Lexical Summary Eleazar: Eleazar Original Word: Ἐλεάζαρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eleazar. Of Hebrew origin (El'azar); Eleazar, an Israelite -- Eleazar. see HEBREW El'azar Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1648: ἘλεάζαρἘλεάζαρ (אֶלְעָזָר whom God helps), ὁ, indeclinable, Eleazar, one of the ancestors of Christ: Matthew 1:15. STRONGS NT 1648a: ἐλεγμόςἐλεγμός, ἐλεγμοῦ, ὁ (ἐλέγχω), correction, reproof, censure: 2 Timothy 3:16 L T Tr WH for R G ἔλεγχον. (Sir. 21:6 Sir. 35:17 (Sir. 32:17), etc.; for תּוכֵחָה chastisement, punishment, 2 Kings 19:3; Psalm 149:7; (Isaiah 37:3; etc.). Not found in secular writings.) The Greek Ἐλεάζαρ renders the ancient Hebrew name that proclaims, “God has helped.” In Scripture it stands as a witness that divine aid, not human strength, preserves the covenant line. Occurrences in the New Testament The name appears twice in one sentence of the genealogy: “Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob” (Matthew 1:15). The first instance places Eleazar as son; the second presents him as father, underscoring his role as a hinge generation. Place within the Messianic line Matthew arranges the genealogical record in groups of fourteen (Matthew 1:17) to display God’s meticulous oversight from Abraham to Christ. Eleazar lives after the Babylonian exile and before the Roman era, showing that the line endured through the so-called silent centuries. By including him, the evangelist reinforces the legitimacy of Jesus’ legal descent from David and the unbroken preservation of promise. Old Testament heritage of the name Earlier bearers of the name enrich its resonance: These men combine priestly service, guardianship of God’s presence, and courageous faith. Their legacy informs Matthew’s Jewish readers that the One to come will unite priest, ark, and warrior in Himself. Priestly overtones Because Eleazar son of Aaron succeeded to the high priesthood, every later mention of the name hints at priestly continuity. Matthew’s inclusion of an Eleazar just before the generation of Joseph silently affirms that Jesus embodies both kingly and priestly strands of Old Testament hope (compare Hebrews 7:14-17). Historical backdrop Eleazar lived when Persia or early Hellenistic powers ruled Judea. Genealogies from that era are scarce, yet his recorded name shows that faithful families preserved identity and expectation through political upheaval. Even when prophecy was not openly given, God was still “helping” His people. Theological insights 1. Divine help in obscurity: an unnamed, silent life can still become vital in God’s plan. Ministerial application • Hidden service matters. Pastors, parents, and intercessors who labor unseen echo Eleazar’s quiet part in the redemptive chain (Malachi 3:16). Related names and typology Eliezer, Lazarus, and Eleazar all spring from the same Hebrew root meaning “help.” Together they anticipate Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), the fullest revelation of divine aid. Eleazar, Strong’s Greek 1648, stands as a quiet but essential link in the inspired record, affirming that every life held by God—celebrated or obscure—contributes to the unfailing advance of His redemptive purpose. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 1:15 NGRK: ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἐλεάζαρ Ἐλεάζαρ δὲ NAS: was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar KJV: Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar INT: was father of Eleazar Eleazar moreover Matthew 1:15 N |
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