Meaning & History
'Elifelet is the Hebrew form of Eliphelet. It derives from the original Hebrew name meaning “my God is deliverance,” formed from elements (ʾel) “God” and (palaṭ) “to deliver, to rescue.” In the Hebrew Bible, this name appears as denoting one of King David’s sons, known in English translations as Eliphelet.
As a biblical personal name, 'Elifelet reflects the theophoric pattern common in ancient Hebrew naming, where divine attributes are invoked in the name’s meaning. The component palaṭ also links to the Canaanite custom of petitioning a deity for rescue or deliverance, especially in times of war.
Apart from David's son, the Hebrew Bible records no other prominent bearers, making 'Elifelet a relatively obscure though meaningful name with roots deeply bound in Israelite heritage. Its variant forms include 'Elifalet and the better-known Anglicized Eliphalet, which occasionally appears in American post-colonial families with Puritan inclinations.
In biblical tradition, names incorporating the ʾel element were typological of the Second Temple period when inclusive naming gained wide use. 'Elifelet repeats this spiritual security pattern, closely associated with Davidic themes of kingship from David’s lineage (whose name conveys “beloved”).
Etymology
The name 'Elifelet is composed of the roots ʾel, meaning “God,” and palaṭ, meaning “to deliver, to rescue.” The conjunction insists upon divine deliverance as the specific trait attributed to Yahweh in the name’s act of expression.
Cultural and Historical Context
The only noted mention springs from First Chronicles 3:8, where 'Elifelet is among later born sons to the royal house of the united Israelite kingdom. No full life narrative exists, inferring a collateral role recorded mainly for parahistorical datings versus exemplary scope. Nevertheless, the term also appears in several family heads of border tribes across Ezra’s times, often connected to David’s reign under thematic lines of covenant renewal patterns important to post-exilic restoration.