"For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Ethan Meaning in the Bible
Ethan
boy
Ethan means "strong," "enduring," or "firm." It genuinely appears in the King James Bible: Ethan the Ezrahite is listed among the wisest men of his age, second only to Solomon — "he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite" (1 Kings 4:31) — and Psalm 89 carries his name in its title.
Is Ethan in the Bible?
Yes — Ethan appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 4:31.
Pronunciation:/EE-thun/
OriginHebrew
MeaningStrong; Enduring; Firm
What does Ethan mean?
Ethan is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Strong; Enduring; Firm". Ethan means "strong" or "enduring" in Hebrew. The most notable biblical Ethan is Ethan the Ezrahite, described in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of the wisest men in the ancient world — yet Solomon's wisdom surpassed even his.
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What does Ethan mean in the Bible?
Ethan means "Strong; Enduring; Firm" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Ethan means "strong" or "enduring" in Hebrew. The most notable biblical Ethan is Ethan the Ezrahite, described in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of the wisest men in the ancient world — yet Solomon's wisdom surpassed even his.
Ethan the Ezrahite is credited with writing Psalm 89, a magnificent meditation on God's covenant with David. The psalm begins with joyful praise — "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever" — but transitions into a raw lament about apparent covenant failure. This emotional range makes Psalm 89 one of the most theologically complex in the Psalter.
The name Ethan also appears in genealogical lists among the Levitical musicians appointed by David to serve in the tabernacle. These Ethans were worship leaders whose enduring faithfulness to their calling matched the meaning of their name.
Ethan has consistently ranked among the top 10 baby names in English-speaking countries for over a decade. Its combination of biblical heritage, strong meaning, and contemporary sound makes it one of the most popular biblical names in modern use.
Where does Ethan appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Ethan is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Kings 4:31. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."
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Which books of the Bible mention Ethan?
Ethan is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Ethan?
Ethan — 'enduring' — was wise enough to question God honestly in Psalm 89. His life teaches that true strength includes the courage to bring our deepest doubts to God while still declaring His faithfulness.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Ethan:
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A symbol of God's strength, stability, refuge, and unchanging faithfulness.
What names are related to Ethan?
Names like Ethan
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Strong; Enduring; Firm" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Ethan
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Ethan
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Ethan name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Ethan appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 4:31.
Ethan means "Strong; Enduring; Firm." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 1 Kings 4:31, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Ethan comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Strong; Enduring; Firm." It appears in the King James Bible, including 1 Kings 4:31.
Common questions about the name Ethan
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Ethan?
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 Ethan?
You can read every verse where Ethan 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.