שָׁפָט
sha.phat
Shaphat
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Shaphat: A Hebrew Personal Name Based on the lexical data provided, Shaphat (שָׁפָט) is a Hebrew proper noun appearing four times in the biblical text. As a name rather than a common word, its significance lies in its use as a personal identifier rather than in conveying a semantic concept. The name itself derives from Hebrew verbal roots related to judgment or decision-making, though the lexicon data provided does not elaborate on this etymological connection. The limited frequency of Shaphat's occurrence (only four instances) suggests it belonged to specific individuals within biblical narratives rather than being a widespread or commonly invoked name. Without additional contextual information from the lexicon data, the precise identity of these four individuals and their historical or religious significance cannot be determined. The name appears to have been used in biblical tradition to designate particular persons, but its functional role in those narratives remains outside the scope of the lexical entry itself.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
1 Kings 19:19So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. Elijah went over to him, and put his mantle on him.
2 Kings 3:11But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here.”
2 Kings 6:31Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.”