Elisheba is the English rendering of the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (ʾEliševaʿ), found in many versions of the Old Testament. It is a direct translation of the original Hebrew name, while the more familiar Elizabeth derives from the Greek form Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabet). The name's meaning, "my God is an oath," is composed of two elements: ʾel (אֵל), referring to the Hebrew God, and shavaʿ (שָׁבַע), meaning "oath." This etymology is clarified in Exodus 6:23 of the Torah, where Elisheba is introduced as the wife of Aaron and a daughter of Amminadab from the Tribe of Judah, with Nahshon as her brother. The biblical account further records that Elisheba and Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, all of whom served as priests.Notable BearersWhile the name Elisheba appears solely in the Old Testament as the wife of Aaron, it forms the linguistic and biblical foundation for the name Elizabeth, which became vastly more widespread. In modern times, the form Elisheva is used in Hebrew-speaking communities, preserving the original pronunciation and spelling. Variants such as Elisabet (Swedish), Elixabete (Basque), Elisabeth (also Swedish), Elisaveta (Macedonian), and Zabel (Armenian) reflect the name's adaptation across Europe and beyond. The less common Elisheba is used primarily in Christian Bible translations, particularly in Conservative and some Reformed circles that maintain the King James Version's spelling. It remains rare given name choice today but holds a significant place in biblical stories.Key FactsMeaning: "My God is an oath"Origin: Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (ʾEliševaʿ)Type: First nameUsage Range: English Bible translations; occasionally as a given name in English-speaking countries