Eleazar

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

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.] :   Deuteronomy 10:6 (his succession to the priestly office at Aaron’s death),   Joshua 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 (  Exodus 6:23 ,   Numbers 3:2 ). With them he was consecrated priest (  Exodus 28:1 ), and was chief over the Levites (  Numbers 3:32 ). Nadab and Abihu having died (  Leviticus 10:1 f.), he succeeded Aaron as chief priest (  Numbers 20:25-28 ). He took part in the census in Moab (  Numbers 26:1;   Numbers 26:63 ), and afterwards played a prominent part in the history of the settlement under Joshua (  Joshua 14:1;   Joshua 17:4;   Joshua 19:51;   Joshua 21:1 ). He married a daughter of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas (  Exodus 6:25 ). When the Zadokite priests returned from Babylon, they traced their descent to Aaron through Eleazar, ignoring the house of Eli (  1 Chronicles 6:3-8 ); in some cases, however, the claim was made through Ithamar (  1 Chronicles 24:5 f.). 2. Son of Abinadab (  1 Samuel 7:1 ). 3. One of David’s three heroes ( 2Sa 23:9 ,   1 Chronicles 11:12 f.). 4. A Levite (  1 Chronicles 23:21;   1 Chronicles 24:28 ). 5. 1Es 8:43 = Eliezer ,   Ezra 10:18 .   Ezra 10:6 . A priest (  Ezra 8:33 ,   Nehemiah 12:42 , 1Es 8:63 ). 7.   Esther 9:19  Esther 9:19 = Eliezer ,   Ezra 10:18 .   Ezra 10:8 . One who took a non-Israelite wife (  Ezra 10:25 , 1E  Esther 9:26 ). 9. A brother of Judas Maccabæus (  Malachi 2:5  Malachi 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 (  Matthew 1:15 ).

A. H. M‘Neile.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

1. Aaron's third son by Elisheba, Amininadab's daughter, descended from Judah through Pharez ( Exodus 6:23;  Exodus 6:25;  Exodus 28:1;  Genesis 38:29;  Genesis 46:12;  Ruth 4:18;  Ruth 4:20). On the death of Nadab and Abihu without children ( Leviticus 10:1;  Numbers 3:4) Eleazar had the oversight of the chief Levites, who kept the charge of the sanctuary ( Numbers 3:32). With Ithamar his brother he ministered as a priest in his father's lifetime, and was invested in Aaron's high-priestly garments as his successor, on mount Her, just before his death ( Numbers 20:25-28).

With Moses he superintended the census ( Numbers 26:3), inaugurated Joshua whom Moses set before him (for Joshua was in this inferior to Moses, who had direct intercourse with God; Joshua must ask divine counsel through the high priest), and divided the Midianite spoil ( Numbers 27:22;  Numbers 31:21). He took part in dividing Canaan ( Joshua 14:1). He was buried in "the hill of Phinehas his son, ... mount Ephraim" ( Joshua 24:33). The high priesthood passed to Ithamar's line in the person of Eli, but for the sin of Eli's sons reverted to Eleazar's line in the person of Zadok ( 1 Samuel 2:27;  1 Chronicles 6:8;  1 Chronicles 24:3;  1 Kings 2:27).

2. Abinadab's son, of the "hill" of Kirjath Jearim; appointed by its inhabitants to take care of the ark on its return from the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 7:1).

3. Dodo the Ahohite's son, one of the three chief strongmen of David; perhaps descended from Ahoah of Benjamin ( 1 Chronicles 8:4;  2 Samuel 23:9;  1 Chronicles 11:12).

4. A Merarite Levite, son of Mahli, having daughters married to their "brethren" (cousins) ( 1 Chronicles 23:21-22;  1 Chronicles 24:28).

5. A priest at Nehemiah's feast of dedication ( Nehemiah 12:42).

6. Son of Parosh, who married arid put away an alien wife ( Ezra 10:25).

7. Phinehas' son, a Levite ( Ezra 8:33).

8. Eliud's son, three generations above Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary ( Matthew 1:15). The name means "helped by God," and is the same as Lazarus ( Luke 16:19-25).

