In the genealogical records of the tribe of Ephraim, we find a lineage marked by both great tragedy and remarkable resilience. Eleadah is a figure who appears in the wake of the heartbreak we previously explored—the death of Elead and Ezer. His name serves as a testimony to the restorative power of God within a grieving family.
The Lineage of Ephraim
Eleadah was a descendant of Ephraim, the son of Joseph. His place in the genealogy is recorded in the first book of Chronicles, a book dedicated to tracing the families of Israel to ensure their heritage was preserved after the Babylonian exile.
“And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,” (1 Chronicles 7:20, KJV)
(Note: In the King James Version, the name is rendered as Eladah, while in the original Hebrew and other study references, it is frequently spelled Eleadah.)
The Meaning: “God Hath Adorned”
The name Eleadah (Hebrew: ‘El’adah) carries a beautiful and significant meaning: “God has adorned” or “God has equipped.” This is particularly striking when considering the context of his family history. Eleadah was born into a tribe that had recently suffered the “evil” mentioned in the life of Beriah—the violent loss of sons at the hands of the men of Gath. For a father or grandfather to name a child “God Hath Adorned” suggests a shift from mourning to a recognition of God’s grace. It implies that despite the losses the family sustained, God was once again “adorning” the house of Ephraim with new life and honor.
A Link to Greatness
While Eleadah himself is not credited with specific military or prophetic acts in the text, he represents a vital link in the chain that leads to one of Israel’s greatest heroes. The genealogy of which he is a part continues down through several generations until it reaches Joshua the son of Nun.
By preserving the name of Eleadah, the Scriptures demonstrate that every generation was necessary to produce the leader who would eventually cross the Jordan and claim the Promised Land. Eleadah was one of the “stones” in the foundation of the tribe that would eventually lead the conquest of Canaan.
The Message of the Genealogy
The life of Eleadah teaches the believer several quiet but profound truths:
- God Restores Beauty for Ashes: As his name suggests, God can take a family line that has been stripped by tragedy (like the death of Elead) and “adorn” it once again with His favor.
- The Importance of Continuity: God’s work is rarely completed in a single generation. It requires the steady, faithful living of men like Eleadah to carry the promise forward to the next generation.
- A Personal God: Even in a list of names that can seem repetitive to the casual reader, the specific meaning of Eleadah’s name reminds us that God is intimately involved in the naming and the lives of His people.