ELKANAH (Hebr. 'Elqanah, 'God has possessed'). — Father of the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1-2; 1 Chron. 6:27). Of Levite descent, though not of the priestly line, he dwelt at Ramathaim in the tribe of Ephraim, where his ancestor Zuph had settled. In accordance with the custom of the time, he had two wives: Hannah (q.v.), who was barren and whom he loved in preference, almost as if to compensate for her misfortune, and Peninnah, who was fertile. A most pious Yahwist, he went yearly to the Tabernacle at Shiloh to offer sacrifices; he brought the young Samuel there to dedicate him to the Lord, and later Hannah bore him five more sons. Samuel’s sanctity was certainly fostered by the example of his father’s faith.
Seven other Elkanahs are mentioned in the Old Testament:
1) the second son of Korah (1 Chron. 6:24);
2) the son of Asir, son of Korah (1 Chron. 6:23);
3) the father of Zuph Shuaḥ (ibid., 6:25–35);
4) an ancestor of Berechiah, son of Asir, who dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites (ibid., 9:16);
5) a descendant of Korah among David’s warriors (ibid., 12:6);
6) one of the two gatekeepers for the ark (ibid., 13:23), perhaps identical with the preceding;
7) the chief minister of Ahaz slain by Zechri (2 Chron. 28:7).