Shaphat
“Judge or he has judged”
Summary
A name meaning 'judge,' borne by five men in the Old Testament, most notably the father of the prophet Elisha.
☩Father of Elisha
The most significant Shaphat was the father of the great prophet Elisha. He was a prosperous landowner from Abel-meholah, as evidenced by his son plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when Elijah called him to prophetic ministry. Elisha's designation as 'son of Shaphat' distinguished him throughout his ministry.
☩The Simeonite Spy
An earlier Shaphat was the son of Hori, chosen to represent the tribe of Simeon among the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan. He was among the ten who brought back a discouraging report and died in the subsequent plague.
☩Other Individuals
Three other men named Shaphat appear in genealogical and administrative records: a son of Shemaiah in the royal line of David who lived around 350 BC; a Gadite chief dwelling in Bashan during Jotham's reign; and a son of Adlai who served as overseer of David's cattle herds in the valleys.
Related Verses8 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shaphat," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shaphat," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Shaphat," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).