The name Abishua (Hebrew: ‘Ăḇīšūaʿ) means “my father is rescue” or “father of welfare.” This name appears in the Holy Scriptures in reference to two different men, one from the priestly tribe of Levi and another from the tribe of Benjamin. The figure of greater historical and theological significance is the descendant of Aaron who maintained the crucial high-priestly lineage.
Abishua, the High Priest’s Son
The most prominent biblical figure named Abishua is the son of Phinehas and a direct great-grandson of Aaron. He served as an essential link in the hereditary line of the high priesthood in ancient Israel.
Genealogy and Role
Abishua’s position is clearly marked in the priestly genealogies, establishing him as the fourth generation of the sacred office, following Aaron, Eleazar, and Phinehas.
- Father: Phinehas
- Grandfather: Eleazar
- Great-Grandfather: Aaron, the first High Priest
- Son: Bukki
This unbroken chain of succession was vital, as God had made an everlasting covenant of peace and priesthood with Abishua’s father, Phinehas, for his zeal (Numbers 25:12–13).
The King James Version lists Abishua in this significant lineage:
“And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son,” (1 Chronicles 6:50, KJV).
His role as a link in this chain also validates the priestly heritage of Ezra the Scribe, who traces his lineage through Abishua to Aaron, thus underscoring Ezra’s authority during the post-exilic reforms:
“The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:” (Ezra 7:5, KJV).
While the Bible does not record specific acts or deeds performed by Abishua, his presence in these crucial genealogical records emphasizes the Lord’s faithfulness in preserving the priestly line through the era of the Judges.
Abishua, a Benjamite
A second, distinct individual named Abishua is mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin:
“And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,” (1 Chronicles 8:4, KJV).
This Abishua is identified as a son of Bela, who was the first-born son of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:1). Little is known about this Abishua other than his place in the tribal family tree of Benjamin. His inclusion in this list serves to document the family structure of one of the tribes of Israel.