Places of the Bible

Elam

Southwestern Iran · Old Testament · 27 verses

Elam was an ancient land and kingdom east of the lower Tigris in southwestern Iran, with Susa as a chief city. Its people were among the oldest civilizations of the region. The name appears in Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Ezra and 5 more in the King James text.

About Elam

Elam was an ancient land and kingdom east of the lower Tigris in southwestern Iran, with Susa as a chief city. Its people were among the oldest civilizations of the region.

Its place in the story

Elam appears in the table of nations as a son of Shem and as a real kingdom throughout Scripture. Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, campaigned in Canaan in the days of Abraham. The prophets, including Jeremiah and Isaiah, spoke oracles concerning Elam.

Elam in Scripture (KJV)

“The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.”
“And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;”
“With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.”
“The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.”
“And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,”
“Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.”
“The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.”
“The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.”

Elam is named 27 times in Scripture; 8 shown above.

Where it leads

Elam is named among the nations, and Elamites are listed at Pentecost as hearing the gospel, showing the reach of salvation in Christ to distant peoples.

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People also ask

Where is Elam in the Bible?

Elam was an ancient land and kingdom east of the lower Tigris in southwestern Iran, with Susa as a chief city. Its people were among the oldest civilizations of the region. The name appears in Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Ezra and 5 more in the King James text.

What happened at Elam?

Elam appears in the table of nations as a son of Shem and as a real kingdom throughout Scripture. Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, campaigned in Canaan in the days of Abraham. The prophets, including Jeremiah and Isaiah, spoke oracles concerning Elam.

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Scripture verbatim KJV. Place facts curated; any coordinates via Wikidata (CC0).

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