Eliashib
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Eliashib in the Bible?
Eliashib served as the high priest during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in the fifth century BCE and held the position of head of the eleventh priestly course. Historical records indicate he allocated a large chamber in the temple courts to Tobiah the Ammonite, an act that later provoked strong opposition from Nehemiah due to Tobiah's foreign lineage and previous hostility toward the Jewish community.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Eliashib's role clarifies the political and religious tensions within the restored community, illustrating how leadership compromises regarding foreign alliances threatened the integrity of the temple worship and the distinct identity of the Jewish people as described in the biblical narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.