Boy Old Testament Rare
Elon
oak; grove; strong
אֵלוֹן e.lon
Elon (Hebrew: אֵלוֹן, e.lon) means “oak; grove; strong”, by traditional interpretation. Three men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a foreigner. In 2025 it was given to 90 children in the United States. Around 3,633 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Abdon.
Which Elon?
Three men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Elon
father of Basemath
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Elon
son of Zebulun
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Elon
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 6 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 3 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 90 | Steady |
| All-time total | 3,633 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 239 in 2021 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 26:34 |
| Last appears | Judges 12:12 |
| Cross-references | 50 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jahleel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Zebulun.
- Sered attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Zebulun.
- Jahleel co-occurrence Appears with Jahleel in Genesis 46.
- Sered co-occurrence Appears with Sered in Genesis 46.
- Basemath co-occurrence Appears with Basemath in Genesis 26.
- Judith co-occurrence Appears with Judith in Genesis 26.
- Beeri co-occurrence Appears with Beeri in Genesis 26.
- Adah co-occurrence Appears with Adah in Genesis 26.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.26.34;
father of: Adah (H5711H)
§ Elon = "terebinth, mighty"
1) Hittite, father-in-law of Esau
2) second son of Zebulun
3) Zebulonite judge of Israel
4) town in Dan
Elon the Hittite was the father of Basemath, one of Esau's wives.
The biblical story
Elon the Hittite is mentioned in Genesis as the father of Basemath, one of Esau's wives. Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, married two Hittite women, Judith and Basemath, causing grief to his parents (Gen.26.34). Basemath is specifically identified as the daughter of Elon the Hittite. The Hittites were a people group living in Canaan during the time of the patriarchs. Esau's marriage to Hittite women was seen as a departure from the custom of marrying within the family or tribe, as his parents had desired. In Gen.36.2, Basemath is again mentioned as one of Esau's wives, reaffirming her identity as the daughter of Elon the Hittite. No further information is provided about Elon's life, occupation, or role in the Hittite community. His mention in the text serves primarily to identify the background of one of Esau's wives and to highlight the cultural and familial tensions surrounding Esau's marriages.
Key verses
Elon appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Genesis 26:34 -
Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
Genesis 36:2
Show all 2 references
Genesis (2)
- Genesis 26:34
- Genesis 36:2