Lexical Summary Elishaphat: Elishaphat Original Word: אֱלִישָׁפָט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elishaphat From 'el and shaphat; God of judgment; Elishaphat, an Israelite -- Elishaphat. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW shaphat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom el and shaphat Definition "God has judged," an Isr. NASB Translation Elishaphat (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱלִישָׁפָט proper name, masculine (God has judged, Phoenician בעלשפט, שפטבעל) a captain in the time of Jehoiada 2 Chronicles 23:1. אֱלִיָּתָה see אֱלִיאָתָה. אֶלְמוֺדָד see below I. אַל. Topical Lexicon Canonical Placement and Occurrence Elishaphat appears once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 23:1. He is listed among five military captains who assisted the high priest Jehoiada in a decisive covenant aimed at restoring the rightful Davidic heir, Joash, to the throne of Judah. Historical Context The events of 2 Chronicles 23 occur during the dark aftermath of King Ahaziah’s death, when Athaliah, his mother, usurped the throne and attempted to eradicate the royal seed of David. For six years she reigned tyrannically (2 Chronicles 22:10–12). In the “seventh year” Jehoiada, moved by covenant faithfulness to the house of David, organized a carefully planned revolt. This conspiracy was not merely political but covenantal, seeking to preserve God’s promise that a descendant of David would always sit upon the throne (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Role within Jehoiada’s Covenant Elishaphat, identified as “son of Zichri,” stands among the commanders of hundreds who entered into Jehoiada’s covenant. The Berean Standard Bible records: “In the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the commanders of hundreds—Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.” (2 Chronicles 23:1) His inclusion implies: Ministry Significance 1. Preservation of Messianic Line—By aiding Joash’s enthronement (2 Chronicles 23:11), Elishaphat helped safeguard the lineage through which, ultimately, Messiah would come (Matthew 1:6–16). Theological Reflections • Covenant Fidelity: Elishaphat’s act shows that human agents are instruments God employs to preserve His promises, emphasizing divine sovereignty working through willing servants (Proverbs 21:31). Lessons for Contemporary Believers • Stand for Truth: Even a single appearance in Scripture can testify to lasting faithfulness. Like Elishaphat, believers should be prepared to risk status or safety for God’s purposes. Related Biblical Themes • Divine Preservation of the Davidic Dynasty: 1 Kings 11:36; Psalm 132:11. Although Scripture gives no further narrative about Elishaphat, his brief mention underscores a profound truth: God remembers and records every act of faith, weaving each obedient life into the larger tapestry of redemptive history. Forms and Transliterations אֱלִישָׁפָ֥ט אלישפט ’ĕ·lî·šā·p̄āṭ ’ĕlîšāp̄āṭ elishaFatLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 23:1 HEB: עֲדָיָ֛הוּ וְאֶת־ אֱלִישָׁפָ֥ט בֶּן־ זִכְרִ֖י NAS: of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son KJV: of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son INT: the son of Adaiah and Elishaphat the son of Zichri 1 Occurrence |
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