אֱלִיקָא
𐤀𐤋𐤉𐤒𐤀
Eliqa
H470 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name which likely means 'El (God) is enduring' or 'El is steadfast.' Used as a proper noun to denote an Israelite figure mentioned in King David’s elite military force. The semantic range is that of a theophoric personal name, encapsulating a relationship with, or a quality ascribed to, the deity El.
Semantic Range
personal name, theophoric name, 'El is enduring,' 'God is steadfast,' proper noun designating an individual
Root / Etymology
From the roots אֵל ('El', referring to God) and likely the root קוה (to wait, hope, be enduring/steadfast), though the exact formation is uncertain. The etymology cited in Strong’s linking קוֹא, 'to vomit' or 'reject,' is unlikely and linguistically questionable. Name likely built on the common theophoric pattern of combining El with an adjective or verbal form expressing a quality or wish.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible (2 Samuel 23:25 = 1 Chronicles 11:27) as one of David’s warriors. As with many Israelite names from the monarchic period, it blends a divine name element ('El') with an additional root. While Strong's linked the second element to rejection, modern lexicography sees such a negative meaning as unlikely in a personal name and instead prefers a reading of durability, hope, or steadfastness, based on better-supported roots. English translations typically transliterate the name, so the semantic nuance is often lost. There is no evidence for significant evolution in meaning or expanded use in later literature. The use of this name does not denote a geographic or ethnic identity beyond its Israelite context in the monarchic period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אֵל and קוֹא; God of rejection; Elika, an Israelite; Elika.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אל, קוה (ʾ-l; q-w-h) — might, strength; waiting, hoping, enduring, steadfastness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H470-01 |
אֱלִיקָ֖א | eliqa | HNp |
Elika | El-is-steadfast | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H470-01 |
2 Samuel 23:25 | אֱלִיקָ֖א | eliqa | HNp |
Elika | El-is-steadfast |