Eleazar
Eleazar is the Hebrew High Priest, succeeding Aaron, his father, after death. He was the third son of Aaron and Elisheba and was in charge of the entire tabernacle, including its holy furnishings and articles.
Died: Palestine
Children: Phinehas
Parents: Aaron, Elisheba
Grandchild: Abishua
Siblings: Ithamar, Abihu
Eleazar was one of four sons born to Aaron, Moses' brother and high priest of the Israelites. Like his father and brothers, Eleazar was consecrated as a priest in service to the Lord (Exodus 28:1). Eleazar is often featured in the account of the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness.
Eleazar and his brother Ithamar remained faithful in their service, but Eleazar's other brothers did not. Nadab and Abihu "offered unauthorized fire to the LORD" in the desert of Sinai (Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 3:4). 4 Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.-Numbers 3:4
Because they did not respect the Lord and honor His commands, God destroyed both of them with fire. God commanded Aaron, Eleazar, and Ithamar to refrain from mourning through Moses. They had been consecrated with oil and were to remain at the tabernacle on pain of death. God also gave them instructions never to drink alcohol when the time came to enter the tent of meeting and told them how to present the food offerings. These men and their families were allowed to eat the leftover food offerings, provided they followed specific rules (Leviticus 10:12–15).
Eleazar eventually became the chief of all the Levites, the Israelite tribe God had set apart for priestly service, and he was in charge of the workings of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:32; 4:16). While the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, Eleazar was responsible for offering sacrifices on behalf of the people (Numbers 19:1–8). When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram gathered 250 men and rebelled against Moses, God ordered Korah and the 250 men to burn incense before Him. God then judged Korah and his followers by sending fire to consume them (Numbers 16:35). Eleazar was given the horrible job of sifting through the ashes to gather the censers the men had used to burn the incense. The censers were to be melted down, hammered into sheets, and overlaid on the Altar in the tabernacle.
In Numbers 20:22–29, on the day of Aaron's death on Mount Horeb, Moses took Aaron and Eleazar up the peak to transfer Aaron's priestly garments to Eleazar. This gesture was a ceremonial confirmation that Eleazar took over for his father as high priest. Eleazar continued as a high priest for the rest of his life, serving the Israelites as a mediator, adviser, and intercessor before the Lord. Eleazar commissioned Joshua as Moses' successor and later helped with such matters as the division of land when the Israelites finally took possession of Canaan (Numbers 34:17; Joshua 14:1; 19:51).
During the time of King Solomon, Zadok was appointed as the high priest, returning that office to the family of Eleazar (1 Kings 2:35). Eleazar had a son named Phineas, who also served the Lord faithfully (see Numbers 25). Eleazar eventually passed away and was buried in Gibeah, the land given to his son Phineas when the Israelites settled in the Promised Land.
The high priest was chosen from Eleazar's line for seven generations, until the time of Eli, who was of the house of Eleazar's brother Ithamar.
There are seven other men named Eleazar found in the Bible, although none quite as noteworthy as Aaron's son. Some were Levitical priests, one was of the same line as Jesus, one was known for having married and divorced a foreign wife, and even fought the Philistines "till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword" (2 Samuel 23:10). You can read about each of these other men named Eleazar in 1 Samuel 7:1; 2 Samuel 23:9–10; 1 Chronicles 11:12; 23:21–22 and 24:28; Ezra 8:33; 10:2 and 25; Nehemiah 12:42; and Matthew 1:15)
1. High priest; third son of Aaron. After his two elder brothers, Nadab and Abihu, had suffered death for offering strange fire before the Lord, Eleazar became his father's chief assistant, with the title "Prince of the Princes of the Levites" (Num. 3:32); his functions included the supervision of the oil for the seven-branched candlestick, the incense, and all that pertained to the inner sanctuary (*ib. iv. 16).
