443. Elzabad

Lexical Summary

Elzabad: Elzabad

Original Word: אֶלְזָבָד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Elzabad
Pronunciation: el-zaw-BAWD
Phonetic Spelling: (el-zaw-bawd')
KJV: Elzabad
NASB: Elzabad
Word Origin: [from H410 (אֵל - God) and H2064 (זָבַד - endowed)]

1. God has bestowed
2. Elzabad, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Elzabad

From 'el and zabad; God has bestowed; Elzabad, the name of two Israelites -- Elzabad.

see HEBREW 'el

see HEBREW zabad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from el and zabad
Definition
"God has given," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Elzabad (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֶלְזָבָד proper name, masculine (God has given, compare Θεόδωρος זַבְדִּיאֵל, זְבַדְיָה)

a. one of David's band of Gadites 1 Chronicles 12:12.

b. Korahite 1 Chronicles 26:7.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Theological Insight

Elzabad (Hebrew: אֶלְזָבָד, “God has bestowed” or “God has endowed”) encapsulates the conviction that every ability or opportunity for service is a divine gift rather than a human achievement. The two Old Testament bearers of the name illustrate this conviction in both military and priestly spheres during the reign of David.

Elzabad among David’s Mighty Men (1 Chronicles 12:13)

1 Chronicles 12 records the warriors who defected to David while he was still a fugitive from Saul. Elzabad is listed among these “mighty, experienced warriors, ready for battle, expert with shield and spear” (1 Chronicles 12:8). By joining David at Ziklag, Elzabad publicly acknowledged the Lord’s anointing on David long before the throne in Jerusalem was secure. His presence shows:
• Loyalty to God’s chosen king—an early affirmation of the Davidic covenant that would climax in the Messiah (2 Samuel 7).
• Courage to break with Saul’s deteriorating regime, risking life and family ties for righteousness’ sake.
• Unity across tribal lines, for the chapter gathers Benjaminites, Gadites, and others around a common faith in God’s promise.

Elzabad the Gatekeeper (1 Chronicles 26:7)

A second Elzabad appears among the sons of Shemaiah, grandson of Obed-edom, whose household was honored with custodianship of the temple gates. The Chronicler notes that these men were “capable men with the strength to serve” (1 Chronicles 26:8). Elzabad’s ministry highlights:
• Faithfulness in seemingly ordinary but sacred duties. Guarding the thresholds preserved the sanctity of worship and safeguarded the treasures dedicated to the Lord (1 Chronicles 26:20).
• Generational blessing. Obed-edom had earlier welcomed the ark (2 Samuel 6:11–12); now his grandson stands watch at the temple, proving how one family’s reverence can ripple through successive generations.
• Complementarity of roles in God’s kingdom. While one Elzabad fought on open battlefields, the other secured holy space—both labors necessary for the flourishing of a covenant people.

Doctrinal and Devotional Themes

1. God-given endowment. The name itself reminds believers that gifts of valor (Romans 12:6–8) or stewardship (1 Corinthians 4:1–2) originate in divine grace.
2. Readiness to heed God’s unfolding purpose. Like the first Elzabad, Christians are called to discern and align with what God is doing, even when it challenges prevailing loyalties.
3. Generational discipleship. The second Elzabad encourages families to cultivate environments where the fear of the Lord is cherished and transmitted (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).
4. Diverse service, singular glory. Whether stationed on the front lines or at the gates, every believer’s work contributes to the advance of God’s kingdom (Colossians 3:23–24).

Summary

Elzabad, in both occurrences, embodies the truth that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). One bore arms to establish David’s rule; the other bore keys to preserve Davidic worship. Together they testify that God endows His servants with the exact capacities required for the moment, calling them to exercise those gifts with courage, vigilance, and generational faithfulness.

Forms and Transliterations

אֶלְזָבָ֖ד אֶלְזָבָ֛ד אלזבד ’el·zā·ḇāḏ ’elzāḇāḏ elzaVad

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 12:13
HEB: יֽוֹחָנָן֙ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י אֶלְזָבָ֖ד הַתְּשִׁיעִֽי׃
INT: Jehohanan eight Elzabad ninth

1 Chronicles 26:7
HEB: וּרְפָאֵ֨ל וְעוֹבֵ֧ד אֶלְזָבָ֛ד אֶחָ֖יו בְּנֵי־
NAS: Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers,
KJV: and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren
INT: Rephael Obed and Elzabad brothers men

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 443
2 Occurrences

’el·zā·ḇāḏ — 2 Occ.