Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Eleazar
Subjects in this Topic:
ELEAZAR (‘God hath helped’).—1. A son of Aaron. It was natural that priestly traditions should have much to say about him. But in earlier writings his name appears only twice, both probably from E [Note: Elohist.] : Deu_10:6 (his succession to the priestly office at Aaron’s death), Jos_24:33 (his death and burial). In P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] he is the third son of Aaron by Elisheba, his brothers being Nadab, Abihu, and Ithamar (Exo_6:23, Num_3:2). With them he was consecrated priest (Exo_28:1), and was chief over the Levites (Num_3:32). Nadab and Abihu having died (Lev_10:1 f.), he succeeded Aaron as chief priest (Num_20:25-28). He took part in the census in Moab (Num_26:1; Num_26:63), and afterwards played a prominent part in the history of the settlement under Joshua (Jos_14:1; Jos_17:4; Jos_19:51; Jos_21:1). He married a daughter of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas (Exo_6:25). When the Zadokite priests returned from Babylon, they traced their descent to Aaron through Eleazar, ignoring the house of Eli (1Ch_6:3-8); in some cases, however, the claim was made through Ithamar (1Ch_24:5 f.). 2. Son of Abinadab (1Sa_7:1). 3. One of David’s three heroes (2Sa_23:9, 1Ch_11:12 f.). 4. A Levite (1Ch_23:21; 1Ch_24:28). 5. 1Es_8:43 = Eliezer, Ezr_10:18. 6. A priest (Ezr_8:33, Neh_12:42, 1Es_8:63). 7. 1Es_9:19 = Eliezer, Ezr_10:18. 8. One who took a non-Israelite wife (Ezr_10:25, 1Es_9:26). 9. A brother of Judas Maccabæus (1Ma_2:5; 1Ma_6:43-46, 2Ma_8:23). 10. A martyr under Antiochus Epiphanes (2Ma_6:18-31). 11. Father of Jason (1Ma_8:17). 12. Sirach Eleazar (Sir_50:27). 13. An ancestor of Jesus (Mat_1:15).
A. H. M‘Neile.