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2. Shortly before Aaron's death, Eleazar was clothed in his father's official garments to signify Aaron's successor (ib. 20:25-28). God's commands were now addressed to Moses and Eleazar (ib. 26:1). Eleazar is God's second representative in Israel, besides Moses (ib. 32:28), and even before Joshua (Num. 32:28, 34:17; Josh. 16:1, 17:4, 19:51, 21:1). He was the progenitor (ancestor) of most of the high priests. He was buried "in Gibeah, by Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill country of Ephraim" (Num. 26:33, R. V.). Eleazar has added to the Book of Joshua the section 26:29-32 (B. B. 15a, 1. 27), and his son Phinehas, verse 33.E. G. H. E. K.
A son of Dodai, an Ahohite (II Sam. xxiii. 9, R. V.), or of Dodo the Ahohite (I Chron. xi. 12); one of the three principal captains of David's army.
3. Fourth son of Mattathias and brother of Judas Maccabeus; surname.
"Avaran" (I Macc. 2:5, ?a???; ib. 6:43, Sa?a??? for ??a??? Josephus, "Ant." 7:6, § 1, ??????). He distinguished himself by a courageous act at the battle of Bet-Zekaryah (162 B.C.), when the Jews under Judas Maccabeus were hard-pressed by the sizeable Syrian army commanded by Lysias and encouraged by the presence of the youthful king Antiochus Eupator. Eleazar, seeing among the enemy's elephants armed with royal breastplates taller than the rest, concluded it carried the king. Wishing to put an end to the misery of his people and being desirous of gaining everlasting fame for himself, Eleazar fought his way through the ranks of the enemy and, creeping under the elephant, speared it from beneath, the animal crushing him in its fall (I Macc. 6:43-46; Josephus, l.c. 7:9, § 4; idem, "B. J." i. 1, § 5). Because of this deed, Eleazar is specially mentioned in a midrash (Rashi to Deut. 33:11; comp. Megillat Antiochus," ed. Gaster, verses 63, 64).II Maccabees does not mention Eleazar, and Josephus modifies the account in his "Wars," following the story of I Macc. 6:43 only in his "Antiquities." Eleazar is included among the seventy translators of the Bible that are mentioned in the Letter of Aristeas (§ 50), and scholars have assumed that this fictitious name was taken from that of the Maccabean (Wendland, in Kautzsch, "Apokryphen," 2:3). In the Syrian document, however, the name reads "Eliezer" (Wendland, "Aristeas," p. 143, Leipsic, 1900).Bibliography: Grätz, Gesch. ii. 363; Schürer, Gesch. 3d ed., i. 213; Willrich, Judaica, p. 149, Göttingen, 1900; Krauss, in Rev. Et. Juives, xxx. 216; for the name "Avaran" see Fritsche, Kurzgefasstes Exegetisches Handbuch to I Macc. ii. 5, and Zöckler, Kurzgefasstes Commentar, ibid.E. G. H. E. K. S. Kr.
4. Son of Ananias, the high priest. Though belonging to a family which strove to maintain friendly terms with the Romans, he induced his priestly colleagues to discontinue the daily sacrifice for the emperor and to decline presents from the pagans ("B. J." ii. 17, §§ 2-4), thereby causing a rupture with the Romans. The rebels, under the leadership of Eleazar, took possession of the lower city and the Temple and fought for seven days with the peace party. The Sicarii under Menahem attacked the peace party, killing Ananias and Hezekiah. This led to a conflict between the parties of Menahem and Eleazar, in which the former was defeated and driven from Jerusalem. Eleazar also attacked the Roman garrison that had retired to the fortified towers—Hippicus, Phasælus, and Mariamne; the Romans capitulated and surrendered their arms on condition of free retreat but were all massacred by the rebels (Josephus, "B. J." ii. 17, §§ 2-10). Meg. Ta'an. 11 refers to this event. The Romans retired from Judah and Jerusalem on the 17th of Elul. It seems that Eleazar had coins struck in his name, with the inscription: "The First Year of the Liberation of Jerusalem." On the organization of the rebellion Eleazar, with Jesus b. Sapphires were appointed general of Idumea ("B. J." ii. 20, § 4, reading' A ?a???? instead of ???? N???). Grätz's opinion that Eleazar is identical with Eleazar b. Ananiah b. Hezekiah Garon is inadmissible. In Yosippon, ch. 95-97, Eleazar b. Ananiah is confounded with Eleazar ben Jair (see Albinus; Ananias).Bibliography: Grätz, Gesch. 4th ed., iii. 453, 471; Schürer, Gesch. 3d ed., i. 602; Schlatter, Zur Topographie und Gesch. Pakistanis, p. 368; Madden, History of Jewish Coinage, pp. 161-166; Levy, Gesch. der Jüdischen Münzen, p. 88; Agadat Shir ha-Shirim, ed. Schechter, pp. 47, 96.
