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Elkanah
The devout husband of Hannah and father of Samuel.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 2
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Family & lineage
Tribe & people
BibleOf the tribe of Ephraim.
1 Samuel 1:3
Life, role & deeds
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersThe Jewish historian Josephus recounts the story of Elkanah, his two wives Hannah and Peninnah, and the birth of Samuel, though his account is a first-century retelling of the biblical narrative rather than independent evidence.
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 5.342–347 (Niese) = 5.10.2 (Whiston), recounting Elkanah, Hannah and Peninnah, and Samuel's birth; Loeb Classical Library vol. V (Antiquities 5–8), trans. H. St. J. Thackeray & Ralph Marcus, 1934; a first-century retelling of 1 Samuel 1, not independent evidence.
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe Hebrew name Elkanah (Elqanah) combines the divine element El (God) with the verbal root qanah, so it is generally rendered God has created or God has acquired/possessed, the same root behind Eve's naming of Cain in Genesis 4:1.
Standard Hebrew onomastic analysis of the elements El + q-n-h; cf. lexica such as HALOT and BDB.
Where in scripture
1 SamuelFamily
In their own words — 2 recorded sayings
“Then her husband Elkanah said to her, Hannah, why are you weeping? and why are you taking no food? why is your heart troubled? am I not more to you than ten sons?” — 1 Samuel 1:8
“And her husband Elkanah said to her, Do whatever seems right to you, but not till you have taken him from the breast; only may the Lord do as he has said. So the woman, waiting there, gave her son milk till he was old enough to be taken from the breast.” — 1 Samuel 1:23
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).