Elisheba
Elisheva (/əˈlɪʃɪbə/; Hebrew: אֱלִישֶׁבַע, romanized: ’Ělīševa‘), or originally, Elisheva (/əˈlɪʃɪbə/; Hebrew: אֱלִישֶׁבַע, romanized: ’Ělīšev̱a‘), was the wife of the ancient Israelite Aaron, the older brother of Moses, and the first "High Priest of Israel"[clarification needed], mentioned in Exodus 6:23 in the Torah and Christian Old Testament.[1][2]
Elisheva | |
|---|---|
| אֱלִישֶׁבַע | |
,_with_the_Israelites_Camped_before_Mount_Sinai_and_Moses_Ascending_the_Mountain._MET_DP801461.jpg) Aaron and Nadab take leave of Elisheva (pictured from left to right), camped before Mount Sinai, while Moses ascends. | |
| Born | (likely) ancient Egypt |
| Died | Unknown |
| Resting place | Tiberias, Israel |
| Other names | Elisheba (alternative translation of the name) |
| Known for | Being the wife of Aaron, and the matriarch of the first Kohanim of Israel; she is also remembered as one of the prominent women among women in the Bible. |
| Spouse | Aaron (brother of Moses) |
| Children | 4, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar |
| Relatives | Amminadab (father); Nahshon (brother); Amram (father-in-law) Jochebed (mother-in-law); Moses (brother-in-law); Zipporah (sister-in-law); Miriam (sister-in-law) |
In the Jewish Torah
[edit]She was said[where?] to be a daughter of Amminadab from the Tribe of Judah and a sister of Nahshon.[3][4] The Hebrew name, Elisheva, is composed of two parts: "Eli" is short for Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים); one of the Hebrew words for "God," and "sheva," which roughly translates to "oath."[5][6] Thus, the name Elisheva translated into English means: Consecrated to God.[7]
The Book of Exodus in the Torah mentions that Elisheva and Aaron had four sons: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.[3][8][9] In order for a Jewish person to be legitimately recognized as Kohanim; Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים (member of the priestly lineage/bloodline), which used to be required of Jewish Rabbis (and often Cantors), per halakha, they must be Levites of direct patrilineal descent from Eleazar and Ithamar, the two youngest sons of Aaron and Elisheva (i.e. be descendants of Aaron on both sides of the family).[10][11][12]
In the Christian Bible
[edit]In the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament, a woman named Elisabet (Greek: Ἐλισάβετ)[13] is said to have been a descendant of Aaron and the wife of Zechariah, who was also a Jewish priest.[14] Elisabet was a relative of Jesus' mother, Mary,[15] and was the mother of John the Baptist with Zechariah.[16]
Derivations of the Name
[edit]In English
[edit]Elizabeth is the common English-language variant of Elisabet, which is derived from Elisheva.[17][18]
In Spanish/Portuguese
[edit]Isabel is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the name Elisheva or Elizabeth in English.[19]
In Italian
[edit]Elisabetta is the Italian version of Elizabeth,[20] while Isabella is the Italian version of Elisheva.[21][22]
In the Muslim world
[edit]Alishba is a modern name that is believed to have been derived from an Arabic-language translation of Elisheva.[23] It is prevalent among Muslims in the Indian subcontinent.[24]
References
[edit]- ^ "Exodus 6:23". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 6:23 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ^ a b "Exodus 6:23". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Exodus 6:23 - Genealogies of Moses and Aaron". Bible Hub. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ Gesenius, Wilhelm; Tregelles, Samuel Prideaux (1857). Hebrew and Chaldee lexicon to the Old Testament Scriptures; translated, with additions, and corrections from the author's Thesaurus and other works. Gerstein - University of Toronto. London, Bagster.
- ^ "Strong's Greek: 2241. ἠλί (éli) -- Eli". biblehub.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Elisheva". HebrewNamer. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ "Exodus 6:23 - Genealogies of Moses and Aaron". Bible Hub. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "oremus Bible Browser : Exodus 6:23". bible.oremus.org. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Exodus 28:1". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ "Numbers 3:10". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ "Numbers 3:4". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ "Greek Concordance: Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabet) -- 9 Occurrences". biblehub.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Luke 1:5 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Luke 1:36 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Luke 1:13 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Elizabeth". Behind the Name. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "What Does the Name Elizabeth Mean?". Parents. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Isabel". Behind the Name. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Elisabetta". Behind the Name. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Isabella/Elisheva". NJOP. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Isabella - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity". www.thebump.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Alishba Baby Name: Meaning, Origin, Popularity". www.momjunction.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Alishba Baby Name: Meaning, Origin, Popularity". www.momjunction.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.