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This guide is intended for visitors who want to learn more about the Bible. Please use the hyperlinks in the table above to navigate this page. If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this guide, please e-mail me by clicking on this link.

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Ebal was the third son of Shobal, a descendant of Seir the Horite. Genesis 36.23; 1 Chronicles 1.40

Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian eunuch, the rescuer of Jeremiah. After Zedekiah had allowed the prophet's enemies to cast him into a cistern, Ebed-melech persuaded the king of the imprudence of this action, and was authorised to retrieve Jeremiah. The prophet later foretold that, though Jerusalem would fall, Ebed-melech would personally be delivered from danger. Jeremiah 38.7-13; 39.16-18

Eber was the son of Shelah, a descendant of Noah, and father of Peleg and of Joktan. He is traditionally seen as the ancestor of all the peoples known as Hebrews. Genesis 10.21, 24, 25; 11.14-17; 1 Chronicles 1.18, 19; Luke 3.35

Eden was a Levite in the court of Hezekiah, one of those who undertook the cleansing of the temple. Eden also assisted Kore in the distribution of the produce given in the freewill offering sponsored by the king, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 29.12-19; 31.15

Edom was a name occasionally used for Esau, given subsequently to the people supposedly descended from him, and the area in which they settled. Genesis 36.1,8

Edom (the king of) was an unnamed ruler who refused the Israelites passage through his territory during the Exodus. Numbers 20.14-21

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Eglah was a wife of David, the mother of Ithream, his sixth son. 2 Samuel 3.5; 1 Chronicles 3.3

Eglon was a notoriously obese king of Moab. He oppressed the Israelites for eighteen years until murdered by Ehud, who came to him to pay tribute. Gaining a private audience with Eglon, Ehud stabbed him with a sword concealed under his clothes. Judges 3.12-25

Eglon (the king of) was one of a. number of petty tribal chieftains defeated by Joshua. Joshua 12.12

Egypt was the second son of Ham, the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim and Caphtorim. Like his sons, he was the supposed ancestor of the peoples named after him. Genesis 10.6,13,14; 1 Chronicles 1.8, 11, 12

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Ehi was the sixth son of Benjamin. Genesis 46.21

Ehud was the son of Gera, a Benjaminite and one of the heroes or “Judges” of early Israel. His assassination of Eglon of Moab ended The Hebrews' eighteen-year subjection to this tyrant. Coming to pay tribute to Eglon, the left-handed Ehud claimed to have a secret message for the king and secured a private audience in his roof chamber. Here he stabbed Eglon with a sword concealed beneath his clothes, leaving the chamber and locking its doors behind him so that Eglon's servants, on their return, believed their master to have locked himself in, to use the closet. By the time they had become sufficiently worried to unlock the doors (and discover the body of Eglon) Ehud had made good his escape. Next he mustered the Israelites in the region of Ephraim and led them against the Moabites whom he routed. Judges 3.15-4.1

Elah (1) was an Edomite chieftain, a descendant of Esau. Genesis 36.41; 1 Chronicles 1.52

Elah (2) was the son of Baasha, a king of Israel (ca. 877-876 B.C.). He reigned for less than two years before Zimri, one of his chariot commanders assassinated (and succeeded) him. 1 Kings 16.6-10

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Elam (1) was a son of Shem, and grandson of Noah, the supposed ancestor of the Elamites. Genesis 10.22; 1 Chronicles 1.17

Elam (2) was a priest or Levite who assisted Nehemiah in overseeing the celebrations that followed the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.42

Elasah was a son of Shaphan, one of the two bearers of Jeremiah's letter to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Jeremiah 29.3

Eldaah was the fifth son of Midian, a grandson of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah. Genesis 25.4; 1 Chronicles 1.33

Eldad was an Israelite elder, one of two (the other being Medad) who, during the Exodus, were inspired to prophesy ecstatically in the Israelite camp. Seventy other elders, having gone out to the tent in which was the Ark of the Covenant, had been moved to prophesy, but Eldad and Medad received the spirit of prophecy without leaving the camp. Joshua asked Moses to forbid this ecstatic utterance, but Moses expressed approval of it. Numbers 11.26-30

