Topical Encyclopedia Eliezer is a lesser-known yet significant figure in the post-exilic period of Israel's history. He is mentioned in the context of the return from the Babylonian exile, a pivotal time when the Jewish people were re-establishing their religious and communal life in Jerusalem and the surrounding regions. The role of priests during this period was crucial, as they were responsible for restoring the temple worship and ensuring adherence to the Mosaic Law.Biblical References Eliezer is mentioned in the Book of Ezra, which details the return of the Jewish exiles and the rebuilding of the temple. In Ezra 10:18-19 , Eliezer is listed among the priests who had married foreign women, a practice that was against the Law of Moses and had become a significant issue for the returning exiles. The passage states: "Among the descendants of the priests, the following had married foreign women: From the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. They pledged to send their wives away, and for their guilt, they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering." This account highlights the challenges faced by the Jewish community in maintaining their distinct identity and religious purity after the exile. The intermarriage with foreign women was seen as a threat to the covenantal relationship between Israel and God, and the priests, including Eliezer, were expected to set an example for the people by adhering strictly to the Law. Role and Significance As a priest, Eliezer's role would have been integral to the religious life of the post-exilic community. Priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, teaching the Law, and leading the people in worship. The mention of Eliezer in the context of the intermarriage issue underscores the importance of the priesthood in guiding the community back to faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments. The actions taken by Eliezer and the other priests in sending away their foreign wives and offering a guilt offering demonstrate a commitment to repentance and restoration. This act of obedience was crucial for the spiritual renewal of the nation and the re-establishment of a community centered around the worship of Yahweh. Historical and Theological Context The post-exilic period was marked by a renewed emphasis on the Law and the covenant. Figures like Ezra and Nehemiah played key roles in leading the people in this renewal, and the priests were essential partners in this effort. The challenges faced by Eliezer and his contemporaries reflect the broader struggle of the Jewish people to maintain their identity and faithfulness in a world that often pulled them towards assimilation and compromise. Eliezer's account, though brief, serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for spiritual vigilance and the importance of the priesthood in guiding the people of God. His willingness to correct his course and align with the covenantal requirements set a precedent for the community and reinforced the centrality of the Law in the life of post-exilic Israel. Nave's Topical Index Ezra 10:18And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah. Nave's Topical Index Library The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ... Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements. Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Resources Old Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Damascus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Zipporah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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