Elishah

Elishah appears in the Table of Nations as a son of Javan and as the eponym of a maritime region whose dyed cloth reached Tyre. The name designates both the man and the islands associated with his line.

A Son of Javan

In the genealogy of Japheth, Elishah heads the list of Javan's sons: "And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim" (Gen 10:4). The Chronicler repeats the line word for word: "And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim" (1Ch 1:7).

The Isles of Elishah

The geographic name resurfaces in the lament over Tyre, where the merchant city's awnings come from across the sea: "Of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt was your sail, that it might be to you for an ensign; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was your awning" (Eze 27:7). Elishah is named for its blue and purple cloth, prized enough to canopy the great Phoenician trading ship.