5. Priest and treasurer of the Temple of Jerusalem. Eleazar, anxious to save the costly curtains of the Temple from the greed of Crassus, who had seized the treasure of the Temple amounting to 2,000 talents, gave him a golden beam weighing 300 minæ, the existence of which was unknown to the other priests on account of its wooden casing. He made Crassus swear to spare the rest of the Temple. Crassus, notwithstanding his oath, took all the gold of the Temple (Josephus, "Ant." xiv. 7, § 1).
6. Leader of the Zealots in the war against Vespasian and Titus; son of Simon(Josephus, "B. J." ii. 20, § 3; iv. 4, § 7; for ???? G????? read S?µ????). He belonged to a noble priestly family. After the defeat of Cestius, Eleazar seized the abandoned impedimenta of the Romans and the treasure of the Temple and employed the Zealots as armor-bearers ("B. J." ii. 20, §, 3). He found an ally in the priest Zacharias, son of Amphikalles, whose help supplanted the peaceable high priest Ananias and his party and admitted the Idumeans into Jerusalem (ib. iv. 4, §, 1). When the patriot Johannes turned from Giscala to Jerusalem after the subjugation of Galilee, Eleazar would not submit to him but retired to the court of the Temple with his friends Judah b. ?elika and Simon b. Ezrin. During the Passover, Eleazar's men opened the gates of the court of the Temple. After that, the followers of Johannes stole in among the pilgrims, overpowered Eleazar's people, and drove them from the court (70 C.E.: ib. v. 3, § 1; Tacitus, v. 12).V05p094001.jpgBrass Coin Of Eleazar Ben Simon.Obverse: —"Eleazar the Priest." A vase; in the field to the right, a palm branch. Reverse: [ —"The First Year of the Redemption of Israel," round a cluster of grapes. (After Madden, "History of Jewish Coinage.") Bibliography: Grätz, Gesch. 4th ed., iii. 509, 526; Schürer. Gesch. 3d ed., i. 623, 625; Schlatter, Zur Topographie und Gesch. Palästinas, p. 368; Reinach, Textes d'Auteurs Grecs et Romains, p. 320; Prosopographia Imperii Romani, s.v. Eleazar.
7. Martyr in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes. In the religious persecution under Antiochus, Eleazar, a scholar of rank, "and of a noble countenance," at that time "well stricken in years," was compelled to eat pork, his mouth being opened by force. When offered the alternatives of death or renunciation of his faith, he chose the former to set a "noble example to the young." The king's followers desired to protect him and implored him to pretend to obey the king's commands. Eleazar refused and died a martyr's death (II Macc. vi. 18-31). In Antioch (IV Macc. v., vi.), Eleazar's edifying martyrdom, with that of the seven Maccabean brothers, was honored by the Roman Church (Origen, "Exhortation ad Martyrium," ch. 22-27; "Comm. in Ep. ad Rom." iv. ch. 10; Chrysostom). Cardinal Rampolla's investigations have proved the historical character of the account even though while the seven martyrs are mentioned in the rabbinical legend, Eleazar seems to be unknown to the Rabbis ("Martyre et Sepulture des Macchabées," Bruges, 1900). Grätz had already declared it to be substantially true ("Geschichte," 2d ed., ii. 317). Herzfeld's supposition ("Geschichte des Volkes Jisrael," ii. 75) that Eleazar is identical with Eleazar ben ?arsom is untenable.
