Boy Old Testament Rare
Eliam
the people of God
אֱלִיעָם e.li.am
Eliam (Hebrew: אֱלִיעָם, e.li.am) means “the people of God”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 1,085 children in the United States, ranking 313. Use is rising. Around 4,439 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Abimelech.
Which Eliam?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Eliam
father of Bathsheba
-
Eliam
son of Ahithophel
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 4 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 1,085 | Rising |
| All-time total | 4,439 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 1,085 in 2025 | Its highest year on record |
| Ten-year trend | +1196% | Change in share of births |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 11:3 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 11:36 |
| Cross-references | 42 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Hepher co-occurrence Appears with Hepher in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Ahijah co-occurrence Appears with Ahijah in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Eliphelet co-occurrence Appears with Eliphelet in 2 Samuel 23.
- Ahasbai co-occurrence Appears with Ahasbai in 2 Samuel 23.
- Bathsheba co-occurrence Appears with Bathsheba in 1 Chronicles 3.
- Shobab co-occurrence Appears with Shobab in 1 Chronicles 3.
- Shammua co-occurrence Appears with Shammua in 1 Chronicles 3.
- Pelonites co-occurrence Appears with Pelonites in 1 Chronicles 11.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.11.3;
father of: Bathsheba (H1339); also called Ammiel at 1Ch.3.5;
Also named: am.mi.el (עַמִּיאֵל "Ammiel" H5988J)
§ Eliam = "God of the people" or "God is kinsman"
1) Bathsheba's father
2) a Gilonite warrior of David
Eliam, also known as Ammiel, was the father of Bathsheba, who later became King David's wife.
The biblical story
Eliam, also referred to as Ammiel, is mentioned in 2Sa.11.3 and 1Ch.3.5 as the father of Bathsheba. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men. David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and after discovering that she was pregnant, he arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle. David then married Bathsheba, and their first child died as a consequence of David's sin. Later, Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon, who would succeed David as king. The name Eliam means "God of the people," while Ammiel means "my kinsman is God." The reason for the variation in Eliam's name is not explicitly stated in the biblical text.
Key verses
Eliam appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath–sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
2 Samuel 11:3 -
And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath–shua the daughter of Ammiel:
1 Chronicles 3:5
Show all 2 references
2 Samuel (1)
- 2 Samuel 11:3
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 3:5