Elkanah

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew ’Elqānāh (“God has acquired/created”), indicating divine possession or granting.
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (genealogical reference in Judah’s monarchy).
• Main References: 1 Samuel 1–2; 1 Chronicles 6:27–28, 33–38.
• Key Connections: Husband of Hannah and Peninnah; father of Samuel; linked to Levitical/Kohathite genealogy; associated with worship at Shiloh.

Who was Elkanah?

Elkanah was a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim, identified as an Ephraimite (1 Sam. 1:1).
He had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, and was the father of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:2, 20).
He regularly traveled to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the LORD (1 Sam. 1:3).
Chronicles situates his family line within the Levitical (Kohathite) genealogy connected to temple singers (1 Chron. 6:33–38).

Key Events & Achievements

• Annual worship at Shiloh: Went up yearly to sacrifice where Eli’s sons served as priests (1 Sam. 1:3).
• Participation in Samuel’s dedication: Supported Hannah’s vow as Samuel was brought to the house of the LORD (1 Sam. 1:21–28).
• Household worship and offerings: Offered portions during sacrificial meals within his family setting (1 Sam. 1:4–5).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Elkanah is remembered for maintaining regular worship practices at Shiloh and for his family’s place in Israel’s sacred history through Samuel.

Key Verse

"Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh." — 1 Samuel 1:3, ESV