Who was Elam?

The story of Elam

Elam is the name of several men in the Bible and of a land and nation east of Babylonia. The first man is a son of Shem, son of Noah. Genesis lists him first among Shem's five sons: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram (Genesis 10:22).

1 Chronicles repeats the list (1 Chronicles 1:17). The land of Elam lay east of Babylonia, in what is now southwestern Iran. Chedorlaomer king of Elam leads a coalition of four kings against five in the days of Abram (Genesis 14:1; Genesis 14:9).

The prophets speak of Elam often. Isaiah names it among the lands from which the Lord will recover the remnant of his people (Isaiah 11:11). He also pictures Elam bearing the quiver in battle (Isaiah 22:6).

Jeremiah delivers an oracle against Elam: the Lord will break its bow, scatter its people and set his throne there (Jeremiah 49:35-38). He also promises to bring again its captivity in the latter days (Jeremiah 49:39). Ezekiel shows Elam and her multitude slain and gone down to the pit (Ezekiel 32:24).

Daniel places Shushan in the province of Elam (Daniel 8:2). Other men named Elam include a Benjamite listed in 1 Chronicles 8:24. Another is a Korahite gatekeeper, the fifth son of Meshelemiah (1 Chronicles 26:1-3).

Elam is also an ancestral house of the returning exiles, numbering 1,254 (Ezra 2:7). A separate group called the other Elam has the same number (Ezra 2:31). Jeshaiah son of Athaliah comes up with Ezra from this family with seventy males (Ezra 8:7).

Shechaniah of the sons of Elam confesses that the people have taken foreign wives (Ezra 10:2). Several sons of Elam are listed among those who had done so (Ezra 10:26). An Elam among the chief of the people seals the covenant in Nehemiah's day (Nehemiah 10:14).

An Elam also takes part in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:42).

First mention

Genesis 10:22

Appearances in the Bible

27 mentions

Questions about Elam