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Elead was the son of Ephraim. The men of Gath killed him, with his brother, Ezer, for trying to steal their cattle. 1 Chronicles 7.21

Eleazar (1) was the third son of Aaron and Elisheba, the father of Phinehas, and priest after his father (his elder brothers having both died prematurely). He helped conduct the census that followed the plague recorded in Numbers, and to allocate the territory of the Promised Land. Exodus 6.23, 25; 28.1; Leviticus 10.6, 7, 12-19; Numbers 3.2-4, 32; 4.16; 16.37-40; 20.25-28; 26.1-4, 60, 63; 27.2, 19, 21-23; 31.12, 13, 21-31, 41, 51, 54; 32.28; 34.17; Deuteronomy 10.6; Joshua 14.1; 17.4; 24.33; 1 Chronicles 6.3, 4, 50; 24.1-6

Eleazar (2) was the son of Abinadab, the custodian of the Ark of the Covenant for some twenty years, following its return from the Philistines. 1 Samuel 7.1, 2

Eleazar (3) was the son of Dodo; one of the three principal champions of David's bodyguard. 2 Samuel 23.9,10; 1 Chronicles 11.12-14

Eleazar (4) was the son of Phinehas, one of the witnesses who recorded the details of the silver, gold and sacred vessels that Artaxerexes donated to the temple in Jerusalem. Ezra 8.33, 34

Eleazar (5) was a priest or Levite who assisted in the celebrations that followed Nehemiah's restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.42

Eleazar (6) was the father of Matthan and son of Eliud, an ancestor of Joseph in Matthew's genealogy. Matthew 1.15

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Elhanan (1) was the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite warrior in the service of David, and famed for killing a Philistine giant from Gath. 2 Samuel gives his victim's name as “Goliath”, while the Chronicler refers to him as “Lahmi, brother of Goliath”. Perhaps Elhanan killed Goliath, whose name was then erroneously attributed to David's victim; perhaps the Chronicler gives the correct version of the facts. (Or perhaps “Goliath” was a traditional name for abnormally large Philistines or men of Gath). 2 Samuel 21.19; 1 Chronicles 20.5

Elhanan (2?) was a Bethlehemite warrior of David's bodyguard, the son of Dodo, according to the Chronicler. It may be that this is the same Elhanan as in 2 Samuel 21.19 and 1 Chronicles 20.5 and that the differing ascriptions of parentage are the result either of error, or of “son of” being used to mean “descendant of”. 1 Chronicles 11.26

Eli was the priest of Shiloh, the father of Hophni and Phinehas and tutor of Samuel. Eli appears to have been a good man, but ineffectual in curbing the excesses of his licentious sons. It was foretold first by an unnamed prophet, and subsequently divinely disclosed to Samuel, that Eli's house would be destroyed and his heirs forfeit the priesthood. It was further foretold that both sons of Eli would die on the same day, which was fulfilled when they fell in battle against the Philistines, who also captured the Ark of the Covenant. The shock of hearing of the ark's capture caused Eli to fall and his neck broke, fatally, because of his great weight. Eli had apparently been judge in Israel for forty years, and, at the time of his death, was ninety-eight. He was an ancestor of Abiathar, and the prophecy concerning the punishment of Eli's posterity was fulfilled long afterwards, when Solomon deposed Abiathar from office. 1 Samuel 1.3-4.18

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Eliab (1) was the son of Helon, a representative of Zebulun in Moses' census of Israel. Numbers 1.9; 2.7; 7.24-29; 10.16

Eliab (2) was the son of Pallu, the father of Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. Numbers 26.8,9

Eliab (3) was the eldest son of Jesse and brother of David, a soldier in Saul's army. Immediately before David killed Goliath, Eliab rebuked him for his inquisitiveness in leaving the flocks entrusted to him, to come and view the battle. 1 Samuel 16.6; 17.13, 28; 1 Chronicles 2.13

Eliab (4) was a Levitical musician in David's court, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 15.18,20; 16.5

