Topical Encyclopedia Eliashib, a prominent figure in the post-exilic period of Israel's history, served as the High Priest during the time of Nehemiah. His role and actions are documented primarily in the books of Nehemiah and Ezra, where he is depicted as a significant religious leader during the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the restoration of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile.Genealogy and Background Eliashib was a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and belonged to the priestly line. He was the son of Joiakim and the grandson of Jeshua, who was the High Priest during the initial return from Babylonian captivity under Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:10). This lineage placed Eliashib in a position of considerable influence and responsibility within the Jewish community. Role in the Rebuilding of Jerusalem Eliashib's most notable contribution was his involvement in the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3:1 states, "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 passage highlights Eliashib's leadership and dedication to the physical and spiritual restoration of the city. Controversies and Challenges Despite his significant 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. Nehemiah 13:4-5 records, "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 alliance with Tobiah was seen as a breach of the covenant and a compromise of the sanctity of the temple, leading to Nehemiah's forceful expulsion of Tobiah and the cleansing of the temple storerooms (Nehemiah 13:8-9). Family and Legacy Eliashib's family also faced challenges regarding adherence to the Law. Nehemiah 13:28 mentions, "Even one of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me." This intermarriage with foreign nations was against the Mosaic Law and highlighted ongoing struggles within the community to maintain purity and obedience to God's commandments. Despite these controversies, Eliashib's role as High Priest during a critical period of Israel's history underscores the complexities of leadership and the challenges of maintaining faithfulness amidst external and internal pressures. His actions, both commendable and questionable, reflect the broader narrative of Israel's restoration and the ongoing need for spiritual renewal. Nave's Topical Index Nehemiah 3:1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of Meah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananeel. Nave's Topical Index Nehemiah 12:10 Nehemiah 13:4-9,28 Library How John Slew his Brother Jesus in the Temple; and How Bagoses ... Reformation Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ... The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Resources Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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