Eliakim

Eliakim is a masculine Hebrew name used in the English Bible, meaning "God raises" from the Hebrew roots אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God" and קוּם (qum) meaning "to raise".

Etymology

The name is composed of two elements: El, the Hebrew word for God, and qum, meaning "to raise, arise." Together, the meaning is understood as "God raises up" or "God raises." It is linguistically related to the Old Testament name 'Elyaqim in Biblical Hebrew. The root name Hezekiah also shares a theophoric element but with a different meaning: "Yahweh strengthens."

Biblical Figure

In the Old Testament, Eliakim is the name of the master of King Hezekiah's household, mentioned in 2 Kings 18:18 and Isaiah 22:20. He was a high official who held the keys of the House of David and was known for his faithful service during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Additionally, another prominent bearer is Jehoiakim (originally named Eliakim, as per 2 Kings 23:34), whom Pharaoh Necho made king of Judah, giving him the new name Jehoiakim.

Modern Israeli Moshav

In modern Israel, Eliakim is a moshav (cooperative agricultural settlement) located in the Menashe Heights, under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. According to the Wikipedia extract, as of 2024 it had a population of 943. The moshav was founded in 1949 by Jewish refugees from Yemen on the lands of the depopulated Palestinian village of Umm az-Zinat. It was named after Jehoiakim (who was originally named Eliakim), the biblical king of Judah. Originally a moshav, it converted to a communal settlement in 1970 but reverted to being a moshav in 2008.

Ein bedeutender archäologischer Fund in Eliakim ist eine große Grabhöhle mit einer Inschrift in samaritanischer Schrift, die „El'azar, Sohn des Azariah“ lautet. Die Höhle enthält drei Grabtruhen und einen Loculus (Nischengrab), was auf antike jüdische Bestattungstraditionen hinweist.

Notable Resident

The singer Boaz Mauda, winner of season 5 of Kokhav Nolad (Israel's version of Pop Idol), resided at Eliakim.

• Meaning: "God raises"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Usage regions: English Bible, modern Israel (as place name)