Eliada (1) was a son of David, the tenth born in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 5.16; 1 Chronicles 3.8

Eliada (2) was a Benjaminite, a commander in Jehoshaphat's army, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 17.17

Eliahba was a Shaalbonite, one of the thirty soldiers of David's bodyguard. 2 Samuel 23.32; 1 Chronicles 11.33

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Eliakim (1) was the son of Hilkiah, an overseer of Hezekiah's household, one of three officials of Judah who held parley with the officers of Sennacherib, during their siege of Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18.18, 26, 27, 37; 19.2; Isaiah 37.2

Eliakim (2) was the original name of Jehoiakim, whom Pharaoh Neco made king of Judah in place of Jehoahaz. 2 Kings 23.34; 2 Chronicles 36.4

Eliakim (3) was a priest, an assistant of Nehemiah in the celebrations that followed the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.41

Eliakim (4) was the son of Abiud, father of Azor, and an ancestor of Joseph, in Matthew's genealogy. Matthew 1.13

Eliakim (5) was the son of Melea, father of Jonam, an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.30

Eliam (6) was the son of Ahithophel, a soldier of David's bodyguard. 2 Samuel 23.34

Eliasaph (1) was the son of Deuel (or Reuel*), the representative of Gad in Moses' census of the Israelites. Numbers 1.14; 2.14*; 7.42-47; 10.20

Eliasaph (2) was the son of Lael, the head of the Gershonite clan of Levites during the Exodus. Numbers 3.24

Eliashib was the grandson of Jeshua, and grandfather of Jehohanan. He was high priest, and assistant of Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Later Nehemiah rebuked him for permitting Tobiah the Ammonite to occupy a chamber in the temple precincts. Nehemiah 3.1; 12.22; 13-4-7

Elidad was the son of Chislon, the representative of Benjamin in Moses' division of the promised land. Numbers 34.21

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Eliel (1) was a Mahavite, a member of David's bodyguard according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 11.46

Eliel (2) was a member of David's bodyguard, according to the Chronicler; perhaps the same Eliel as in the previous verse, his name erroneously repeated. 1 Chronicles 11.47

Eliel (3) was the assistant of Conaniah and Shimei, a steward in Hezekiah's administration. 2 Chronicles 31.13

Eliezer (1) was a steward in Abraham's household, designated as his heir prior to the birth of Ishmael. Genesis 15.2-4

Eliezer (2) was the younger son of Moses, the father of Rehabiah. Exodus 18.4-6; 1 Chronicles 23.15,17

Eliezer (3) was a priest and musician of David's court, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 15.24

Eliezer (4) was the son of Zichri, commander of the Reubenites in David's army, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 27.16

Eliezer (5) was the son of Dodavahu, a prophet who criticised Jehoshaphat for his alliance with Ahaziah of Israel, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 20.37

Eliezer (6) was a Levite, an assistant of Ezra. Ezra 8.16

Eliezer (7) was the son of Jorim, father of Joshua and an ancestor of Joseph in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.29

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Elihoreph was the son of Shisha, a secretary in the court of Solomon. 1 Kings 4.3

Elihu (1) was a Judahite official in the reign of David. (According to the Chronicler, Elihu was David's brother.) 1 Chronicles 27.18

Elihu (2) was the son of Barachel, a descendant of Ram, a Buzite, who features in the book of Job. After Job had conversed with his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, Elihu (who had hitherto kept silence on account of his youth) argued with Job to justify God's dealings with men. The sections of Job involving Elihu are generally believed to be of later date than the other discourses of the book. Job 32.2-37.24

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Elijah was a prophet, from Tishbe in Gilead, an opponent of Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah began his public ministry, as recorded in the books of Kings, with a forecast of a long drought and famine, to show the ineffectuality of Baal, who was held by his worshippers to control the rain. The drought was ended in spectacular fashion by Elijah's contest with the priests of the Canaanite fertility god: to see whether Baal or the Lord would demonstrate his power by setting fire to the wood on which a bull had been laid for a burnt offering. The contest ended with the followers of Jahweh victorious, and the priests of Baal being slaughtered. Rain then fell, ending the drought, but Elijah was obliged to go into temporary hiding to avoid persecution at the hands of Jezebel, Ahab's wife. It was about this time that Elijah called Elisha to work with him. Following the affair of Naboth's vineyard, Elijah foretold the bloody end of Ahab's house and the violent death of Jezebel, who was to be eaten by dogs.