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

Of the many people named Eleazar whom the Old Testament mentions, the most important was Eleazar, the third of Aaron’s four sons ( Numbers 3:2). When Aaron became high priest, his four sons became his priest-assistants ( Exodus 28:1-4). After the death of the two older sons ( Leviticus 10:1-2), Eleazar and his younger brother Ithamar were given greater responsibility. Eleazar was in overall charge of the Levites ( Numbers 3:32). Within the division of the Levites according to their three family groups, Eleazar seems to have had responsibility for the Kohath group (which had the higher duties;  Numbers 4:15-16), and Ithamar had responsibility for the other two groups ( Numbers 4:28;  Numbers 4:33).

God had prepared Eleazar to succeed Aaron as high priest (cf.  Numbers 16:37;  Numbers 19:3-4), and directed that Aaron, before he died, publicly appoint Eleazar to office ( Numbers 20:23-28). Eleazar then assisted Moses as Aaron had previously ( Numbers 26:63;  Numbers 27:2;  Numbers 31:12;  Numbers 32:2). God directed that when Moses died, the new leader Joshua would not speak to God face to face as Moses had, but would receive God’s instructions through the high priest Eleazar ( Numbers 27:18-23). God directed also that Joshua and Eleazar together were to be in charge of the work of dividing Canaan between Israel’s twelve tribes ( Numbers 34:17; cf.  Joshua 17:4;  Joshua 19:51;  Joshua 21:1). (Concerning Eleazar’s famous son see Phinehas .)

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Eleazar ( Ç'Le-Â'Zar or E-Lç'A-Zar ), Whom God Helps. 1. The third son of Aaron.  Exodus 6:23-25;  Exodus 28:1. After the death of his brothers Nadab and Abihu, he was placed at the head of the Levites,  Numbers 3:32, and subsequently succeeded his father as high priest.  Numbers 20:28. He was then united with Moses in the divine communications,  Numbers 26:1, and with Joshua, who was solemnly inaugurated before him.  Numbers 27:18-23. Eleazar entered Canaan, and, in conjunction with Joshua, divided it among the tribes.  Joshua 14:1;  Joshua 17:4;  Joshua 21:1. His death is mentioned,  Joshua 24:33, but not the time of it: perhaps it was near that of Joshua, He was succeeded as high priest by his son Phinehas. 2. The son of Abinadab of Kirjath-jearim, "sanctified" or appointed to take charge of the ark after its restoration by the Philistines.  1 Samuel 7:1. 3. A son of Dodo, and one of David's chief warriors.  2 Samuel 23:9;  1 Chronicles 11:12. 4. A Levite of the family of Merari, who had no sons, only daughters.  1 Chronicles 23:21-22;  1 Chronicles 24:28. 5. A Levite who helped to weigh the vessels that Ezra brought to Jerusalem.  Ezra 8:33. 6. One who had married a foreign wife.  Ezra 10:25. 7. A priest who took part in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah 12:42. 8. A person named among our Lord's ancestry.  Matthew 1:15.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

1. Thirdson of Aaron and Elisheba (a descendant of Judah through Pharez). He succeeded as chief of the Levites on the death of Nadab and Abihu, and on the death of his father became high priest. He took part with Moses in numbering the people and with Joshua in the allotment of the land. The priesthood continued in his house until it passed to Eli who was of the family of Ithamar; Solomon restored it again to the family of Eleazar in the person of Zadok.  Exodus 6:23,25;  Leviticus 10:6-16;  Numbers 3:2,4,32;  Numbers 20:25-28;  Numbers 26:1,3,60,63;  Numbers 27:19-22;  Numbers 31:6-54;  Deuteronomy 10:6;  Joshua 14:1;  1 Chronicles 6:3,4,50 .

