"The name Elah appears in the biblical narrative."
Scripture (KJV)
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Elah Meaning in the Bible
Elah
unisex
Elah means "Terebinth tree", a unisex name of Hebrew origin. Elah appears in the King James Bible, and Scripture is the passage most often tied to it. The name Elah, meaning 'Terebinth tree', carries spiritual significance rooted in Scripture.
Is Elah in the Bible?
Yes — Elah appears in the King James Bible, including Scripture.
Pronunciation:/EE-lah/
OriginHebrew
MeaningTerebinth tree
What does Elah mean?
Elah is a unisex name of Hebrew origin meaning "Terebinth tree". The valley where David defeated Goliath, named for its majestic trees.
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Editor’s reflection
A tree, a valley, and a king who died drinking — three very different things wear this name in the KJV.
Elah (Hebrew אֵלָה) is the ordinary Hebrew word for a large spreading tree, usually translated 'oak' or 'terebinth.' It is a botanical word before it is ever a personal name, and that matters for how it is used: Hebrew often names places after the tree that marks them, the way English names places after a ford or a bridge.
The most famous Elah is not a man at all. The valley of Elah is where Israel and the Philistines drew up their lines and where a shepherd boy picked five smooth stones out of the brook: 'Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines' (1 Samuel 17:19). If you have heard the name anywhere, it is almost certainly from the David and Goliath account.
There is also a King Elah of Israel, son of Baasha, and his story is short and unflattering. He reigned two years, and Zimri killed him while he was 'drinking himself drunk' in the house of his steward in Tirzah (1 Kings 16:9). A third Elah is the father of Hoshea, the last king of the northern kingdom, and a fourth is a duke of Edom in Genesis 36:41.
As a modern name Elah is chosen almost entirely for the sound and for the valley, not for the king — and that is a defensible choice. It is short, soft, and easy in English, and it sits near Ella and Eliana without copying either. Parents should just know that the Hebrew word means the tree, and any 'goddess' or 'oath' meaning you find online is confusion with the unrelated words elah (Aramaic for God) and alah (to swear).
“And they pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.”
Why parents choose Elah today
- •Two syllables, no nickname required, easy to spell on first hearing
- •Carries a real KJV setting rather than an invented meaning
- •Close in sound to Ella and Eliana without being either
What does Elah mean in the Bible?
Elah means "Terebinth tree" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Elah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Elah is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Scripture. Each verse is quoted in full below.
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What is the spiritual meaning of Elah?
The name Elah, meaning 'Terebinth tree', carries spiritual significance rooted in Scripture.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Word Meaning
Selah (סֶלָה (Selah))
A musical or liturgical pause meaning 'stop and reflect'
Word Meaning
Tree (עֵץ (etz))
A living, rooted growth — symbolizing life, fruitfulness, wisdom, and the cross.
Strong's
Strong's H5542 — Selah
סֶלָה (Selah) • A musical or liturgical pause meaning 'stop and reflect'
Strong's
Strong's H6086 — Tree
עֵץ (etz) • A living, rooted growth — symbolizing life, fruitfulness, wisdom, and the cross.
Dream Meaning
Biblical Meaning of a Tree in a Dream (KJV)
The righteous life, generations, or judgment on fruitlessness.
Bible Quiz
Jesus' Nature Miracles Bible Quiz
Stilling storms, walking on water, and the glory of the mount.
Names like Elah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Terebinth tree" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Elah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Elah
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Elah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes, in several places. Elah is a king of Israel (1 Kings 16:8-10), the father of King Hoshea, and an Edomite duke. It is better known as the valley of Elah, where David fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The word itself is Hebrew for a large tree, usually rendered oak or terebinth.
Elah means "Terebinth tree." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Scripture, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Elah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Terebinth tree." It appears in the King James Bible, including Scripture.
Common questions about the name Elah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Elah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Elah?
You can read every verse where Elah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.