Eleazar - Some Things you may not have known about this man,
• Eleazar is the third son of Aaron and Elisheba.
• His name means "God has helped."
• He marries one of the daughters of Putiel (who is mentioned only here and of whom no further information is given), and they have a son, Phinehas.
• His uncle, Moses, is designated as the original priest for the people of Israel.
• Although all of the Levites could be priests, Moses institutes the eternal priesthood of Aaron and his descendants.
• Sacred garments are made for Aaron and his sons to wear as priests. The garments include a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash.
• They are made from gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and fine linen.
• Their primary duty as priests is to maintain a proper relationship between God and the Israelites.
• They do this by caring for the tabernacle and administering the law.
• As the Israelites move from place to place, Eleazar's specific duty is to carry "the oil for the lampstand, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles."
• In the beginning, Moses instructs them as to each step of their duties.
• Shortly after that, Aaron's two oldest sons take their censers, put fire in them, add incense, and offer unauthorized fire before the Lord.
• The fire backfires, and both are consumed in the presence of the Lord.
• Moses forbids Aaron and his remaining sons from mourning for them because they disobeyed the Lord.
• They are also forbidden to drink wine or any other fermented drink before going into the tent of meeting. The Lord wants them clear-headed so that they can teach the decrees He has given the Israelites through Moses.
• They are, however, allowed to eat a portion of the grain and food offerings presented for sacrifice at the sanctuary.
• Yet, they do not eat a portion of the goat offering that is made to atone for the brothers' sin. This makes Moses angry.
• Aaron replies that that offering has been made for his deceased sons. Indeed, God does not want him to partake of it.
• Sometime later, members of several tribes try to rebel against Moses' and Aaron's leadership.
• Moses prays and tells them to bring their censers to the sanctuary the following day. God will decide whose offerings he will accept.
• The next day the earth opens, and the rebels are swallowed up.
• Eleazar is told to gather up the censers from the cinders and to scatter the coals a distance from the people.
• The censers are holy. So he is told to hammer them into thin sheets for covering the Altar. It will be a sign to remember what happened that day
• Eleazar does as he is told, and after that, everyone knows that only Aaron and his descendants are allowed to burn incense before God.
• Another major event in Eleazar's life occurs during the ritual of the red heifer.
• This is instituted in Numbers. A red heifer, without blemish, is presented to Eleazar. Then it is taken outside the camp and killed. Eleazar takes some of the blood and splashes it seven times in the direction of the Tent of Meeting.
• While he supervises, the entire carcass is burned. Its ashes will be gathered and placed outside the camp to use during the cleansing water year.
• When it is time for Aaron to "be gathered to his people," God instructs Moses to take him and Eleazar up Mount Hor.
• Moses removes Aaron's clothes and puts them on Eleazar.
• Moses and Eleazar return to the people, and Eleazar is the new Chief Priest.
• He will be High Priest for over twenty years.
• Just before the people enter the Promised Land, Eleazar helps Moses number the people.
• He is present with Moses when the daughters of Zelophehad come to discuss their right to their father's inheritance.
• When it is time to pass his mantle to Joshua, Moses is instructed by God to tell Joshua to "consult with Eleazar, the priest who…will prayerfully advise him in the presence of God."
• Together with Moses, Eleazar helps determine the settlement of plunder and captives following victories as they move towards the land.
• He also assists Moses in determining that some tribes can settle east of Jordan.
• God tells Moses to appoint Eleazar and Joshua to be in charge of distributing the inheritance of the land. One leader from each tribe is chosen to assist them.
• It is believed that Joshua and Eleazar die the same year. Joshua is 110 years old, roughly twenty years after conquering the land.
• Eleazar is buried at Gibeah, which is land given to his son, Phinehas, in the country of Ephraim.
• Phinehas succeeds him as High Priest.
