Boy Old Testament Rare
Elnathan
God hath given; the gift of God
אֶלְנָתָן el.na.tan
Elnathan (Hebrew: אֶלְנָתָן, el.na.tan) means “God hath given; the gift of God”, by traditional interpretation. Five men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 21 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Appears with Achbor in Jeremiah 26.
Which Elnathan?
Five men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Elnathan
son of Achbor
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Elnathan
father of Nehushta
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Elnathan
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Elnathan
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Elnathan
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 5 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 5 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 21 | Falling |
| All-time total | 406 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 40 in 2013 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | GA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Kings 24:8 |
| Last appears | Jeremiah 36:25 |
| Cross-references | 74 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Delaiah co-occurrence Appears with Delaiah in Jeremiah 36.
- Hananiah co-occurrence Appears with Hananiah in Jeremiah 36.
- Shemaiah co-occurrence Appears with Shemaiah in Jeremiah 36.
- Nehushta co-occurrence Appears with Nehushta in 2 Kings 24.
- Zedekiah co-occurrence Appears with Zedekiah in Jeremiah 36.
- Achbor co-occurrence Appears with Achbor in Jeremiah 26.
- Gemariah co-occurrence Appears with Gemariah in Jeremiah 36.
- Eliezer co-occurrence Appears with Eliezer in Ezra 8.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ki.24.8;
father of: Nehushta (H5179)
§ Elnathan = "God has given"
1) king Jehoiachin's maternal grandfather
2) three chief men in Ezra's time
3) son of Achbor, a military commander under Jehoiakim
Elnathan was the father of Nehushta, the mother of King Jehoiachin of Judah.
The biblical story
Elnathan is mentioned as the father of Nehushta, who was the mother of King Jehoiachin of Judah (2Ki.24.8). Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah, was a king of Judah who reigned for a brief period of three months before being deposed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II. Elnathan's mention in this context provides insight into the family background of Jehoiachin and his mother. As the father of a queen mother, Elnathan likely held a position of influence and prominence in the royal court. However, the Bible does not provide any additional information about Elnathan's life, his role in the kingdom, or his relationship with his daughter and grandson. His inclusion in the text serves primarily to establish the genealogical connection between Jehoiachin and his mother, Nehushta.
Key verses
Elnathan appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
2 Kings 24:8
Show all 1 reference
2 Kings (1)
- 2 Kings 24:8