Eliphalet

Eliphalet is a biblical masculine name found in the Hebrew Bible, used in some English versions of the Old Testament as a variant of Eliphelet, notably to refer to a son of King David.

Etymology

The name derives from the Hebrew אֱלִיפֶלֶט (Elifelet), meaning “my God is deliverance,” from the elements ʾel (“God”) and palaṭ (“to deliver, to rescue”). The variant form Eliphalet arose probably due to a phonetic shift in the English pronunciation of the biblical name.

Biblical and Historical Context

In the Old Testament, Eliphelet (or Eliphalet) is the name of several individuals. One is a son of David, listed in 2 Samuel 5:16 and 1 Chronicles 3:8 among those born to David in Jerusalem. Another appears in Ezra 8:13 as part of a group returning from exile. The use of Eliphalet in certain Bible translations (such as the King James Version in some places) reflects a textual tradition where the name was rendered as such.

The root name David means “beloved” in Hebrew, and his lineage made the name Eliphalet part of the royal family tree.

Notable Bearers

Though rare, the name Eliphalet gained some usage in early America, particularly in New England. Notable bearers include:

• Eliphalet Adams (1677–1753), a Congregational minister and missionary to Native Americans.
• Eliphalet Dyer (1721–1807), a Connecticut delegate to the Continental Congress and a framer of the Articles of Confederation.
• Eliphalet Nott (1773–1866), president of Union College and inventor of the first cast-iron stove intended for anthracite coal.

Cultural Significance

Eliphalet is chiefly known as a biblical name of minor significance, but its classical and sounding style brought it into the early American naming tradition, often amid the wave of Old Testament names used in Puritan communities. Today it is considered highly uncommon but occasionally appears as a curiosity or as a family heirloom name.

Related Forms

The original Hebrew forms include 'Elifalet and 'Elifelet (with the apostrophe representing the glottal stop of the aleph).

• Meaning: My God is deliverance
• Origin: Hebrew, via Old Testament texts
• Type: Biblical first name
• Usage: English, New England colonial