2. Son of Abinadab, set apart to keep the ark at Kirjath-jearim.   1 Samuel 7:1 .

3. Son of Dodo, the Ahohite, and one of David's three mighty men.   2 Samuel 23:9;  1 Chronicles 11:12 .

4. Son of Mahli,a Merarite. He had only daughters who married their cousins.   1 Chronicles 23:21,22;  1 Chronicles 24:28 .

5. Son of Phinehas, a Levite.   Ezra 8:33 .

6. One who had married a strange wife.  Ezra 10:25 .

7. A priest who assisted at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah 12:42 .

8. Son of Eliud, in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus.  Matthew 1:15 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Elea'zar. (Help Of God).

1. Third son of Aaron. After the death of Nadab and Abihu, without children,  Leviticus 10:6;  Numbers 3:4, Eleazar was appointed chief over the principal Levites.  Numbers 3:32. With his brother, Ithamar, he ministered as a priest, during their father's lifetime, and immediately before his death, was invested on Mount Hor with the sacred garments, as the successor of Aaron in the office of high priest.  Numbers 20:28. (B.C. 1452). One of his first duties was, in conjunction with Moses, to superintend the census of the people.  Numbers 26:3. After the conquest of Canaan by Joshua, he took part in the distribution of the land.  Joshua 14:1. The time of his death is not mentioned in Scripture.

2. The son of Abinadab, of the hill of Kirjath-jearim.  1 Samuel 7:1. (B.C. 1134).

3. One of the three principal mighty men of David's army.  2 Samuel 23:9;  1 Chronicles 11:12. (B.C. 1046).

4. A Merarite Levite, son of Mahli and grandson of Merari.  1 Chronicles 23:21-22;  1 Chronicles 24:28.

5. A priest, who took part in the Feast of Dedication under Nehemiah.  Nehemiah 12:42. (B.C. 446).

6. One of the sons of Parosh, an Israelite, (that is, a layman), who had married a foreign wife.  Ezra 10:25.

7. Son of Phinehas, a Levite.  Ezra 8:33.

8. The son of Eliud, in the genealogy of Jesus Christ .  Matthew 1:15.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Exodus 6:23 Numbers 20:28 Numbers 27:22 Joshua 14:1 Joshua 24:33 Ezra 7:5Aaron

2. The son of Abinadab who was sanctified by the men of Kirjath-jearim to have responsibility for the ark of the Lord ( 1 Samuel 7:1 ).

3. One of David's renowned warriors, the son of Dodo ( 2 Samuel 23:9 ).

4. A son of Mahli who died having had no sons, but only daughters ( 1 Chronicles 23:21-22 ).

5. The son of Phinehas who assisted in weighing out the silver and gold utensils in the house of God ( Ezra 8:33 ).

6. One of the sons of Parosh in a list of persons who had married foreign wives. He later put away his wife because of Ezra's reform banning foreign marriage ( Ezra 10:25 ).

7. A musician involved in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem ( Nehemiah 12:42 ).

8. The son of Eliud and father of Matthan. He was an ancestor of Joseph the husband of Mary ( Matthew 1:15 ).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. The third son of Aaron, and high priest after him,  Exodus 6:23;  Numbers 20:25-28 . The high priesthood continued in his family through seven generations; till the time of Eli, when we find it transferred to the line of Ithamar. In the reigns of Saul and David, it was restored to the line of Eleazar, and so continued till after the captivity.

2. A son of Abinadab, honored with the charge of the ark while it was in his father's house,  1 Samuel 7:1 .

3. One of David's champions,  2 Samuel 23:9;  1 Chronicles 11:11-18 .

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

the third son of Aaron, and his successor in the dignity of high priest,  Exodus 6:23 . He entered into the land of Canaan with Joshua, and is supposed to have lived there upward of twenty years. The high priesthood continued in his family till the time of Eli. He was buried in a hill that belonged to the son of Phineas, Joshua 24.

2. ELEAZAR, the son of Aminadab, to whose care the ark was committed when it was sent back by the Philistines, 1 Samuel 7. He is thought to have been a priest, or at least a Levite, though he is not mentioned in the catalogue of the sons of Levi.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

A Levite of the family of Merari ( 1 Chronicles 23:21,22 ).

