Atomic Bible

Father of Elisha the prophet

Shaphat

Named in 4 verses across 2 books, first in 1 Kings 19:16.

שָׁפָטShaphat

The name means “judge.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Children
Elisha

About Shaphat Written by AI

Shaphat, mentioned in 1 Kings 19:16 and 2 Kings 3:11:31, was the father of Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. Shaphat was from Abel-meholah, a town in the Jordan Valley. When Elijah was instructed by God to anoint Elisha as his successor, he found Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, indicating that Shaphat's family was wealthy and had a large agricultural operation. Elisha's response to Elijah's call, slaughtering the oxen and using the equipment to cook a meal for the people, demonstrates his willingness to leave behind his former life and fully commit to his prophetic ministry. As a prophet, Elisha performed numerous miracles and played a significant role in the religious and political affairs of Israel during the reigns of kings Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash. The mention of Shaphat as Elisha's father highlights the family background of this important prophetic figure.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Shaphat, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Judge. (1.) One of the spies. He represented the tribe of Simeon (Num. 13:5).

(2.) The father of Elisha (1 Kings 19:16-19).

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(3.) One of David’s chief herdsmen (1 Chr. 27:29).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. 1 Kings 19:16

    You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.

  2. 1 Kings 19:19

    So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.

  3. 2 Kings 3:11

    But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

  4. 2 Kings 6:31

    He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.