Many stories of miracles are associated with Elijah It is recorded that during the famine he was fed first by ravens, then from the small supply of food belonging to a widow of Zarephath which (in reward for her charity to Elijah) never diminished in quantity. The son of this woman, having died, was miraculously restored to life by the prophet's intercession. In the contest with Baal the issue was decided by Elijah's calling down fire from heaven, which consumed the sacrifice, laid on the altar of Yahweh. The final miracle recorded of Elijah concerns his departure from the world: not dying, in the normal fashion, he was carried up into heaven by a whirlwind. He had first told his disciple, Elisha, that such a departure would be a sign that God had blessed him (Elisha) with the same prophetic gifts as had been exercised by Elijah. 1 Kings 17.1-2 Kings 2.12; 9.36, 37; 2 Chronicles 21.12-15; Malachi 4.5; Matthew 11.14; 16.14; 17.3, 4, 10-12; 27.47-49; Mark 6.15; 8.28; 9.4, 5, 11-13; 1-5.35, 36; Luke 4.25, 26; 9.8, 19, 30-33; John 1.21, 25; Romans 11.2-4; James 5.17,18

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Elika was a Harodite, a soldier of David's bodyguard. 2 Samuel 23.25

Elimelech was the husband of Naomi, the father of Mahlon and Chilion, the husbands of Ruth and Orpah. All three women were widowed when Elimelech and his sons died in Moab. Ruth 1.2, 3; 4.9

Elioenai was a priest, an assistant of Nehemiah in his celebration of the restoring of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.41

Eliphal was the son of Ur, a soldier of David's bodyguard, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 11.35

Eliphaz (1) was the son of Esau by Adah, the father of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and (by his concubine Timna) of Amalek. Genesis 36.4,11,12; 1 Chronicles 1.35,36

Eliphaz (2) was a Temanite, one of the three friends or “comforters” of Job. Long portions of the book of Job are taken up by the discourses of Eliphaz. Job 2.11-13; 4.1-5.27; 15.1-35; 22.1-30; 42.7-9

Eliphelehu was a Levitical musician of David's court, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 15.18, 21

Eliphelet (1) was a son of David, the eleventh born in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 5.16; 1 Chronicles 3.6, 8; 14.7

Eliphelet (2) was the son of Ahasbai of Maacah, a soldier of David's bodyguard. 2 Samuel 23.34

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Elisha was the son of Shaphat, a prophet, initially the servant of Elijah. After his master's miraculous translation into heaven, Elisha, who was evidently familiar with the Israelite king and his military commanders, seems to have formed a kind of monastic community of prophets. In the wider political context, Elisha predicted the defeat of Moab by the combined armies of Israel (under Jehoram) and of Judah (under Jehoshaphat). He later forecast the failure of the siege levied on Samaria by Ben-hadad, whose death at the hands of Hazael Elisha also foretold. Having anointed Jehu as king of Israel in place of Joram, Ahab's heir (thereby fulfilling a command given to Elijah), Elisha died in the reign of Jehoash in Israel, foretelling on his deathbed Israel's impending triumph over Syria.

