1662. Eliakim

Lexical Summary

Eliakim: Eliakim

Original Word: Ἐλιακείμ
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Eliakim
Pronunciation: eh-lee-ah-KEEM
Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-ak-ime')
KJV: Eliakim
NASB: Eliakim
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H471 (אֶליָקִים - Eliakim))]

1. Eliakim, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Eliakim.

Of Hebrew origin ('Elyaqiym'); Eliakim, an Israelite -- Eliakim.

see HEBREW 'Elyaqiym'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Elyaqim
Definition
Eliakim, two Isr.
NASB Translation
Eliakim (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1662: Ἐλιακείμ

Ἐλιακείμ (אֶלְיָקִים whom God set up), Eliakim, one of the ancestors of Christ: Matthew 1:13; Luke 3:30.

STRONGS NT 1662a: ἕλιγμα [ἕλιγμα, ἑλιγματος, τό (ἑλίσσω), a roll: John 19:39 WH text, where others read μίγμα, which see (Athen., Anth. P., others.)]

Topical Lexicon

Form and Occurrences in the New Testament

The Greek name Ἐλιακίμ (Eliakim) appears three times in the Greek New Testament, twice in Matthew 1:13 and once in Luke 3:30. In each case it lies within a genealogy of Jesus Christ, providing an essential link in the inspired record of His lineage.

Hebrew Background and Meaning

Eliakim transliterates the Hebrew אֶלְיָקִים (Elyaqim), “God establishes” or “God raises up.” The name reflects confidence that the Lord actively “sets up” those who fit into His redemptive purposes—a concept that undergirds its New Testament usage.

Eliakim in the Genealogy of Jesus

Matthew’s royal genealogy traces Jesus through Solomon and the kings of Judah; Luke’s priestly-prophetic genealogy reaches back to Adam. Both lines converge in Eliakim:
• Matthew 1:13 – “Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.”
• Luke 3:30 – “the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,”

1. Historical reliability – The inclusion of identical names in two independent genealogies supports the coherence of Scriptural testimony.
2. Continuity of covenant – Eliakim stands between post-exilic leaders (Zerubbabel) and later descendants, illustrating how God preserved the messianic promise despite national upheaval.
3. Divine initiative – The very meaning of the name underscores that Jesus’ ancestry did not unfold by chance; God “raised up” each generation to bring forth His Christ (Luke 1:68-69).

Old Testament Figures Named Eliakim

While Strong’s Greek 1662 points specifically to the New Testament occurrences, the Old Testament supplies rich background:
• Eliakim son of Hilkiah (Isaiah 22:20-25; 36:3) – Governor over Hezekiah’s house, described as a faithful “peg in a firm place.”
• Eliakim son of Josiah (2 Kings 23:34) – Later renamed Jehoiakim by Pharaoh Neco.
• Eliakim the priestly descendant in Nehemiah 12:41.

These earlier Eliakims foreshadow qualities fulfilled perfectly in Christ: trustworthy stewardship, divinely appointed authority, and priestly representation. Their presence also shows how common the name was among faithful Israelites, further anchoring the New Testament Eliakim in historical reality.

Typological and Theological Significance

1. Foreshadowing Christ’s sure rule – Isaiah’s promise that Eliakim would bear “the key of the house of David” anticipates Revelation 3:7, where Jesus claims the same key. The genealogical Eliakim sits on the timeline between these prophecies, reinforcing their messianic unity.
2. Proof of covenant faithfulness – Every occurrence of Eliakim in Jesus’ lineage testifies that the Lord “remembers His covenant forever” (Psalm 105:8).
3. Encouragement for believers – If God can “raise up” a name as obscure as Eliakim to ensure His word, He can establish His purposes in every disciple.

Lessons for Ministry

• Hidden faithfulness matters – Eliakim is never spotlighted for deeds, yet his place is indispensable. Ministry often unfolds in unseen faithfulness that God alone records.
• God builds generationally – Healthy discipleship looks beyond immediate results to the impact on future generations, trusting the Lord to “establish” each link.
• Christ-centered reading of Scripture – Every name, even a brief genealogy entry, drives the storyline toward Jesus, inviting ministers to preach the whole counsel of God.

Summary of Key References

Matthew 1:13; Luke 3:30; Isaiah 22:20-25; 2 Kings 23:34; Revelation 3:7.

Forms and Transliterations

Ελιακειμ Ἐλιακείμ Ἐλιακεὶμ Ἐλιακίμ Ἐλιακὶμ Eliakim Eliakím Eliakìm

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:13 N
GRK: ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἐλιακίμ Ἐλιακὶμ δὲ
NAS: the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim
KJV: Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim
INT: was father of Eliakim Eliakim moreover

Matthew 1:13 N
GRK: τὸν Ἐλιακίμ Ἐλιακὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησεν
NAS: of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father
KJV: Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
INT: Eliakim Eliakim moreover was father of

Luke 3:30 N
GRK: Ἰωνάμ τοῦ Ἐλιακὶμ
NAS: the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
KJV: which was [the son] of Jonan, which was [the son] of Eliakim,
INT: of Jonam of Eliakim

Strong's Greek 1662
3 Occurrences

Ἐλιακίμ — 3 Occ.