אֱלִישֶׁבַע
Elisheva / Elizabeth
“God is my oath”
Elizabeth (אֱלִישֶׁבַע, Elisheva) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “god is my oath,” pronounced “e-li-SHE-va.” From Hebrew אֵל (El, 'God') + שֶׁבַע (sheva, 'oath' or 'seven'). The number seven in Hebrew is connected to oaths because of the shared root שׁ-ב-ע. Elisheva thus means 'God is my oath' or 'my God is (the God of) seven/completeness.'
| Hebrew | אֱלִישֶׁבַע |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Elisheva |
| English Name | Elizabeth |
| Meaning | God is my oath |
| Pronunciation | e-li-SHE-va |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | Elisheva, Elisabeth, Elisa, Elsa, Isabella, Beth, Liz, Lisa |
| Key Scripture | Exodus 6:23 |
Elizabeth is one of the most successful names in human history — from the wife of Aaron the High Priest to queens of England to every Beth, Liz, Elsa, and Isabella who has ever lived. The Hebrew original, Elisheva, means 'God is my oath' or 'my God is abundance,' combining the divine name El with the word for oath or seven (both 'sheva' in Hebrew — since oaths were sealed with seven). The name declares that God Himself is the guarantee, the sworn promise, the unbreakable commitment. In the New Testament, Elizabeth was the elderly mother of John the Baptist, whose miraculous late-in-life pregnancy echoed the Sarah narrative and announced that God's promises never expire.
Key Scripture: Exodus 6:23
“Aaron married Elisheba daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.”
What Does Elizabeth Mean in Hebrew?
Composed of אֱלִי (Eli, 'my God') + שֶׁבַע (sheva, 'oath/seven'). The root שׁ-ב-ע (shin-bet-ayin) means both 'to swear an oath' and 'seven' — concepts linked because covenants were often confirmed with seven animals or seven witnesses. The name declares God as the ultimate guarantor and oath-keeper.
Elizabeth in the Bible
In the Old Testament, Elisheva was the wife of Aaron and thus the first lady of the Israelite priesthood (Exodus 6:23). In the New Testament, Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist, a righteous woman who conceived miraculously in old age. Her greeting to Mary — 'Blessed are you among women!' (Luke 1:42) — is one of the most famous utterances in Christian tradition.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Two of England's most famous monarchs — Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II — bore this name, cementing it in Western culture as a name of royalty and authority. The name's extraordinary versatility (Beth, Liz, Lisa, Elsa, Bella, Betsy, Libby, etc.) has helped it adapt to every culture and generation for centuries.
Elizabeth has been one of the most consistently popular names in the English-speaking world for over 500 years. It currently ranks in the top 15 in the US. Through its dozens of variants (Lisa, Beth, Elsa, Isabella, Elise, etc.), it may be the single most widespread female name on earth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth
What does Elizabeth mean in Hebrew?
Elizabeth (אֱלִישֶׁבַע, Elisheva) means “God is my oath” in Hebrew. From Hebrew אֵל (El, 'God') + שֶׁבַע (sheva, 'oath' or 'seven'). The number seven in Hebrew is connected to oaths because of the shared root שׁ-ב-ע. Elisheva thus means 'God is my oath' or 'my God is (the God of) seven/completeness.'
How do you pronounce Elizabeth in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Elizabeth is “e-li-SHE-va.” The name is written אֱלִישֶׁבַע in Hebrew script.
What does Elizabeth mean in Hebrew?
Elizabeth (אֱלִישֶׁבַע, Elisheva) means 'God is my oath' or 'my God is abundance' in Hebrew. It combines 'Eli' (my God) with 'sheva' (oath/seven). In Hebrew, 'oath' and 'seven' share the same root because covenants were sealed with seven witnesses or offerings. The name declares God Himself as the unbreakable guarantee of His promises.
Is Elizabeth a Hebrew or English name?
Elizabeth is originally Hebrew — the English form comes from the Greek Elisabet, which transliterates the Hebrew Elisheva (אֱלִישֶׁבַע). The name first appears in Exodus 6:23 as Aaron's wife. It traveled from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English over thousands of years, spawning dozens of variants along the way.
How many variants does the name Elizabeth have?
Elizabeth may have more variants than any other name in history, including: Elisheva, Elisabeth, Elisa, Elise, Lisa, Beth, Betsy, Betty, Liz, Lizzie, Libby, Elsa, Elsie, Isabella, Isabel, Isobel, Isabela, Babette, Buffy, and many more. Each language and culture has adapted the name, making it arguably the most versatile female name on earth.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
More Female Biblical Names
Explore other names in the Female Biblical Names collection
Related Hebrew Names
Discover the Meaning Behind Every Biblical Name
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free