Who was Elizaphan in the Bible?

Elizaphan was a Levite leader from the Kohathite clan, appointed to oversee the care and transport of the sacred objects within the tabernacle (Numbers 3:30). He was a son of Uzziel, making him a cousin to Moses and Aaron (Exodus 6:22).

What was Elizaphan's role and significance?

His primary significance was his leadership role among the Kohathites, who were responsible for the most holy items of the tabernacle during Israel's wilderness journeys. He is also noted for helping carry away the bodies of Nadab and Abihu after their unauthorized offering (Leviticus 10:4).

Where else is Elizaphan mentioned in the Bible?

Beyond the Pentateuch, Elizaphan is mentioned in the historical books during King David's time, assisting with moving the Ark of the Covenant (1 Chronicles 15:8), and during King Hezekiah's temple reforms (2 Chronicles 29:13).

Elizaphan

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeaderLevite

Elizaphan was a Levite leader from the Kohathite clan, responsible for various duties in the tabernacle and temple (Num.3.30; 1Ch.15.8; 2Ch.29.13; Exo.6.22; Lev.10.4).

Elizaphan

Biography

Elizaphan son of Uzziel was a prominent Levite leader of the Kohathite clan whose name appears in connection with some of the most sacred duties in Israelite worship. In Numbers 3:30, he is listed as the leader of the Kohathite families during the wilderness period. Most dramatically, he is called upon in Leviticus 10:4 to carry the bodies of Nadab and Abihu out of the sanctuary after their death for offering unauthorized fire before the Lord. In 1 Chronicles 15:8, a division of Levites is associated with his name during David's transfer of the ark to Jerusalem, and in 2 Chronicles 29:13, descendants of Elizaphan participated in Hezekiah's reforms and the cleansing of the temple. His lineage thus spans pivotal moments in the history of Israelite worship.

Significance

Elizaphan's story touches multiple defining moments in Israel's sacred history. His role in removing the bodies of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:4) speaks to the gravity of holiness and the necessity of proper priestly conduct before God, a sobering reminder that access to God's presence carries solemn responsibility. His descendants' involvement in David's ark procession and Hezekiah's temple reforms demonstrates the enduring legacy of faithful Levitical families across generations. Elizaphan illustrates how God works through appointed servants to maintain the integrity of worship, and his lineage represents the continuity of devotion threading through Israel's covenantal life.

Verse Appearances (5)

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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Elizaphan

Biography

Significance

Verse Appearances (5)

Exod

Leviticus

Numbers

1Chr

2Chr

References