Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:The name "Shaphat" is derived from the Hebrew root "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), meaning "to judge" or "he has judged." This name reflects a common practice in ancient Israel of naming individuals with a reference to divine judgment or justice.
Biblical References:1.
Shaphat, the Father of Elisha: Shaphat is most notably recognized as the father of Elisha, the prophet. Elisha was called by Elijah to be his successor while he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. The account of this calling is found in
1 Kings 19:19: "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him." This act signified the transfer of prophetic authority and the beginning of Elisha's ministry.
2.
Shaphat, the Spy from the Tribe of Simeon: Another individual named Shaphat is mentioned in the context of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. Shaphat, the son of Hori, represented the tribe of Simeon.
Numbers 13:5 states: "from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori." The mission of the spies was to assess the land and its inhabitants, but upon their return, ten of the spies, including Shaphat, gave a discouraging report, leading to the Israelites' prolonged wandering in the wilderness.
3.
Shaphat, a Leader in David's Administration: In the administration of King David, a Shaphat is listed as one of the officials.
1 Chronicles 27:29 mentions him in the context of overseeing the herds that grazed in Sharon: "Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon, and Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys." This role highlights the organized structure of David's kingdom and the importance of agricultural management.
Historical and Theological Significance:The individuals named Shaphat in the Bible are associated with significant events and roles in Israel's history. As the father of Elisha, Shaphat is connected to the prophetic tradition and the continuation of Elijah's ministry, which played a crucial role in guiding the nation of Israel back to the worship of Yahweh. The Shaphat who was a spy represents a moment of testing and failure for the Israelites, as their lack of faith led to a delay in entering the Promised Land. The Shaphat in David's administration reflects the importance of leadership and stewardship in the kingdom, emphasizing the need for faithful service in various capacities.
Cultural Context:The name Shaphat, meaning "he has judged," underscores the biblical theme of divine judgment and justice. In ancient Israel, names often carried significant meanings and were believed to reflect the character or destiny of the individual. The roles and actions of the various individuals named Shaphat illustrate the diverse ways in which God's purposes were worked out through His people, whether in prophetic ministry, national testing, or administrative leadership.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Shaphatjudge
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Shaphat(judge). 1.The Simeonite spy, son of Hori. (Numbers 13:5) (B.C. 1490).
- The father of the prophet Elisha. (1 Kings 19:18,19;2 Kings 3:11;6:31) (B.C. before 900.)
- One of the six sons of Shemaiah in the royal line of Judah. (1 Chronicles 3:22) (B.C. 350.)
- One of the chiefs of the Gadites in Bashan. (1 Chronicles 5:12) (B.C. 750.)
- The son of Adlai, who was over David's oxen in the valleys. (1 Chronicles 27:29) (B.C. 1020.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
Shaphat1. The father of Elisha,1 Kings 19:16.
2. A descendant of David,1 Chronicles 3:22.
3. A chief herdsmen of David in Bashan,1 Chronicles 27:29.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Judge.
(1.) One of the spies. He represented the tribe of Simeon (Numbers 13:5).
(2.) The father of Elisha (1 Kings 19:16-19).
(3.) One of David's chief herdsmen (1 Chronicles 27:29).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHAPHATsha'-fat (shaphat):iah, one of the 70 men whom Ezekiel saw, in his vision of the Temple, sacrificing to idols (Ezekiel 8:11).
(1) The Simeonite spy (Numbers 13:5, Saphat).
(2) The father of the prophet Elisha (1 Kings 19:162 Kings 3:11, Septuagint Saphath).
(3) A name in the royal genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 3:22).
(4) A Gadite (1 Chronicles 5:12).
(5) One of David's herdsmen (1 Chronicles 27:29).
Strong's Hebrew
8202.Shaphat -- "he has judged," five Israelites... 8201, 8202.
Shaphat. 8203 . "he has judged," five Israelites. Transliteration:
Shaphat Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-fawt') Short Definition:
Shaphat.
...8199.shaphat -- to judge, govern
... 8198, 8199.shaphat. 8200 . to judge, govern. Transliteration:shaphat Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-fat') Short Definition: judge.... 8198, 8199.shaphat. 8200...
5724. Adlay -- the father ofShaphat
... 5723, 5724. Adlay. 5725 . the father ofShaphat. Transliteration: Adlay
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-lah'-ee) Short Definition: Adlai....
4941. mishpat -- judgment
... Word Origin fromshaphat Definition judgment NASB Word Usage arrangements (1), case
(5), case* (1), cause (7), charge (1), claim (1), court (2), crimes (1...
