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Elisheba

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aaron and Nadab take leave of Elisheva (pictured from left to right), camped before Mount Sinai, while Moses ascends.

Elisheva (/əˈlɪʃɪvə/; Hebrew: אֱלִישֶׁבַע, romanized’Ělīšev̱a‘), or alternatively, Elisheba (/əˈlɪʃɪbə/; Hebrew: אֱלִישֶׁבַע, romanized’Ělīšeḇa‘), was the wife of the ancient Israelite prophet Aaron, who was the elder brother of Moses and the first High Priest of Israel, according to Exodus 6:23 in the Hebrew Torah and Christian Old Testament.[1][2]

Tomb of the Matriarchs in Tiberias, Israel. According to tradition, Elisheva rests here.

In the Torah and Christian Bible

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She was said to be a daughter of Amminadab from the Tribe of Judah and a sister of Nahshon, also from the Tribe of Judah.[3][4] The Hebrew name is composed of two parts: in one interpretation, "Eli" means "my God" and "sheva" means "oath."[5][6] The name Elisheva can thus be translated as "God is (my) oath.”[7]

Exodus 6:23 in the Torah and Old Testament records that Elisheva and Aaron had four sons: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.[3][8][9] In order to be legitimately recognized as hereditary priests (Kohanim; Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים), Jews are required by halakha to be Levites of direct patrilineal descent from Eleazar and Ithamar, the two youngest sons of Aaron and Elisheva.[10][11][12]

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

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In English

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Elizabeth is the common English-language variant of Elisabet, which is derived from Elisheva.[17][18]

In Spanish/Portuguese

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Isabel is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the name Elisheva or Elizabeth in English.[19]

In Italian

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Elisabetta is the Italian version of Elizabeth,[20] while Isabella is the Italian version of Elisheva.[21][22]

In the Muslim world

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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

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  1. ^ "Exodus 6:23". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  2. ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 6:23 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  3. ^ a b "Exodus 6:23". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  4. ^ "Exodus 6:23 - Genealogies of Moses and Aaron". Bible Hub. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Strong's Greek: 2241. ἠλί (éli) -- Eli". biblehub.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  7. ^ "Elisheva". HebrewNamer. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  8. ^ "Exodus 6:23 - Genealogies of Moses and Aaron". Bible Hub. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  9. ^ "oremus Bible Browser : Exodus 6:23". bible.oremus.org. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  10. ^ "Exodus 28:1". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  11. ^ "Numbers 3:10". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  12. ^ "Numbers 3:4". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  13. ^ "Greek Concordance: Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabet) -- 9 Occurrences". biblehub.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  14. ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Luke 1:5 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  15. ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Luke 1:36 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  16. ^ "Bible Gateway passage: Luke 1:13 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  17. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Elizabeth". Behind the Name. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  18. ^ "What Does the Name Elizabeth Mean?". Parents. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  19. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Isabel". Behind the Name. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  20. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Elisabetta". Behind the Name. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  21. ^ "Isabella/Elisheva". NJOP. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  22. ^ "Isabella - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity". www.thebump.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  23. ^ "Alishba Baby Name: Meaning, Origin, Popularity". www.momjunction.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  24. ^ "Alishba Baby Name: Meaning, Origin, Popularity". www.momjunction.com. Retrieved 2025-02-16.