2 Samuel 23:34
New International Version
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

New Living Translation
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah; Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;

English Standard Version
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Berean Standard Bible
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Berean Literal Bible
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maachathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

King James Bible
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

New King James Version
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

New American Standard Bible
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

NASB 1995
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

NASB 1977
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Legacy Standard Bible
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Amplified Bible
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the son of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel of Giloh,

Berean Annotated Bible
Eliphelet (God is deliverance) son of Ahasbai (brother of my encompassers) the Maacathite (she has pressed), Eliam (God is kinsman) son of Ahithophel (my brother is folly) the Gilonite (gentilic of preceding),

Christian Standard Bible
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

American Standard Version
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

English Revised Version
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Eliphelet (son of Ahasbai and grandson of a man from Maacah), Eliam (son of Ahithophel) from Gilo,

International Standard Version
Ahasbai the Maacathite's son Eliphelet, Ahithophel the Gilonite's son Eliam,

NET Bible
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

New Heart English Bible
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Webster's Bible Translation
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

World English Bible
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai, son of the Maachathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Berean Literal Bible
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maachathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Young's Literal Translation
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai, son of the Maachathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Smith's Literal Translation
Eliphalet, son of Ahasbai, son of the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Eliphelet the son of Aasbai the son of Machati, Eliam the son of Achitophel the Gelonite,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Eliphelet, the son of Ahasbai, the son of Maacath, Eliam, the son of Ahithophel, the Gilonite,

New American Bible
Eliphelet, son of Ahasbai, from Beth-maacah; Eliam, son of Ahithophel, from Gilo;

New Revised Standard Version
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai of Maacah; Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Eliphlat, son of Khusabi, who was from Makath, Eliam, son of Akhithuphil the Galyunite
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Aliphaleth the son of Asbites, the son of the Machachachite; Eliab the son of Achitophel the Gelonite.

Additional Translations ...



Context
David's Mighty Men
33son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, 34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,…

Cross References
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite,

Joshua 13:13
but the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites. So Geshur and Maacath dwell among the Israelites to this day.

Deuteronomy 3:14
Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day.

2 Samuel 10:6
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.
Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

2 Samuel 11:3
So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

2 Samuel 15:12
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

2 Samuel 16:23
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.
1 Chronicles 11:35
Ahiam son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur,

1 Chronicles 27:8-9
The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. / The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

2 Samuel 23:8-39
These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. …

1 Chronicles 11:10-47
Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. / This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. …

1 Chronicles 12:1-40
Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): / Ahiezer their chief and Joash, who were the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite; …

1 Kings 1:8
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:10
But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.

1 Kings 1:26
But me your servant he has not invited, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.

1 Kings 1:32-40
Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. / “Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. / There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ …

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.


Treasury of Scripture

Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Eliam

2 Samuel 11:3
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

2 Samuel 15:31
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

2 Samuel 17:23
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

Jump to Previous
Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Eliam Eli'am Eliphelet Eliph'elet Gilonite Ma'acah Maacathite Maachathite
Jump to Next
Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Eliam Eli'am Eliphelet Eliph'elet Gilonite Ma'acah Maacathite Maachathite
2 Samuel 23
1. David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises
6. The different state of the wicked
8. A catalogue of David's mighty men












Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite,

Eliphelet, whose name means “God is deliverance,” stood among David’s mighty warriors, men distinguished by courage and proven service. His Maacathite background, from Maacah, a small Aramean kingdom east of the Jordan, points to the presence of loyal foreigners within David’s forces, showing that David’s kingdom drew support beyond Israel’s tribal boundaries.

Jos 13:13 but the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites…
Deu 3:14 He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair…
2Sa 10:6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench…

Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Eliam, whose name means “God is my kinsman,” was the son of Ahithophel, David’s respected counselor who later joined Absalom’s rebellion. Eliam’s place among the mighty men reflects his own faithful service to David despite his father’s later betrayal. He was likely also the father of Bathsheba, linking Ahithophel to the family affected by David’s sin.

2Sa 11:3 So David sent and inquired about the woman,…
2Sa 15:12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, …
2Sa 16:23 Now in those days, the advice of Ahithophel was…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Eliphelet
A warrior listed among David's mighty men. His name means "God is deliverance," reflecting a common theme of reliance on God for salvation and strength.