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., DD Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Eleazar'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/e/eleazar.html. 1897.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

Son of Aaron, and his successor in the priestly office. His history commences from the death of his father Aaron. (See  Numbers 20:23-29) His name is very expressive, help of God

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

ELEAZAR. —An ancestor of Jesus,  Matthew 1:15.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Hebrews Elazar', אֶלְעָזָר , whom God Has Helped; Sept. and N.T. Ε᾿Λεάζαρ ; from the Graecized form Ε᾿Λεάζαρος ῾ found in Maccabees and Josephus], came by contraction the later name Λάζαρος , Lazarus), a common name among the Hebrews, being borne by at least six persons mentioned in Scripture, besides several in the Apocrypha and Josephus. (See Eliezer).

1. The third son of Aaron, by Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, who was descended from Judah, through Pharez ( Exodus 6:23;  Exodus 28:1; for his descent, see  Genesis 38:29;  Genesis 46:12;  Ruth 4:18;  Ruth 4:20). He married a daughter of Putiel, who bore him Phinehas ( Exodus 6:25). After the death of Nadab and Abihu without children ( Leviticus 10:1;  Numbers 3:4), Eleazar was appointed chief over the principal Levites, to have the oversight of those who had charge of the sanctuary ( Numbers 3:32). With his brother Ithamar he ministered as a priest during their father's lifetime, and immediately before the death of their father he was invested on Mount Hor with the sacred garments, as the successor of Aaron in the office of high-priest ( Numbers 20:28). B.C. 1619. One of his first duties was, in conjunction with Moses, to superintend the census of the people ( Numbers 26:3). He also assisted at the inauguration of Joshua, and at the division of spoil taken from the Midianites ( Numbers 27:22;  Numbers 31:21). After the conquest of Canaan by Joshua, he took part in the distribution of the land ( Joshua 14:1). The time of his death is not mentioned in Scripture; Josephus says it took place about the same time as Joshua's, 25 years after the death of Moses. He is said to have been buried in "the hill of Phinehas" his son ( Joshua 24:33), where Josephus says his tomb existed (Ant. 5:1, 29), or possibly a town called Gibeath-Phinehas (Gesenius, Thesaur. pages 260, 261,). The high- priesthood is said to have remained in the family of Eleazar until the time of Eli, a descendant of Ithmar, into whose family, for some reason unknown, it passed until it was restored to the family of Eleazar in the person of Zadok ( 1 Samuel 2:27;  1 Chronicles 6:8;  1 Chronicles 24:3;  1 Kings 2:27; Josephus, Ant. 8:1, 3). (See High-Priest).

2. An inhabitant of Kirjath-jearim, on the "hill" ( גַּבְעָה ), who was set apart by his fellow-townsmen to attend upon the ark, while it remained under the roof of his father Abinadab, after it had been returned to the Hebrews by the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 7:1-2). B.C. 1124. His service in this capacity was doubtless somewhat irregular, but justifiable under the circumstances; for there is no evidence that he belonged to the priestly order, although it is probable that he was of a Levitical family (who were not allowed to Touch the ark, but had only the general charge of it,  Numbers 3:31;  Numbers 4:15). He seems to have continued to exercise this sole care of the sacred deposit for the twenty years that intervened till the judgeship of Samuel ( 1 Samuel 7:1), although the ark remained in the same place much longer ( 1 Chronicles 13:7).

3. A Levite, son of Mahli, and grandson of Merari. B.C. cir. 1618. He is mentioned as having had only daughters, who were married by their "brethren" (i.e., their cousins) ( 1 Chronicles 23:21-22;  1 Chronicles 24:28).

