469. Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan
Lexical Summary
Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan: Elizaphan or Elzaphan

Original Word: אֱלִיצָפָן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Eliytsaphan
Pronunciation: eh-leet-saw-fawn
Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-tsaw-fawn')
KJV: Elizaphan, Elzaphan
NASB: Elizaphan, Elzaphan
Word Origin: [from H410 (אֵל - God) and H6845 (צָּפַן - stored)]

1. God of treasure
2. Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Elizaphan, Elzaphan

Or (shortened) Eltsaphan {el-tsaw- fawn'}; from 'el and tsaphan; God of treasure; Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan, an Israelite -- Elizaphan, Elzaphan.

see HEBREW 'el

see HEBREW tsaphan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from el and tsaphan
Definition
"God has protected," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Elizaphan (4), Elzaphan (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֱלִיצָפָן proper name, masculine (God has protected, compare Phoenician צפנבעל)

a. chief of the Kohathites Numbers 3:30; 1 Chronicles 15:8; 2Chronicles 29:13; = אֶלְצָפָן Exodus 6:22; Leviticus 10:4.

b. chief of Zebulun Numbers 34:25.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning of the Name

Elizaphan, rendered “Elzaphan” in some English translations, combines the Hebrew elements for “God” (’El) and “to protect, treasure, watch over.” In the biblical record the name aptly characterizes men who were entrusted with sacred responsibilities and leadership among God’s people.

Genealogical Notes

1. Elizaphan son of Uzziel (Exodus 6:22) belonged to the clan of Kohath, the second son of Levi. That line placed him in close kinship with Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
2. Elizaphan son of Parnach (Numbers 34:25) emerged from the tribe of Zebulun and served as a tribal leader during the distribution of Canaan.

Later Chronicler references (1 Chronicles 15:8; 2 Chronicles 29:13) most naturally point to descendants of the first Elizaphan who maintained the family tradition of Levitical service.

Service in the Wilderness: Chief of the Kohathites

Numbers 3:30 records Elizaphan as “leader of the families of the Kohathites.” The Kohathites were charged with carrying the most holy furnishings of the tabernacle once Aaron and his sons had covered them (Numbers 4:15). Elizaphan’s appointment indicates administrative ability and spiritual reliability, since mishandling the sacred vessels invited divine judgment (Numbers 4:20).

A Reverent Task after the Judgment on Nadab and Abihu

When Nadab and Abihu died for offering unauthorized fire, Moses called on “Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel” (Leviticus 10:4) to remove the bodies. The duty was delicate: it preserved Aaron and his remaining sons from corpse defilement during their inaugural priestly service (Leviticus 10:6-7). Elizaphan’s willingness underlines a reverent submission to God’s holiness while protecting the integrity of worship.

Leadership in the Allotment of Canaan

A second bearer of the name appears when Moses appointed commissioners to divide the land: “from the tribe of Zebulun, a leader, Elizaphan son of Parnach” (Numbers 34:25). His inclusion among the twelve provincial leaders testifies to the confidence placed in him for equitable and faithful implementation of the divine inheritance.

Participation in David’s Procession of the Ark

Centuries later, David organized a second, carefully regulated transport of the Ark of the Covenant. Among the Levites summoned were “Elizaphan and two hundred of his relatives” (1 Chronicles 15:8). Descended from Uzziel, this branch of Levites helped shoulder the Ark “as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 15:15). The text underscores a generational continuity of obedience to revealed procedure.

Role in Hezekiah’s Temple Purification

During Hezekiah’s reform, Levites “from the descendants of Elizaphan” are listed among those who consecrated themselves (2 Chronicles 29:13). They assisted in reopening and cleansing the temple after the neglect of earlier reigns. Their family’s association with earlier acts of reverence (Leviticus 10) gives historical weight to their renewed zeal.

Theological Observations

• Holiness and Order: Whether removing defiled bodies, transporting the Ark, or cleansing the temple, Elizaphan’s line demonstrates that holiness requires ordered obedience rather than human innovation.
• Generational Faithfulness: The recurrence of Elizaphan’s descendants in critical moments affirms that godly heritage is both privilege and responsibility (cf. Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
• Shared Leadership: The Zebulunite Elizaphan shows that devotion to God’s purposes was not confined to Levi; every tribe contributed leaders to accomplish divine directives.

Practical Applications

1. Sacred trust—believers today are stewards of worship and doctrine; irreverence still carries consequences (Hebrews 12:28-29).
2. Family legacy—cultivating a household culture of obedience positions future generations for useful service (2 Timothy 1:5).
3. Cooperative ministry—the diverse bearers of the name remind the church that various gifts and offices converge toward one mission (Ephesians 4:16).

Key References

Exodus 6:22; Leviticus 10:4; Numbers 3:30; Numbers 34:25; 1 Chronicles 15:8; 2 Chronicles 29:13

Forms and Transliterations
אֱלִ֣יצָפָ֔ן אֱלִֽיצָפָ֑ן אֱלִיצָפָ֖ן אֶלְצָפָ֔ן אֶלִיצָפָ֖ן אליצפן אלצפן וְאֶלְצָפָ֖ן ואלצפן ’e·lî·ṣā·p̄ān ’ĕ·lî·ṣā·p̄ān ’el·ṣā·p̄ān ’elîṣāp̄ān ’ĕlîṣāp̄ān ’elṣāp̄ān elitzaFan eltzaFan veeltzaFan wə’elṣāp̄ān wə·’el·ṣā·p̄ān
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Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 6:22
HEB: עֻזִּיאֵ֑ל מִֽישָׁאֵ֥ל וְאֶלְצָפָ֖ן וְסִתְרִֽי׃
NAS: Mishael and Elzaphan and Sithri.
KJV: Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.
INT: of Uzziel Mishael and Elzaphan and Sithri

Leviticus 10:4
HEB: מִֽישָׁאֵל֙ וְאֶ֣ל אֶלְצָפָ֔ן בְּנֵ֥י עֻזִּיאֵ֖ל
NAS: also to Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons
KJV: Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons
INT: Mishael and Elzaphan the sons Uzziel

Numbers 3:30
HEB: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַקְּהָתִ֑י אֶלִיצָפָ֖ן בֶּן־ עֻזִּיאֵֽל׃
NAS: families was Elizaphan the son
KJV: of the Kohathites [shall be] Elizaphan the son
INT: families of the Kohathite was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel

Numbers 34:25
HEB: זְבוּלֻ֖ן נָשִׂ֑יא אֱלִיצָפָ֖ן בֶּן־ פַּרְנָֽךְ׃
NAS: a leader, Elizaphan the son
KJV: of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son
INT: of Zebulun A leader Elizaphan the son of Parnach

1 Chronicles 15:8
HEB: לִבְנֵ֖י אֱלִֽיצָפָ֑ן שְׁמַֽעְיָ֥ה הַשָּׂ֖ר
NAS: of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah
KJV: Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah
INT: of the sons of Elizaphan Shemaiah the chief

2 Chronicles 29:13
HEB: וּמִן־ בְּנֵי֙ אֱלִ֣יצָפָ֔ן שִׁמְרִ֖י [וִיעוּאֵל
NAS: and from the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri
KJV: And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri,
INT: and from the sons of Elizaphan Shimri Jeiel

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 469
6 Occurrences


’e·lî·ṣā·p̄ān — 4 Occ.
’el·ṣā·p̄ān — 1 Occ.
wə·’el·ṣā·p̄ān — 1 Occ.

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