2. Ahasbai
The father of Eliphelet. Not much is known about him, but his mention signifies the importance of lineage and heritage in biblical accounts.

3. The Maacathite
Refers to Eliphelet's origin from Maacah, a region or people group often associated with the Arameans, indicating a diverse background among David's warriors.

4. Eliam
Another of David's mighty men, known as the son of Ahithophel. His name means "God is my kinsman," suggesting a close relationship with God.

5. Ahithophel the Gilonite
A counselor of David who later betrayed him by siding with Absalom. His account is a cautionary tale about loyalty and the consequences of betrayal.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Heritage and Lineage
Understanding one's background and family history can provide insight into personal identity and spiritual legacy. Reflect on how your heritage influences your faith journey.

Diversity in God's Kingdom
The inclusion of individuals from various backgrounds among David's mighty men highlights the diversity within God's people. Embrace and celebrate the diversity within your faith community.

Loyalty and Betrayal
Ahithophel's account serves as a reminder of the importance of loyalty and the destructive nature of betrayal. Consider how you can cultivate loyalty in your relationships and guard against betrayal.

God as Deliverer
The names Eliphelet and Eliam both emphasize God's role as a deliverer and protector. Trust in God's deliverance in times of trouble and uncertainty.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 23:34?

2. How does 2 Samuel 23:34 highlight the importance of lineage in biblical leadership?

3. What can we learn about God's sovereignty from the genealogies in 2 Samuel 23?

4. How does 2 Samuel 23:34 connect with other genealogies in the Old Testament?

5. How can understanding biblical genealogies strengthen our faith and trust in God?

6. How does recognizing God's chosen leaders in 2 Samuel 23 inspire our daily walk?

7. Who are the individuals mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:34, and what is their significance?

8. How does 2 Samuel 23:34 fit into the context of David's mighty men?

9. What historical evidence supports the existence of the figures in 2 Samuel 23:34?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 23?


(34) Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai.--The reading in Chronicles is quite different: "Eliphal the son of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite," thus making two heroes instead of the one given here. So, also, instead of "Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite," Chronicles has Ahijah the Pelonite. In the latter case it seems likely that different persons are intended, one being mentioned in one list and the other in the other. It is interesting to know that a son of David's astute but treacherous counsellor was among his thirty heroes.

Verse 34. - Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite. In Chronicles this becomes "Elipha the son of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite." If the text here is correct, Eliphelet must be a native of Beth-Maachah, a town in Naphtali (2 Samuel 20:14). Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite. Instead of this, we find "Ahijah the Pelonite" in 1 Chronicles 11:36. Eliam is supposed by many to have been Bathsheba's father (see note on 2 Samuel 11:3; and for Ahithophel the Gilonite, note on ch. 15:12).

2 Samuel 23:34 names two real men whose courageous service to David demonstrates that:

• God’s kingdom welcomes the committed, whether native Israelite or foreign-born.

• Personal choices—good or bad—ripple through families and history, yet each person remains accountable for his own walk with the Lord.

• Scripture’s detailed record underscores that every act of loyalty is noticed and honored by God, encouraging modern believers to serve with the same steadfast devotion.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Eliphelet
אֱלִיפֶ֥לֶט (’ĕ·lî·p̄e·leṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 467: Eliphelet -- 'God is deliverance', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahasbai
אֲחַסְבַּ֖י (’ă·ḥas·bay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 308: Ahasbai -- an Israelite

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of the Maacathite,
הַמַּֽעֲכָתִ֑י (ham·ma·‘ă·ḵā·ṯî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4602: Maacathite -- inhabitant of Maacah

Eliam
אֱלִיעָ֥ם (’ĕ·lî·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 463: Eliam -- 'God is kinsman', an Israelite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahithophel
אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל (’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 302: Ahithophel -- an adviser of David

the Gilonite,
הַגִּלֹנִֽי׃ (hag·gi·lō·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1526: Gilonite -- an inhabitant of Giloh


Additonal Resources
2 Samuel 23:34 Blue Letter Bible
2 Samuel 23:34 Bible Gateway
2 Samuel 23:34 Bible.com

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2 Samuel 23:34 Study Bible
2 Samuel 23:34 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 23:34 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 23:34 French Bible
2 Samuel 23:34 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the son (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)

2 Samuel 23:33
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