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I always thought Elizabeth was Hebrew meaning consecrated to God. This website says something different. Why?
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I would guess that the connection between the two is: "consecrated by oath". But I don't think it is the right translation of the name. There are several words used for "to consecrate", but "shava'" is not one of them.
The answer is in the Hebrew name ELISHEVA, and the answer is not clear. The ELI part is, this means „God“ or „my God“. This leaves the consonant verbal root ShaVa’ (Shin – Beth – Ayin), which could mean:
- „seven“
- „to take an oath“
- „abundant, perfect“
All three have been debated, but what would be the meaning of „God is seven“? I haven’t found a convincing explanation. Or „God is an oath“? Maybe: „God has made a vow, that he would bestow this child on me.“ This would at least make some sense, but it would be unique in the Old Testament. As far as I can see this word is never used for God promising a child to someone.
So actually „God is abundance“ seems to be the most likely translation of Elisheva, meaning „God has unlimited creative potential“ (including his power to give me this child).
There is a related name in the bible: Batsheva, „bat“ meaning „daughter“. Here the „perfection“ could also be related to the child, usually meaning the girl was stout.
The answer is in the Hebrew name ELISHEVA, and the answer is not clear. The ELI part is, this means „God“ or „my God“. This leaves the consonant verbal root ShaVa’ (Shin – Beth – Ayin), which could mean:
- „seven“
- „to take an oath“
- „abundant, perfect“
All three have been debated, but what would be the meaning of „God is seven“? I haven’t found a convincing explanation. Or „God is an oath“? Maybe: „God has made a vow, that he would bestow this child on me.“ This would at least make some sense, but it would be unique in the Old Testament. As far as I can see this word is never used for God promising a child to someone.
So actually „God is abundance“ seems to be the most likely translation of Elisheva, meaning „God has unlimited creative potential“ (including his power to give me this child).
There is a related name in the bible: Batsheva, „bat“ meaning „daughter“. Here the „perfection“ could also be related to the child, usually meaning the girl was stout.
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Perhaps it's a case of synonyms
A tired and not very thoroughly thought out guess, but I looked "consecrate" up on Dictionary.com. Among other definitions, it means:
4. To dedicate solemnly to a service or goal.
Then I looked up "oath". There are two other definitions, but the first definition and its subdefinitions seem to be what we want:
1a. A solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge, often calling on God, a god, or a sacred object as witness.
1b. The words or formula of such a declaration or promise.
1c. Something declared or promised.
So, I conjecture that Elizabeth's meaning is just all in the wording. It's sort of like Abigail's meaning, which I have seen worded as "my father is joy", "my father is joyful", "father's joy", "father rejoices", and "my father rejoices".
Miranda
A tired and not very thoroughly thought out guess, but I looked "consecrate" up on Dictionary.com. Among other definitions, it means:
4. To dedicate solemnly to a service or goal.
Then I looked up "oath". There are two other definitions, but the first definition and its subdefinitions seem to be what we want:
1a. A solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge, often calling on God, a god, or a sacred object as witness.
1b. The words or formula of such a declaration or promise.
1c. Something declared or promised.
So, I conjecture that Elizabeth's meaning is just all in the wording. It's sort of like Abigail's meaning, which I have seen worded as "my father is joy", "my father is joyful", "father's joy", "father rejoices", and "my father rejoices".
Miranda
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