Like his master Elijah, Elisha was credited with performing many miracles: these include his purifying of contaminated water at Jericho; his cursing of some small boys who had jeered at him, and who were duly torn to pieces by bears; his provision of oil to pay off a widow's debts; his healing of the child of the woman with whom he lodged; his restoring of some spoiled pottage; his curing of Naaman's leprosy; his punishment with leprosy of his servant Gehazi (who had deceitfully sought payment from Naaman); the raising of an iron axe-head, and the blinding and capture of the Syrian army. Elisha's ability to work miracles apparently survived him: the body of a man (whose burial had been interrupted by the appearance of a Moabite raiding band) hastily thrown into Elisha's grave, was restored to life. 1 Kings 19.16, 19-21; 2 Kings 2.1-8.14; 9.1-3; 13.14-21; Luke 4.27

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Elishah was the eldest son of Javan, the grandson of Japheth. Genesis 10.4

Elishama (1) was the son of Ammihud, the representative of Ephraim in Moses' census of the Israelites. Numbers 1.10; 2.18; 7.48-53; 10.22

Elishama (2) was a son of David, the ninth born in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 1.16; 1 Chronicles 3.6, 8; 14.7

Elishama (3) was the Secretary in the administration of Jehoiakim. Elishama and his fellow officials presented the king with a scroll previously kept in Elishama's chamber, containing the prophecies of Jeremiah. Jehoiakim, however, burnt this. Jeremiah 36.12, 21

Elishama (4) was a priest, one of two who helped instruct the people of Judah, on the orders of Jehoshaphat, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 17.8

Elisheba was the daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, wife of Aaron, and subsequently mother of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Exodus 6.23

Elishua was a son of David, the sixth born to him in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 5.15; 1 Chronicles 15.5

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Eliud was the son of Achim and father of Eleazar, an ancestor of Joseph in Matthew's genealogy. Matthew 1.14, 15

Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron, the wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist. Elizabeth was a kinswoman of Mary, Jesus' mother. She had been barren for many years when it was revealed to her husband by an angel that she was to bear a son who was to be named John. After the child was conceived Mary, who had been told (also by an angel) of her relative's pregnancy, came to visit Elizabeth. Luke 1.5-61

Elizaphan (1) is an alternative form of the name of Elzaphan, son of Uzziel. Numbers 3.30, 31

Elizaphan (2) was the son of Parnach, the representative of Zebulun in Moses' division of the Promised Land. Numbers 34.25

Elizur was the son of Shedeur, the representative of Reuben in Moses' census of Israel. Numbers 1.5; 2.10; 7.30-35; 10.18

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Elkanah (1) was the second son of Korah. Exodus 6.24

Elkanah (2) was an Ephraimite, the son of Jeroham, husband of Hannah and Peninnah and father of Samuel. Elkanah and his wives made a yearly pilgrimage to Shiloh, where Samuel was later to serve. 1 Samuel 1.1-23; 2.11

Elkanah (3) was the Levitical gatekeeper and guardian of the Ark of the Covenant in David's reign, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 15.23

Elkanah (4) was the deputy of Ahaz, killed by the Ephraimite Zichri during Ahaz's war with Pekah, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 28.7

Elmadam was the son of Er and father of Cosam, an ancestor of Joseph in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.28

Elnathan (1, 2) was the name of two prominent Jews exiled in Babylonia, who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra. Ezra 8.16

Elnathan (3) was the son of Achbor, an official in the administration of Jehoiakim. On the king's orders he took charge of the extradition of the prophet Uriah, whom the king then had executed. Later Elnathan showed Jehoiakim the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecy and attempted, without success, to dissuade the king from burning it. Jeremiah 26.22, 23; 36.12-19, 25

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Elon (1) was a Hittite, father of one of the wives of Esau (she is named variously as Basemath and Adah). Genesis 26.34; 36.2

Elon (2) was the second son of Zebulun, a grandson of Jacob. Genesis 46.14; Numbers 26.26

Elon (3) was a descendant of Zebulun, the judge of Israel for ten years. Judges 12.11,12

Elpaal was the father of Eber, Misham and Shemed, the builders of Ono and Lod, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 8.12

Elpelet was the son of David, the seventh born in Jerusalem, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 14.5

Elymas is the alternative name used by Luke for the Jewish false prophet, Bar-jesus. Acts 13.8

Elzaphan was the son of Uzziel, a descendant of Kohath, Moses' cousin. Elzaphan and his brother Mishal carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu from the Israelite camp after they had been killed. Exodus 6.22; Leviticus 10.4, 5; Numbers 3.30

