identifies individuals associated with him, as noted in Exodus 6:21. The entries collectively emphasize its patronymic nature, linking it to the lineage of Korah.
קָרְחִי adj.gent. of קֹרַח
base
H7145 קָרְחִי adj. gent. of קֹרַח
7145 Qorchiy kor-khee'
patronymic from 7141; a Korchite (collectively) or
descendants of Korach:--Korahite, Korathite, sons of Kore,
Korhite.
see HEBREW for 07141
קׇרְחִי (qor.chi) — Korahite.
Someone descended from Korah who was a man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.21;
son of: Izhar (H3324);
brother of: Nepheg (H5298), Zichri (H2147) and Shelomith (H8019A);
father of: Assir (H0617), Elkanah (H0511) and Ebiasaph (H0043)
Group of qo.rach (קֹ֫רַח "Korah" H7141I)
§ Korahite = "one of Korah"
descendants of Korah the son of Levi
HTd/Ngmpa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ngmpa
Korahites
That portion of the Kohathites that descended from Korah. (1.) They were an important branch of the singers of the Kohathite division (2 Chr. 20:19). There are eleven psalms (42-49; 84; 85; 87; 88) dedicated to the sons of Korah.
(2.) Some of the sons of Korah also were “porters” of the temple (1 Chr. 9:17-19); one of them was over “things that were made in the pans” (31), i.e., the baking in pans for the meat-offering (Lev. 2:5).