Lexical Summary Shaphat: To judge, govern, vindicate, punish Original Word: שָׁפָט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shaphat From shaphat; judge; Shaphat, the name of four Israelites -- Shaphat. see HEBREW shaphat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaphat Definition "he has judged," five Isr. NASB Translation Shaphat (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs שָׁפָט proper name, masculine (he hath judged); — usually Σαφατ[θ]: 1 father of Elilsha 1 Kings 19:16,19; 2 Kings 3:11; 2 Kings 6:31. 2 prince of Simeon Numbers 13:5. 3 grandson of Zerubbabel 1 Chronicles 3:22. 4 Gaddite chief 1 Chronicles 5:12 (Σαβατ, Σαφαμ [ν]). 5 herdsman of David 1 Chronicles 27:29 (Σωφαν, A Σωφατ, ᵐ5L Σαφατ). Topical Lexicon Name Significance Shaphat embodies the idea of judgment or justice rendered, reminding the reader that every narrative thread bearing this name is set against the backdrop of the Lord’s sovereign rule over Israel’s history. Shaphat the Simeonite Spy (Numbers 13:5) “from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori”. As one of the twelve men sent to reconnoiter Canaan, this Shaphat stood at the pivot point between promise and unbelief. Although Scripture does not single out his report, the collective failure of the majority foreshadows the tragic forty-year wilderness wandering. His inclusion highlights the responsibility of spiritual representatives: they may shape an entire generation’s response to God’s word. Shaphat of Abel-Meholah, Father of Elisha (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 3:11; 2 Kings 6:31) 1 Kings 19:19 recounts: “So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat… Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.” This patriarch never speaks in the record, yet his silent influence is weighty. Raising Elisha on a prosperous farm with “twelve pairs of oxen,” he evidently modeled diligence and covenant loyalty, preparing a son whose ministry would confront kings, heal the sick, and defend the remnant. When the Northern king threatened Elisha’s life (2 Kings 6:31), the repeated identification “son of Shaphat” subtly honors the father who helped form a prophet bold enough to stand alone. Shaphat the Post-Exilic Davidic Descendant (1 Chronicles 3:22) Named among six sons of Shemaiah, this Shaphat belongs to the line of David preserved after the Babylonian exile. His mention certifies the continuity of messianic hope; the royal genealogy was not lost, ensuring later generations could trace the legal credentials of the promised King (Matthew 1; Luke 3). Shaphat the Gadite Warrior-Leader (1 Chronicles 5:12) “Joel was the chief, Shapham the second, and Shaphat and Jaanai in Bashan.” Located east of the Jordan, Bashan was often contested. Having a leader named Shaphat—“judged”—in a border region underscores the tribe’s call to uphold justice and defend Israel’s inheritance against encroaching powers. Shaphat son of Adlai, Royal Overseer (1 Chronicles 27:29) “over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat son of Adlai.” In David’s military-administrative roster, this Shaphat managed valley livestock, an assignment vital to national economy and sacrificial worship. The office illustrates how faithful stewardship of material resources supports the spiritual life of the kingdom. Theological and Ministry Insights 1. Covenant Accountability: Every bearer of the name intersects with themes of judgment—whether exploring Canaan, speaking prophetically, governing people, or guarding resources. God’s standards permeate every sphere of service. Practical Lessons for Today • Represent the Lord well when entrusted with leadership; unbelief carries corporate consequences. Thus the eight brief mentions of Shaphat together form a mosaic of divine judgment, covenant fidelity, and multigenerational faithfulness—threads that continue to encourage and exhort believers in every age. Forms and Transliterations וְשָׁפָ֖ט ושפט שָׁפָ֔ט שָׁפָ֖ט שָׁפָ֛ט שָׁפָט֙ שפט šā·p̄āṭ šāp̄āṭ shaFat veshaFat wə·šā·p̄āṭ wəšāp̄āṭLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 13:5 HEB: לְמַטֵּ֣ה שִׁמְע֔וֹן שָׁפָ֖ט בֶּן־ חוֹרִֽי׃ NAS: of Simeon, Shaphat the son KJV: of Simeon, Shaphat the son INT: the tribe of Simeon Shaphat the son of Hori 1 Kings 19:16 1 Kings 19:19 2 Kings 3:11 2 Kings 6:31 1 Chronicles 3:22 1 Chronicles 5:12 1 Chronicles 27:29 8 Occurrences |
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