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Enoch (1) was the first son of Cain, the father of Irad. Genesis 4.17,18

Enoch (2) was the son of Jared; father of Methuselah. According to Genesis, Enoch did not die as other men, but was miraculously translated into heaven. Enoch is listed in Luke's genealogy of Joseph. Genesis 5.18-24; 1 Chronicles 1.3; Luke 3.37; Hebrews 11.5; Jude 14, 15

Enos is an alternative form of the name of Enosh, used by Luke in his genealogy of Joseph. Luke 3.38

Enosh was the son of Seth, and father of Kenan. Genesis 4.26; 5.6-11; 1 Chronicles 1.1; Luke 3.38

Epaenetus was a Christian, greeted by Paul in the closing paragraphs of his letter to Epaenetus's home church, in Rome. Romans 16.5

Epaphras was the founder of the church at Colossae, later a companion of Paul, and messenger to the Colossian church. Colossians 1.7,8; 4.12; Philemon 23

Epaphroditus was a Philippian Christian, the bearer of gifts from his church to Paul. On this journey Epaphroditus evidently fell seriously ill, but recovered from his sickness. Philippians 2.25-30; 4.18

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Ephah was the eldest son of Midian, grandson of Abraham and his second wife, Keturah. Genesis 25.4; 1 Chronicles 1.33

Epher was the second son of Midian, grandson of Abraham and his second wife, Keturah. Genesis 25.4; 1 Chronicles 1.33

Ephai was a Netophathite whose sons supported Gedaliah after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (in 586 BC). Jeremiah 40.8

Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph, grandson of Jacob and ancestor of the large tribe that bore his name. In his blessing of the two sons of Joseph, Jacob foretold how Ephraim would gain ascendancy over his elder brother, Manasseh. This was later fulfilled when the tribe of Ephraim became dominant in the central hill country of Palestine. Ephraim's name is derived from a Hebrew word meaning, “to be fruitful”. Ephraim became the father of Shuthelah, Becher and Tahan. Genesis 41.52; 46.20; 48.1-20; 50.23; Numbers 26.28, 35-37; 1 Chronicles 7.20-23

Ephron was the son of Zohar, a Hittite landowner, who sold Abraham a field in Machpelah, as a family burial plot. Genesis 23.8-17; 49.30; 50.13

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Er (1) was the eldest son of Judah, given in marriage to Tamar. He was killed, apparently by a miracle, his death being seen as a divine punishment of supposed wickedness. Genesis 38.3-7; 46.12; Numbers 26.19

Er (2) was the son of Joshua, and father of Elmadam, an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.28

Eran was the grandson of Ephraim, the head of the clan named after him. Numbers 26.36

Erastus was a companion of Paul and of Timothy with whom he was sent by Paul to evangelize in Macedonia. In the second of the letters to Timothy, Erastus is said to be in Corinth. He may be the same Erastus as became city treasurer in the town (probably Corinth) from which Paul wrote Romans. Acts 19.22; Romans 16.23; 2 Timothy 4.20

Eri was the fifth son of Gad, a grandson of Jacob. Genesis 46.16; Numbers 26.16

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Esarhaddon was an Assyrian king, the successor to his murdered father, Sennacherib. He appears to have been responsible for settling Semitic groups other than the Jews in Jerusalem in about 676 B.C. 2 Kings 19.37; Ezra 4.2; Isaiah 37.38

Esau was the elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, and brother of Jacob, the traditional ancestor of the Edomites. To explain Israel's later ascendancy over Edom, the stories in Genesis represent Esau as a dull-witted person, readily tricked by Jacob. While Jacob, who worked as a shepherd, was his mother's favourite, Isaac favoured Esau, a keen hunter. With the help of his mother Jacob tricked Easu out of his birthright and his paternal blessing. Later he upset his parents by taking two Hittite women, Judith and Basemath, as wives, though he tried to amend matters by also marrying Ishmael's daughter, Mahalath.

