Shaphat שָׁפָט
Father of Elisha the prophet
Who is Shaphat in the Bible?
Shaphat was the father of Elisha, the renowned prophet who succeeded Elijah in Israel (1 Kings 19:16, 19). From the town of Abel-meholah in the Jordan Valley, Shaphat was a wealthy landowner with a substantial agricultural operation, as evidenced by Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when Elijah first called him (1 Kings 19:19). When Elisha responded to Elijah's call, he immediately sacrificed the oxen and burned his plow to prepare a farewell meal, demonstrating his commitment to abandon his former life for prophetic ministry (1 Kings 19:21). Though Shaphat himself appears only briefly in the biblical record, his significance lies in being the father of one of Israel's greatest prophets, whose miraculous deeds and counsel shaped the nation's spiritual and political course during the reigns of multiple kings (2 Kings 3:11, 6:31).
Biography
Shaphat, mentioned in 1Ki.19.16,19 and 2Ki.3.11, 6:31, 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.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Kings 2 verses
- 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."
- 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."
2 Kings 2 verses
- 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.”"
- 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!”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שָׁפָט |