Man living at the time of Exile and Return
Elnathan, a teacher, was among those sent by Ezra to find Levites to serve in the Temple.
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Three men with this name occur in the same verse (Ezr.8.16), mentioned among the men sent by Ezra to Casiphia to find Levites for Temple service. This Elnathan is specifically identified as a "teacher," distinguishing him from the other two Elnathans mentioned in the same verse. The designation of Elnathan as a teacher suggests that he held a position of authority and was recognized for his knowledge and ability to instruct others. Like the other leading men, this Elnathan was entrusted with the task of recruiting Levites to assist in the Temple service. The presence of a teacher among the group sent by Ezra underscores the importance of not only gathering Levites but also ensuring that they were properly educated and prepared for their roles in the Temple.
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1 verse in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H0494
Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.