Lexical Summary Ilay: Ilai Original Word: עִילַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ilai From alah; elevated; Ilai, an Israelite -- Ilai. see HEBREW alah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition one of David's heroes NASB Translation Ilai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֵילַי proper name, masculine one of David's heroes 1 Chronicles 11:29, Ηλει, Ηλα (= צַלְמוֺן 2 Samuel 23:28). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Ilai appears once in Scripture, in the roll of David’s mighty warriors: “Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite” (1 Chronicles 11:29). Though mentioned only briefly, this placement within the elite cadre known as “the Thirty” firmly embeds him in the narrative of David’s rise and the consolidation of the united monarchy. Historical Setting within David’s Reign 1 Chronicles recounts the moment when representatives from every tribe gathered at Hebron to confirm David as king (1 Chronicles 11:1–3). The chronicler then catalogs the seasoned fighters who had stood with David through his wilderness years and into his early reign. Ilai’s name surfaces in that list, situating him in the tumultuous period between Saul’s downfall and the establishment of a stable kingdom centered in Jerusalem. The presence of warriors from various tribes reveals the breadth of support God raised up for David; Ilai served as part of that God-ordained provision. Association with the Ahohite Clan The designation “the Ahohite” links Ilai to the descendants of Ahoah, a Benjaminite ancestor (1 Chronicles 8:4). The Ahohites produced at least two noted soldiers (Ilai and Zalmon, 2 Samuel 23:28), illustrating how God used even relatively small clans in crucial roles. Benjamin, once maligned for civil strife (Judges 20), now yields loyal men who stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel’s anointed king, foreshadowing the fuller reconciliation accomplished in Messiah. Participation among “the Thirty” “The Thirty” were seasoned veterans recognized for extraordinary courage, tactical skill, and unflinching loyalty to David. Their exploits—breaking through Philistine lines for water (2 Samuel 23:16) or defending lentil fields (2 Samuel 23:11–12)—epitomize sacrificial service. By including Ilai in this register, Scripture silently affirms his valor and steadfastness, even though no individual deed is singled out. His life reminds readers that God records faithful service whether or not human history preserves the details. Spiritual Lessons 1. Loyalty to God’s Anointed. Ilai’s allegiance to David models devotion to the Lord’s chosen ruler and, by extension, to Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matthew 1:1). Integration in Redemptive History The chronicler’s restoration-era audience was rebuilding national identity around covenant faithfulness. By spotlighting men like Ilai, the narrative calls later generations to courageous obedience, echoing through the centuries to the church. Each faithful soldier under David anticipates the spiritual army Christ is assembling—ordinary people empowered for extraordinary service through the Spirit (Acts 1:8). Key Themes for Ministry • Valor rooted in covenant loyalty Related Scriptures 2 Samuel 23:8–39; 1 Chronicles 8:3–6; Psalm 110:3; Acts 13:22 Forms and Transliterations עִילַ֖י עילי ‘î·lay ‘îlay iLaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 11:29 HEB: סִבְּכַי֙ הַחֻ֣שָׁתִ֔י עִילַ֖י הָאֲחוֹחִֽי׃ ס NAS: the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, KJV: the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, INT: Sibbecai the Hushathite Ilai the Ahohite |
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