After the death of Isaac Esau pursued Jacob, meaning to punish him for his earlier deceptions, but the diplomatic Jacob managed to achieve a reconciliation with his estranged elder brother. Esau became the father of many children: Eliphaz by Adah; Reuel by Basemath, and Jeush, Jalam and Korah by Oholibamah, among others. Genesis 25.25-34; 26.34-28.9; 32.3-33.16; 35.29; 36.1-43; Deuteronomy 2.4; Joshua 24.4; 1 Chronicles 1.34, 35; Malachi 1.2, 3; Romans 9.13; Hebrews 11.20

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Esh-baal is the name used by the Chronicler for Ish-bosheth, Saul's youngest son. 1 Chronicles 8.33; 9.39

Eshcol was the brother of Mamre, an ally of Abraham in his action against the tribal confederacy led by Chedorlaomer. Genesis 14.13, 24

Esli was the son of Naggai, and father of Nahum, an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.25

Esther is the heroine of the Old Testament book named after her. She was the niece of Mordecai, a servant of Ahasuerus, whose queen Esther became after Vashti was deposed. Esther used her influence as consort to avert the persecution of the Jews planned by Haman. Esther 2.7-9.32

Ethan (1), an Ezrahite, was a celebrated sage to whom Solomon is favourably compared by the author of 1 Kings Chapter 4. Ethan is also credited with the composition of a psalm (89). 1 Kings 4.31; Psalms 89

Ethan (2) was the Son of Kishi (or Kushaiah), a descendant of Levi and a celebrated Levitical musician, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 6.44; 15.17

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Eubulus was a companion of Paul and Timothy. Paul sends Eubulus's greetings to Timothy in the closing paragraphs of his second letter to him. 2 Timothy 4.21

Eunice was a Jewess of Lystra, the daughter of Lois and mother of Timothy. Eunice was an early convert to the Christian faith. Acts 1 .1; 2 Timothy 1.5

Euodia was one of two women, Christians of Philippi, whom Paul requested, after a quarrel, to settle their differences amicably. Philippians 4.2

Eutychus was a young Christian of Troas, noted for his survival of a fall from a third-story window. He did this after falling asleep in the early hours of the morning, while listening to a sermon of Paul. Acts 20.9-12

Eve was the first woman in the Genesis creation narratives, the wife of Adam and mother of Cain, Abel and Seth. After the serpent had led her to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden, Eve persuaded her husband to do likewise. The name, Eve, is not used until Genesis 3.20. Genesis 1.27-30; 2.22-3.21; 4-1, 2, 25

Evi was one of five Midianite kings defeated by Moses and the Israelites. Numbers 31.8; Joshua 13.21

Evil-merodach was a Babylonian ruler who (ca. 560 B.C.) freed Jehoiachin from prison and granted him a regular allowance. 2 Kings 25.27-30; Jeremiah 52.31-34

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Ezbon was the fourth son of Gad. Genesis 46.16

Ezekiel was a priest and prophet whose public ministry spanned the thirty years from 593 to 563 B.C. Ezekiel foresaw the siege and capture of Jerusalem, after which he was taken into exile in Babylonia, where he compiled the book containing his oracles. In his prophecies to the exiled people of Israel, Ezekiel held out hope of a return to their former land, and a restoration of the temple and its worship. Ezekiel 1.1-48.35

Ezer (1) was the sixth son of Seir, the father of Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan. Genesis 36.21, 27; 1 Chronicles 1.38, 42

Ezer (2) was a son of Ephraim, killed by the men of Gath in a cattle raid. 1 Chronicles 7.21

Ezer (3) was the son of Jeshua, an assistant of Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3.19

Ezer (4) was a priest or Levite who assisted in the celebrations that followed Nehemiah's restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.42

Ezra was the son of Seraiah, a descendant of Aaron, and therefore a priest. In the reign of Artaxerxes he led a return of exiled Jews from Babylonia to Jerusalem, and restored the ritual of the rebuilt temple, reading in public from the book of the law. Ezra 7.1-10.16; Nehemiah 8.1-9.38

Ezri was the son of Chelub, an overseer of agricultural labourers in the reign of David, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 27.26

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