4. The son of Dodo the Ahohite ( בֶּן 9 אֲחֹחַי , i.e., possibly a descendant of Ahoah, of the tribe of Benjamin ( 1 Chronicles 8:4); one of the three most eminent of David's thirty-seven distinguished heroes ( 1 Chronicles 11:12), who "fought till his hand was weary" in maintaining with David and the other two a daring stand against the Philistines after "the men of Israel had gone away." He was also one of the same three when they broke through the Philistine host to gratify David's longing for a drink of water from the well of his native Bethlehem ( 2 Samuel 23:9-10;  2 Samuel 23:13). B.C. cir. 1046. (See David).

5. Son of Phinehas, and associated with the priests and Levites in taking charge of the sacred vessels restored to Jerusalem after the Exile (Ezra 8:38). B.C. 459. He is probably the same with one of those who encompassed the walls of Jerusalem on their completion ( Nehemiah 12:42). B.C. 446. It does not appear from these passages, however, that he was necessarily a priest or even a Levite.

6. One of the descendants (or citizens) of Parosh, an Israelite (i.e., layman) who renounced the Gentile wife whom he had married on returning from Babylon ( Ezra 10:25). B.C. 410. Possibly he is the same with Number 5.

7. The first-named of the "principal men and learned" sent for by Ezra to accompany him to Jerusalem ( 1 Esdras 8:43); evidently the ELIEZER (See Eliezer) (q.v.) of the Hebrews text ( Ezra 8:16).

8. According to Josephus, the Jewish high-priest, brother, and successor of Simon the Just, and son of Onias I, whose correspondence with Ptolemy Philadelphus resulted in the Septuagint (q.v.) translation being made (Ant. 12:2, 5 sq.; 4, 4). (See High-Priest).

9. Surnamed Avaran ( 1 Maccabees 2:5, Αὐαράν , or Αὐράν , and so Josephus, Ant. 12:6, 1; 9:4. In  1 Maccabees 6:43, the common reading Ὁ Σαυαράν arises either from the insertion of C by mistake after O, or from a false division of Ε᾿Λεάζαρος Αὐαράν ), the fourth son of Mattathias, who fell by a noble act of self-devotion in an engagement with Antiochus Eupator, being crushed to death by the fall of an elephant which he stabbed under the belly in the belief that it bore the king, B.C. 164 ( 1 Maccabees 6:43 sq.; Josephus, Ant. 12:19, 4; War, 1:1, 5; Ambrose, De offic. min. 40). In a former battle with Nicanor, Eleazar was appointed by Judas to read "the holy book" before the attack, and the watchword in the fight — "the help of God" — was his own name ( 2 Maccabees 8:23).

The surname "Avaran" is probably connected with Arab. havar, "to pierce an animal behind" (Michaelis, s.v.). This derivation seems far better than that of Rediger (Ersch u. Gruber, s.v.) from Arab. khavaran, "an elephant- hide." In either case the title is derived from his exploit.

10. A distinguished scribe ( Ε᾿Λεάζαρος ... Τῶν Πρωτευόντων Γραμματέων ,  2 Maccabees 6:18) of great age, who suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes ( 2 Maccabees 6:18-31). B.C. cir. 167. His death was marked by singular constancy and heroism, and seems to have produced considerable effect. Later traditions embellished the narrative by representing Eleazar as a priest (De Macc. 5), or even high- priest (Grimm, Ad; Macc. 1.c.). He was also distinguished by the nobler title of "the proto-martyr of the old covenant," "the foundation of martyrdom" (Chrysost. Hom. 3 in 1 Macc. init. Comp. Ambrose, De Jacob. 2:10). For the general credibility of the history comp. Grimm, Excurs. uler  2 Maccabees 6:18-28, in Exeg. Handb.; also Ewald, Gesch. 4:341, 532. (See Maccabees).

The name Eleazar in  3 Maccabees 6:1-41 appears to have been borrowed from this Antiochian martyr, as belonging to one weighed down by age and suffering, and yet "helped by God." — Smith, s.v.

11. The father of Jason, ambassador from Judas Maccabeaus to Rome ( 1 Maccabees 8:18). B.C. 161.

12. Son of Eliud and father of Matthan, which last was the grandfather of Joseph, Christ's reputed father ( Matthew 1:15). B.C. cir. 150.

