Bible Dictionary
Elkanah
Elkanah was the father of Samuel and the husband of Hannah and Peninnah. The name was also borne by several Levites and other men in Israel’s history.
Definition
Elkanah is a name meaning “God has possessed” or “God-created.” It was borne by several men, most notably the father of Samuel. Other bearers included Levites, a son or descendant of Korah, a warrior of David, a court official, and a gatekeeper.
Biblical Usage
Elkanah, father of Samuel, had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah was Samuel’s mother, and Elkanah and Hannah brought the young Samuel to Shiloh and left him there as an offering to the Lord. Other Elkanahs appear in Levitical, military, and royal records.
Historical Background
The Elkanah who was Samuel’s father was an Ephrathite living at Ramah and was described as a man of wealth and position. Other men of the same name belonged to Levitical and Korahite lines.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>el-ka'-na ('elqanah, "God has possessed"):</p><p>(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.</p><p>(2) The second son of Korah (Ex 6:24), who escaped the fate of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Nu 26:11).</p><p>(3) One "next to the king" in Jerusalem in the time of Ahaz; slain by one Zichri of Ephraim in war with Pekah (2Ch 28:7).</p><p>(4) One of the Korahites among David's "mighty men" (1Ch 12:1,6).</p><p>(5) A Levite, possibly the same as (2) above (1Ch 6:23,15,36).</p><p>(6) Another Levite of the same line (1Ch 6:26,35).</p><p>(7) Another Levite, ancestor of Berechiah (1Ch 9:16).</p><p>(8) Another Levite (if not the same as (4) above), one of the "doorkeepers for the ark" (1Ch 15:23).</p><p>F. K. Farr</p>