Topical Encyclopedia Eliashib is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly noted for his role during the post-exilic period of Israel's history. He is primarily recognized as a high priest who played a crucial part in the rebuilding of Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile.Genealogy and Position Eliashib 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 time of Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:10). As high priest, Eliashib held a position of great spiritual and social influence among the returned exiles. Role in the Rebuilding of Jerusalem Eliashib's most notable contribution was his involvement in the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem. The Book of Nehemiah records that Eliashib, along with his fellow priests, took the initiative to rebuild the Sheep Gate, setting an example for the rest of the community (Nehemiah 3:1). This act of leadership was crucial in rallying the people to complete the wall, which was essential for the security and restoration of Jerusalem as a city. Controversies and Challenges Despite his contributions, Eliashib's tenure as high priest was not without controversy. He is mentioned in connection with Tobiah the Ammonite, an adversary of Nehemiah. Eliashib allowed Tobiah to use a large room in the temple courts, which was a significant breach of the sanctity of the temple (Nehemiah 13:4-5). This incident highlights the challenges of maintaining religious purity and the influence of foreign elements during this period. Nehemiah, upon returning to Jerusalem, took decisive action to rectify this situation by removing Tobiah's belongings and cleansing the temple rooms (Nehemiah 13:8-9). This episode underscores the ongoing struggle to uphold the covenantal laws and the need for vigilance in leadership. Family and Legacy Eliashib's family connections also played a role in the socio-political dynamics of the time. His grandson, Jehoiada, was married to the daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, another adversary of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 13:28). This alliance through marriage further complicated the relationship between the Jewish community and their surrounding neighbors. Eliashib's legacy is a complex one, marked by both his dedication to the physical and spiritual restoration of Jerusalem and the challenges posed by his familial and political associations. His life and actions reflect the broader themes of restoration, leadership, and the ongoing struggle to maintain faithfulness to God's covenant amidst external pressures. 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 ... /hebrew/475.htm - 6k Thesaurus Eliashib's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Eliashib's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 3:21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz ... /e/eliashib's.htm - 6k Eli'ashib (15 Occurrences) Eliasib Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Eliashib's (1 Occurrence)Nehemiah 3:21 Subtopics Related Terms |
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