In modern times, new parents love using a unique name for naming their baby. In addition, many of these same parents enjoy choosing names from the Bible. Some names are more common than others, but people world-wide need names for their new babies and what is common to you or me could sound foreign in other parts of the world. As such, I have compiled a list of elegantly beautiful names to choose from. I have included their biblical meaning, location in the Bible, a bit about the real person, and some of my own commentary.
This list contains “E” names. Future lists will explore other letters of the alphabet.
Ebed means “servant.” Judges 9:26-40 and Ezra 8:6. Ebed was the son of Jonathan and the father of Gaal, who led a revolt in Shechem against Abimelech. Ebed was also a clan leader who returned from exile under Ezra. In modern times, Ebed would buy a bed by a bid on Ebay.
Ebiasaph means “my father has collected or taken in.” 1 Chron. 6:23. Ebiasaph was a levite descended from Kohath. Long meaning for a short name.
Eglah means “heifer, young cow.” 2 Sam. 3:5. Eglah was David’s wife and mother of their son Ithream. Was being named after a cow an honor back then?
Ehi means “my brother.” Gen. 46:21. According to Genesis, Ehi was one of Benjamin’s sons. However, in Num. 26:38-40, Ehi is missing from the family tree. Was Ehi killed? Or was he overlooked? It’s a biblical mystery!
Elasah means “God has made.” Jer. 29:3. Elasah was the son of a royal scribe named Shaphan. He delivered Jeremiah’s message to an exiled community in Babylon while on a mission for King Zedekiah.
Eli means “high”. 1 sam. 1:3 and 4:18. Eli was the priest at Shiloh who served as Samuel’s custodian. He fathered Hophni and Phinehas. Before he died, Eli heard the news of his sons’ deaths and that the Philistines captured the ark of God. What a terrible thing to hear before dying!
Elika means “my God has arisen” or “my God has vomited.” 2 Sam. 23:25. Elika was one of David’s military heroes from the village of Harod. Good thing that vomit falling from the sky was not one of the seven plagues!
Ephraim means “two fruit land” or “two pasture lands.” Gen. 41:52. Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph. His mother was the Egyptian Asenath, daughter of the priest of On. Ephraim played an important role in Israelite history.
Esther means “a star” in Persian. Esther 2:7. Esther was not her biblical name at birth. As such, some scholars believe that her name is linked to the planet Venus and the goddess Ishtar.
Eunice means “victorious.” 2 Tim. 1:5. Paul commended both Eunice and her mother for their faith. She was a Jewish woman with a Gentile husband.
Ezekiel means “God will strengthen.” 2 Kings 24:14-16, 18. Ezekiel was a prophet from the sixth-century B.C. who ministered to the Judean exiles in Babylon. He was a son of Buzi, taken captive along with 10,000 others, including skilled political and military leaders and craftsmen. He married, ministered from his own home, and was not allowed to mourn the loss of his wife despite her sudden death.
Do any of these names strike your fancy? In other words, which is your favorite from this list and why? Or do you know of a different biblical “E” name I should add? Please leave your comments below, and “Share this” with others!For more info:
Biblical D names
Biblical C names
Biblical B names
Biblical A names
Holman Illustrated Pocket Bible Dictionary, Holman Bible Publishers, 2004.