8201. shephet -- judgment
... Word Origin fromshaphat Definition judgment NASB Word Usage judgment (1), judgments
(15). judgment. Fromshaphat; a sentence, ie Infliction -- judgment....
8200. shephat -- to judge
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding toshaphat Definition to judge NASB Word Usage
magistrates (1).... (Aramaic) corresponding toshaphat; to judge -- magistrate....
8203. Shephatyah -- "Yah has judged," the name of a number of Isr.
... Word Origin fromshaphat and Yah Definition "Yah has judged," the name of a number
of Isr. NASB Word Usage Shephatiah (13).... see HEBREWshaphat. see HEBREW Yahh....
8204. Shiphtan -- "judgment," a prince of Ephraim
... Word Origin fromshaphat Definition "judgment," a prince of Ephraim NASB Word Usage
Shiphtan (1).... Fromshaphat; judge-like; Shiphtan, an Israelite -- Shiphtan....
478. Elishaphat -- "God has judged," an Israelite
... Word Origin from el andshaphat Definition "God has judged," an Isr.... Elishaphat.
From 'el andshaphat; God of judgment; Elishaphat, an Israelite -- Elishaphat....
8196. shephot -- judgment, act of judgment
... Word Origin fromshaphat Definition judgment, act of judgment NASB Word Usage judgment
(1), judgments (1). judgment.... see HEBREWshaphat. 8195, 8196....
Library
God's Low Whisper
... of Damascus, and when you arrive there, anoint Hazael to rule over Aram, Jehu, the
son of Nimshi, to rule over Israel, and Elisha, the son ofShaphat, to be...
The Call of Elisha
... Prophets of the Northern Kingdom Chapter 17 The Call of Elisha. God had bidden Elijah
anoint another to be prophet in his stead. "Elisha the son ofShaphat . ....
There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None...
... I carried off from him. By Elisha son ofShaphat, I was beaten as with
rods, for he brought two dead men to life. By one staff I...
Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha
the son ofShaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room...
How Joram and Jehoshaphat Made an Expedition against the Moabites...
... And when one of the servants of Joram said that he had seen there Elisha, the son
ofShaphat, the disciple of Elijah, the three kings went to him, at the...
"What Doest Thou Here?"
... thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt
thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son ofShaphat of Abel...
Concerning the Wife of Solomon; Concerning his Wisdom and Riches...
... as far as Sidon, and had himself also married a daughter of Solomon's, whose name
was Basima; Banacates had the seacoast about Arce; as hadShaphat Mount Tabor...
Divine Calls.
... the thoughts of what he was leaving. "He found Elisha, the son ofShaphat,
who was ploughing . . . Elijah passed by him, and cast...
How Joppa was Taken, and Tiberias Delivered Up.
... another, the most potent men among the seditious made a sally upon them armed; their
leader was one whose name was Jesus, the son ofShaphat, the principal...
Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... says: Ch. vi..31. God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha
the son ofShaphat shall stand on him this day. One story...
Thesaurus
Shaphat (8 Occurrences)...SHAPHAT. sha'-fat (
shaphat):iah, one of the 70 men whom Ezekiel saw, in his vision
of the Temple, sacrificing to idols (Ezekiel 8:11).
...Shaphat (8 Occurrences).
...Eli'sha (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:16 and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel;
and Elisha the son ofShaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be...
Plead (64 Occurrences)
... Version that is clear modern English The most obscure instances are due to The King
James Version's employment of "plead" to translate the niphal ofshaphaT....
Adlai (1 Occurrence)
... ad'-la-i, ad'-li (`adhlay; Septuagint Adli and Adai, "lax, weary"): The father of
Shaphat, an overseer of David's herds in the lowlands (1 Chronicles 27:29)....
Hori (4 Occurrences)
... (2) A Simonite, father ofShaphat, one of the twelve spies (Numbers 13:5).... Numbers
13:5 Of the tribe of Simeon,Shaphat the son of Hori....
Valley (187 Occurrences)
... sible not to suspect that there is some connection between the name Jehoshaphat
and the name of a village near the head of this valley-Shaphat; perhaps at one...
Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)
... sible not to suspect that there is some connection between the name Jehoshaphat
and the name of a village near the head of this valley-Shaphat; perhaps at one...
Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary God his salvation, the son ofShaphat of Abel-meholah,
who became the attendant and disciple of Elijah (1 Kings 19:16-19)....
Shaphan (26 Occurrences)
Eli'jah (93 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son ofShaphat, who was
plowing, with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth; and...
Resources
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