Topical Encyclopedia
Eliashib is a significant figure in the post-exilic period of Israel's history, primarily known for his role as a high priest during the time of Nehemiah. His name, meaning "God restores," is fitting given the context of the Jewish return from Babylonian exile and the subsequent rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem.
Genealogy and PositionEliashib was a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and belonged to the priestly line. He is identified as the son of Joiakim and the grandson of Jeshua, who was the high priest during the initial return from exile under Zerubbabel (
Nehemiah 12:10). As high priest, Eliashib held a position of great religious and social influence in the community.
Role in Rebuilding JerusalemEliashib played a crucial role in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls, a project led by Nehemiah. The Book of Nehemiah records that Eliashib and his fellow priests were among the first to begin the work, specifically rebuilding the Sheep Gate (
Nehemiah 3:1): "Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel."
This act of leadership and dedication was significant, as it set a precedent for the rest of the community to follow in the rebuilding efforts. The Sheep Gate was particularly important as it was the entry point for sheep being brought to the temple for sacrifices, highlighting the religious significance of Eliashib's work.
Controversies and ChallengesDespite his contributions, Eliashib's tenure as high priest was not without controversy. One of the major issues was his association with Tobiah the Ammonite, an adversary of Nehemiah. Eliashib allowed Tobiah to use a large room in the temple courts, which was meant for storing offerings and temple articles (
Nehemiah 13:4-5): "Now before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God and was closely associated with Tobiah. And he had prepared for him a large room where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests."
This act of compromise with an enemy of Israel was met with strong opposition from Nehemiah, who took decisive action to cleanse the temple and restore its sanctity (
Nehemiah 13:8-9).
Family and LegacyEliashib's family connections also posed challenges. His grandson, Joiada, married the daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, another adversary of Nehemiah (
Nehemiah 13:28). This intermarriage with foreign nations was against the Mosaic Law and was a source of tension within the community. Nehemiah's reforms included addressing these unlawful alliances to preserve the purity of the Israelite community.
Eliashib's legacy is thus a complex one, marked by both commendable leadership in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and controversial associations that threatened the spiritual integrity of the nation. His life and actions serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by leaders in maintaining faithfulness amidst external pressures and internal conflicts.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Eliashibthe God of conversion
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Eliashib(whom God restores).
- A priest in the time of King David eleventh in the order of the "governors" of the sanctuary. (1 Chronicles 24:12)
- One of the latest descendants of the royal family of Judah. (1 Chronicles 3:24)
- High priest at Jerusalem at the time of the rebuilding of the walls under Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 3:1,20,21) (B.C. 446.)
- A singer in the time of Ezra who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:24)
- A son of Zattu, (Ezra 10:27) and
- A son of Bani, (Ezra 10:36) both of whom had transgressed in the same manner. (B.C. 458.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
EliashibA high priest in the days of Nehemiah, who took part in rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem,Nehemiah 3:1. The same person probably was afterwards censured for profaning the temple, by giving the use of one of its chambers to a heathen and an Ammonite, his relative, De 23:3,4Nehemiah 12:10 13:1-9.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom God will restore.
(1.) A priest, head of one of the courses of the priests of the time of David (1 Chronicles 24:12).
(2.) A high priest in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:22, 23). He rebuilt the eastern city wall (3:1), his own mansion being in that quarter, on the ridge Ophel (3:20, 21). His indulgence of Tobiah the Ammonite provoked the indignation of Nehemiah (13:4, 7).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ELIASHIBe-li'-a-shib ('elyashibh, "God restores"):
(1) A descendant of David (1 Chronicles 3:24).
(2) Head of the eleventh course of priests (1 Chronicles 24:12).
(3) The high priest in the time of Nehemiah. He, with his brethren the priests, helped in the rebuilding of the wall (Nehemiah 3:1). But later he was "allied unto Tobiah" the Ammonite (Nehemiah 13:4) and allowed that enemy of Nehemiah the use of a great chamber in the temple (Nehemiah 13:5); and one of his grandsons, a son of Joiada, married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite and was for this expelled from the community by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 13:28).
SeeSANBALLAT.
(4, 5, 6) Three Israelites, one a "singer," who had married foreign wives (Ezra 10:24, 27, 36).
(7) Father of Jehohanan (Ezra 10:6); probably identical with (3) above. Called Eliasib in APC 1Esdras 9:1.
F. K. Farr
Strong's Hebrew
475. Elyashib -- "God restores," the name of several Israelites... Elyashib. 476 . "God restores," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration:
Elyashib Phonetic Spelling: (el-yaw-sheeb') Short Definition:
Eliashib.
...Eliashib...Library
Reformation
... Through intermarriage, a friendship had been brought about betweenEliashib the
high priest and Tobiah the Ammonite, Israel's bitter enemy....
Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of...
... Jeshua. Joiakin,Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, [6328] Jonathan, and Jaddua,
who was the contemporary of Alexander the Great. After...
How John Slew his Brother Jesus in the Temple; and How Bagoses...
... 1. WhenEliashib the high priest was dead, his son Judas succeeded in the high
priesthood; and when he was dead, his son John took that dignity; on whose...
The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <....
Thesaurus
Eliashib (15 Occurrences)...ELIASHIB. e-li'-a-shib ('elyashibh, "God restores"): (1) A descendant of David
(1 Chronicles 3:24).
... Multi-Version Concordance
Eliashib (15 Occurrences).
...Eliashib's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceEliashib's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 3:21 After
him repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz...
Eli'ashib (15 Occurrences)
Eli'ashib.Eliashib, Eli'ashib.Eliashib's . Multi-Version Concordance... (See
RSV). 1 Chronicles 24:12 the eleventh toEliashib, the twelfth to Jakim; (See RSV...
Joiada (5 Occurrences)
... Yahweh knows"; compare JEHOIADA): (1) A repairer of the Jerusalem walls (Nehemiah
3:6); the King James Version "Jehoiada." (2) Son ofEliashib the high priest...
Meremoth (6 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah, first as a builder of the wall of the city (Nehemiah 3:4), then as a restorer
of that part of the temple abutting on the house ofEliashib the priest...
Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... He was a man of great influence, which he exerted in opposition to the Jews, and
"sent letters" to Nehemiah "to put him in fear" (Nehemiah 6:17-19). "Eliashib...
Johanan (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 3:24 The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, andEliashib, and Pelaiah,
and Akkub, and Johanan, and Delaiah, and Anani, seven....
Joiakim (3 Occurrences)
... JOIAKIM. joi'-a-kim (yoyaqim, "Yahweh raises up"; compare JEHOIAKIM; JOKIM): Son
of Jeshua and father ofEliashib, the high priest (Nehemiah 12:10, 12, 26)....
Joha'nan (25 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 3:24 And the sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, andEliashib, and
Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Delaiah, and Anani, seven. (See RSV)....
Joi'ada (4 Occurrences)
... thereof. (See RSV). Nehemiah 12:10 And Jeshua begot Joiakim, and Joiakim begot
Eliashib, andEliashib begot Joiada, (See RSV). Nehemiah...
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