What Does Exodus 6:22 Mean in the King James?

And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.

Exodus 6:22 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Elzaphan’s name can mean “God has hidden” or “God has treasured,” letting hiddenness carry the sense of being kept.

THE MEANING

Elzaphan’s name carries the sense “God has hidden” or “God has treasured.” What is out of sight can still be held in reserve; hidden does not have to mean lost.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that what is hidden is therefore lost or forgotten.

THE ROOT

אֱלִיצָפָן

ʾElṣāfān

GROWS FROM

צפן

To hide, conceal, or store up.

“Elzaphan” in this verse is ʾElṣāfān. The name combines ⁨אֵל⁩ (ʾEl, God) with ⁨צפן⁩ (ṣāpan, hide or store up), and is commonly understood as “God has hidden” or “God has treasured.” The root can describe both concealment and something laid up, holding out of sight and safekeeping together.

ALSO GROWS

tsaphan: To hide, treasure, or lay up.

צָפַן

Psalm 31:19 uses this root for goodness “laid up,” so hiddenness can mean value held in reserve.

tsafun: Hidden, concealed, or stored away.

צָפוּן

This form carries the same root into a state of being kept out of sight, echoing the sense often heard in Elzaphan’s name.

THE PATTERN

What is hidden can remain held in reserve, carrying value even while it is out of sight.

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Psalm 31:19 · KJVThe goodness “laid up” uses the same root found in Elzaphan, joining hiddenness with what is kept in store.

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

Proverbs 2:1 · KJVThe verse pictures words being hidden within you, preserved there rather than lost from view.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Matthew 13:44 · KJVThe hidden treasure remains valuable while concealed, and its discovery reveals what was there all along.

THE THREAD

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Psalm 31:19 · KJV

Elzaphan’s name is commonly understood as “God has hidden” or “God has treasured,” from the root ⁨צפן⁩ (ṣāpan, hide or store up). Psalm 31:19 uses that same root for goodness “laid up,” opening the name into an image of goodness kept in reserve and still present.

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