Lexical Summary Elitsaphan or Eltsaphan: Elizaphan or Elzaphan Original Word: אֱלִיצָפָן 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 Originfrom 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. 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. Practical Applications 1. Sacred trust—believers today are stewards of worship and doctrine; irreverence still carries consequences (Hebrews 12:28-29). 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·p̄ānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Numbers 3:30 Numbers 34:25 1 Chronicles 15:8 2 Chronicles 29:13 6 Occurrences |
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