Lexical Summary Abishua: Abishua Original Word: אֲבִישׁוּעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abishua From 'ab and showa'; father of plenty (i.e. Prosperous); Abishua, the name of two Israelites -- Abishua. see HEBREW 'ab see HEBREW showa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ab and shoa Definition "my father is rescue," two Isr. NASB Translation Abishua (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲבִישׁוּעַ proper name, masculine (my father is rescue, or is opulence (compare שׁוֺעַ rich Job 34:19; also שׁוּעַ Job 36:19 ? but see שׁוע); LagBN 75 thinks from אֲבֶן (= בֶּן) + שׁוע compare ᵐ5 Ἀβεσσουε 1 Chronicles 8:4) 1 a son of Phinehas 1 Chronicles 5:30; 1 Chronicles 5:31; 1 Chronicles 6:35; Ezra 7:5. 2 a Benjamite, son of Bela 1 Chronicles 8:4. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Abishua (’Ăvîshûa‘) is commonly rendered “my father is salvation.” The name itself testifies to Israel’s conviction that deliverance is found in the covenant‐keeping God who works through chosen families to bless the nation. Occurrences in Scripture 1 Chronicles 6:4, 1 Chronicles 6:5, 1 Chronicles 6:50 and Ezra 7:5 locate Abishua in the high-priestly descent from Aaron; 1 Chronicles 8:4 lists a different Abishua in the tribe of Benjamin. Abishua Son of Phinehas: Link in the High-Priestly Chain 1. Genealogical position Abishua stands at the center of the early generations, receiving the sacred trust from the zeal of Phinehas (Numbers 25:10-13) and transmitting it to Bukki. The chronology places his ministry after Israel’s entry into Canaan and before the rise of the monarchy, likely during the Judges period while the tabernacle remained at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1). Scripture says little of Abishua’s specific acts, yet his appearance in four priestly registers underlines the Spirit’s concern to show an unbroken Aaronic succession. God’s promise that “it shall be an everlasting priesthood” (Exodus 40:15) is quietly vindicated in his lifetime. Abishua the Benjamite (1 Chronicles 8:4) In Saul’s ancestral line the Chronicler records: “Abishua, Naaman, and Ahoah”. Though otherwise unknown, this Abishua illustrates the breadth of the name’s usage and reminds the reader that God’s purposes advance through multiple tribes, not only Levi. Abishua in Ezra’s Pedigree (Ezra 7:5) When Ezra traces his lineage back to Aaron, Abishua appears midway in the list: “…son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest.” The citation serves two purposes: 1. It legally authenticates Ezra’s priestly authority for the reforms of chapters 9–10. Historical and Theological Significance • Preservation of the priestly line: From Sinai, through Shiloh, and into Second-Temple Jerusalem, Abishua’s inclusion shows that neither wilderness wanderings, Canaanite resistance, nor Babylonian exile severed God’s ordained channel of intercession. Practical Reflections 1. Quiet faithfulness matters. Abishua’s ministry is undocumented, yet without him the line would be broken. Believers today serve the same God who notes hidden obedience. Thus Abishua stands as both a historical figure and a theological signpost, silently underscoring God’s unwavering commitment to preserve a priesthood, to protect a people, and ultimately to provide perfect salvation through His Son. Forms and Transliterations אֲבִישֽׁוּעַ׃ אֲבִישׁ֗וּעַ אֲבִישׁ֥וּעַ אבישוע אבישוע׃ וַאֲבִישׁ֙וּעַ֙ וַאֲבִישׁ֥וּעַ ואבישוע ’ă·ḇî·šū·a‘ ’ăḇîšūa‘ aviShua vaaviShua wa’ăḇîšūa‘ wa·’ă·ḇî·šū·a‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 6:4 HEB: הֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ אֲבִישֽׁוּעַ׃ NAS: became the father of Abishua, KJV: Phinehas begat Abishua, INT: Phinehas the father of Abishua 1 Chronicles 6:5 1 Chronicles 6:50 1 Chronicles 8:4 Ezra 7:5 5 Occurrences |