Eliasis
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Eliasis in the Bible?
Eliasis refers to a specific category of non-Israelite individuals, particularly foreign women, identified in Ezra 10:37 who were required to be separated from the community during the post-exilic restoration period.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the term Eliasis illuminates the strict ethnic and religious boundaries enforced by the post-exilic leadership, helping readers understand the historical motivations behind the separation of foreign wives in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Eliasis. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Eliasis in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Eliasis clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Ezra 10:37
Related Topics
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Eliasis." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/eliasis/