Bible Dictionary
Elhanan
Elhanan was a warrior of David who killed a Philistine giant; the parallel accounts identify the opponent differently. Another Elhanan, son of Dodo, was one of David’s notable warriors.
Definition
Elhanan was a warrior of David who killed a Philistine giant. Another Elhanan, son of Dodo, was one of David’s notable warriors. The accounts concerning the giant differ in whether the opponent is called Goliath or Lahmi, the brother of Goliath.
Biblical Usage
Elhanan’s victory is recorded in the narratives of David’s wars. The parallel accounts identify the slain Philistine differently, while David is separately identified as the killer of Goliath in the account of his combat with the Philistine.
Historical Background
Elhanan’s exploit occurred late in David’s reign. The name is explained as meaning “whom God gave” or “the grace of God.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom God has graciously bestowed. (1.) A warrior of the time of David famed for his exploits. In the Authorized Version (2 Sam. 21:19) it is recorded that “Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath.” The Revised Version here rightly omits the words “the brother of.” They were introduced in the Authorized Version to bring this passage into agreement with 1 Chr. 20:5, where it is said that he “slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath.” Goliath the Gittite was killed by David (1 Sam. 17). The exploit of Elhanan took place late in David’s reign. (2.) The son of Dodo, and one of David’s warriors (2 Sam. 23:24).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(the grace of God).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>el-ha'-nan ('elchanan, "whom God gave"):</p><p>(1) A great warrior in the army of David who slew a Philistine giant. There is a discrepancy between 2Sa 21:19 and 1Ch 20:5. In the former passage we read, "And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan, the son of Jaare-oregim the Beth-lehemite, slew Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam"; while in the latter we are told, "And there was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam." Most modern critics prefer as the original text of the latter part of the two discrepant statements the following: "and Elhanan the son of Jair the Beth-lehemite slew Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam." It is contended that the Chronicler slightly modified the text before him, in order to bring it into harmony with 1Sa 17, where David is said to have slain a Philistine giant Goliath. There is almost unanimous agreement that "Jaare-oregim" is a corrupt reading, and the "Jair" in 1Ch is to be preferred. From Jerome to the present some scholars identify Elhanan with David, and thus remove the discrepancy. Ewald ( Hist, III, 70) argued that the name "Goliath" was inserted in 1Sa 17 and 21 by the narrators whose compositions are embodied in Samuel, Elhanan being the real victor over Goliath, while David's antagonist was simply called "the Philistine."</p><p>(2) The son of Dodo of Bethlehem, one of David's mighty men (2Sa 23:24; 1Ch 11:26). Some moderns think that there was only one Elhanan, and that he was the son of Dodo of the clan of Jair.</p><p>John Richard Sampey</p>