Who was Elishama in the Bible?

Elishama was a leader and prince from the tribe of Ephraim during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. He is listed as the son of Ammihud and represented his tribe in military censuses and camp organization (Numbers 1:10; 2:18).

What was Elishama's role and significance?

As a tribal leader, Elishama's significance was administrative and military. He commanded the army of Ephraim, helped organize the tribal camp, and presented offerings on behalf of his tribe during the dedication of the Tabernacle (Numbers 7:48, 53; 10:22).

What key events involved Elishama?

Key events for Elishama include the census at Sinai, the arrangement of the camp with Ephraim's division, and his participation in the twelve-day offering ceremony for the newly consecrated altar. He led his tribe whenever the camp set out on its journeys (Numbers 10:22).

Elishama

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeader

Elishama was a leader from the tribe of Ephraim during the wilderness journey (Num.1.10; 2.18; 7.48,53; 10.22).

Elishama

Biography

Elishama son of Ammihud was the appointed leader of the tribe of Ephraim during Israel's wilderness journey, playing a prominent administrative and liturgical role in the early stages of Israel's formation as a nation under Moses. He is first mentioned in the census of Numbers 1:10, where he was tasked with registering the men of Ephraim fit for military service. In the arrangement of the camp, Ephraim's division camped to the west of the tabernacle, with Elishama leading them (Num 2:18). During the dedication of the tabernacle, he brought the offering for Ephraim on the seventh day (Num 7:48–53), and he led his tribe when the camp set out (Num 10:22). He was also the grandfather of Joshua, Israel's future military commander (Num 13:8; 1 Chr 7:26).

Significance

Elishama's leadership of Ephraim during the wilderness period places him at the heart of Israel's formative national experience at Sinai. His role in the census, camp organization, tabernacle dedication, and march order illustrates the structured covenant community God was building, a holy nation with ordered worship, leadership, and military readiness. Most significantly, Elishama was the grandfather of Joshua (Num 13:8), the man God chose to lead Israel into Canaan. His lineage thus connects the tabernacle generation directly to the conquest generation, demonstrating how God's purposes unfold across family lines. Elishama represents faithful tribal leadership at a decisive moment in Israel's journey toward the Promised Land.

Verse Appearances (6)

Numbers

Numbers 1:10 Numbers 2:18 Numbers 7:48 Numbers 7:53 Numbers 10:22

1Chr

1Chr 7:26

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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