A light emitting device is provided that has a semiconductor light emitting element and a phosphor which converts a part of the luminescence spectrum emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element. The luminescence spectrum of the semiconductor light emitting element is located between a near ultraviolet region and a short-wavelength visible region, and the phosphor is made by adding a red luminescent activator to a base material of a blue luminescent phosphor. Thereby, improving the color shading generated by the dispersion of the spectra of the light emitting elements and obtaining the light emitting device having a high brightness and a good color rendering properties. With the light emitting device, it is possible to provide the light sources for the lighting apparatus of medical treatments, the flash plate of a copying machine, etc., in which a good color rendering property is required.