Shaphat
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Shaphat in the Bible?
Sha'fat denotes several distinct individuals in the Hebrew Bible, including a Simeonite spy sent to Jericho, the father of the prophet Elisha, a Levite mentioned in Chronicles, and one of the elders who engaged in idolatrous practices during Ezekiel's vision.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying the specific Sha'fat in each context clarifies the genealogical lines of Israelite tribes, the social networks surrounding major prophets like Elisha, and the internal religious conflicts within ancient Israelite society.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Shaphat reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shaphat in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shaphat clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shaphat." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shaphat/