13. A priest mentioned by Josephus as having charge of the Temple treasures, who sought to divert Crassus from pillaging the sanctuary by the largess of a beam of gold (Ant. 14:7, 1).

14. A son of Boethus, whom Archelaus put into the high-priesthood in place of his brother Joazar, but soon displaced by Jesus the son of Sie (Josephus, Ant. 17:13, 1).

15. Son of Ananus (or Ananias), made high-priest in the room of Ishmael (son of Phabi) by Gratus, who deposed him after one year in favor of Simon son of Camithus (Josephus, Ant. 18:2, 2). While a youth, his boldness led him, as prefect of the Temple, to advise the Jews to refuse all foreign presents (Josephus, War, 2:17, 2). He had been seized by the Sicarii as a hostage for ten prisoners of their own number (Ant. 20:9, 3). He was one of the generals chosen by the Jews for Idumaea during the revolt under Cestius (War, 2:20, 4).

16. Son of Dinseus, a robber who for many years infested the mountains of Samaria, whose troop was at length broken up by Cumanus (Josephus, Ant. 20:6, 1). He was himself captured by stratagem and sent to Rome by Felix (ib. 8, 5). He seems to be the same with the notorious rebel commander of Massada, at whose instigation the desperate garrison committed suicide (War, 7:8-9; comp. Ant. 20:1, 1; War, 2:13, 2).

17. A companion of Simoni of Gerasa; sent by the latter to endeavor to persuade the garrison of Herodium to capitulate, but indignantly put to death by them (Josephus, War, 4:9, 5).

18. A young Jew of great valor in the siege of Machaerus by Bassus; captured by Rufus, but released by the Romans on condition of the surrender of the fortress (Josephus, War, 7:6, 4).

19. A Jewish conjuror whom Josephus speaks of having seen exorcise daemons in the presence of Vespasian and his officers by means of a magical ring (Ant. 8:2, 5).

20. A son of Sameas, and born in Saab in Galilee, who performed a heroic act of valor and self-devotion during the final siege of Jerusalem (Josephus, War, 3:7, 21).

21. Son of Simon, and ringleader of the Zealots in the final convulsions of the Jewish nation (Josephus, War, 4:4, 1). He first appears as possessor of a large amount of plunder from the Romans under Cestius, which gave him control of public affairs (ib. 2:20, 3). During the siege by Titus he held the Temple against the other factions (ib. 5:1, 2), being supplied by the sacred stores of provisions (ib. 3); but at length he formed a coalition with one of these opponents, John of Gischala, who occupied the remainder of the eastern part of the city (ib. 5:6, 1), having lost his vantage by a stratagem of the latter (ib. 3, 1). See the full account under JERUSALEM (See Jerusalem) .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

el - ē̇ - ā´zar , ē - lē̇ - ā´zar ( אלעזר , 'el‛āzār  ; Ἐλεάζαρ , Eleázar , "God is helper"):

(1) The 3rd son of Aaron by Elisheba ( Exodus 6:23;  Numbers 3:2 ). He married one of the daughters of Putiel, who bore him Phinehas ( Exodus 6:25 ). With his father and 3 brothers he was consecrated to the priest's office ( Exodus 28:1 ). After the destruction of Nadab and Abihu, he occupied a more important position, and he and Ithamar "ministered in the priest's office in the presence of Aaron their father" ( Leviticus 10:6 f;   Numbers 3:4;  1 Chronicles 24:2 ). He was given the oversight of the Levites and had charge of the tabernacle and all within it ( Numbers 3:32;  Numbers 4:16 ). To Eleazar fell the duty of beating out for an altar covering the censers of Korah and his fellow-conspirators who had attempted to seize the priesthood ( Numbers 16:37 ,  Numbers 16:39 ). On the death of Aaron, Eleazar succeeded him ( Numbers 20:25 ). He assisted Moses with the census after the plague in the plains of Moab ( Numbers 26:1 ), and with Moses and the elders heard the petition of the daughters of Zelophehad who wished to be served as heirs to their father ( Numbers 27:1 ). After the entrance into Canaan, Eleazar and Joshua gave effect to the decision arrived at by giving the daughters of Zelophehad a share in the land of Manasseh ( Joshua 17:4 ). He was priest and adviser to Joshua, the successor of Moses ( Numbers 27:19;  Numbers 31:12 ), whom he also assisted in partitioning Canaan among the tribes ( Numbers 34:17;  Joshua 14:1;  Joshua 19:51;  Joshua 21:1 ). He was buried in the hill (the Revised Version, margin "Gibeah") of Phinehas his son in the hill country of Ephraim ( Joshua 24:33 ). For some reason unknown the descendants of Ithamar seem to have held the chief position among the priests from Eli till the accession of Solomon, when Abiathar was sent into retirement, and Zadok, the descendant of Eleazar, was appointed in his place ( 1 Kings 2:26 ). Ezra was a descendant of Zadok ( Ezra 7:1 ); and the high priest's office was in the family of Zadok till the time of the Maccabees.

(2) The son of Abinadab, sanctified to keep the ark of Yahweh, when it was brought from Beth-shemesh to Kiriath-jearim after being sent back by the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 7:1 ).

(3) The son of Dodai, one of David's three mighty men. A famous feat of arms with David at Ephes-dammim is recorded ( 2 Samuel 23:9 f;   1 Chronicles 11:12 f where he is named the son of Dodo).

(4) A L evite, a son of Mahli, a Merarite. It is recorded that he had no sons, but daughters only, who were married to their cousins ( 1 Chronicles 23:21 ,  1 Chronicles 23:22;  1 Chronicles 24:28 ).

(5) A priest who accompanied Ezra from Babylon ( Ezra 8:33 ); the son of Phinehas. (5) and (6) may be identical.

(6) A priest who took part in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem ( Nehemiah 12:42 ).

(7) A son of Mattathias and brother of Judas Maccabeus (1 Macc 2:5; 6:43 f; 2 Macc 8:23). See Asmoneans; Maccabees .

(8, 9) Two others are mentioned in 1 Macc 8:17; 2 Macc 6:18ff.

(10) An ancestor of Jesus, 3 generations before Joseph ( Matthew 1:15 ).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Elea´zar (God-helped). This was an exceedingly common name among the Hebrews, being borne by a considerable number of persons in Scripture (as well as in the Apocrypha and Josephus), of whom the principal are the following.

Eleazar, 1

Eleazar, eldest son of Aaron , who acted in his father's lifetime as chief of the tribe of Levi , and at his death succeeded him in the high-priesthood (, sq.). His pontificate was contemporary with the military government of Joshua, whom he appears to have survived. A perfectly good understanding seems at all times to have subsisted between Eleazar and Joshua, as we constantly trace that cooperation and mutual support which the circumstances of the time and of the nation rendered so necessary. Eleazar is supposed to have lived twenty five years after the passage of the Jordan, and the book of Joshua concludes with a notice of his death and burial.

Eleazar, 2

Eleazar, who was set apart to attend upon the ark while it remained under the roof of his father Abinadab .

Eleazar, 3

Eleazar, one of the three most eminent of David's heroes, who 'fought till his hand was weary' in maintaining with David and the other two a daring stand against the Philistines after 'the men of Israel had gone away.' He was also one of the same three when they broke through the Philistine host, to gratify David's longing for a drink of water from the well of his native Bethlehem .

Eleazar, 4

Eleazar, the fourth of the Maccabean brothers, sons of the priest Mattathias . He was crushed to death by the fall of an elephant which he stabbed under the belly in the belief that it bore the king, Antiochus Eupator .

Eleazar, 5

Eleazar, an aged and venerable scribe who, 'as became his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honor of his gray head,' chose rather to submit to the most cruel torments than conform to the polluting enactments of Antiochus Epiphanes .