eliezer Summary and Overview

God his help. (1.) "Of Damascus," the "steward" (R.V., "possessor") of Abraham's house (Gen. 15:2, 3). It was probably he who headed the embassy sent by Abraham to the old home of his family in Padan-aram to seek a wife for his son Isaac. The account of this embassy is given at length in Gen. 24. (2.) The son of Becher, and grandson of Benjamin (1 Chr. 7:8). (3.) One of the two sons of Moses, born during his sojourn in Midian (Ex. 18:4; 1 Chr. 23:15, 17). He remained with his mother and brother Gershom with Jethro when Moses returned to Egypt. (Ex. 18:4). They were restored to Moses when Jethro heard of his departure out of Egypt. (4.) One of the priests who blew the trumpet before the ark when it was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 15:24). (5.) Son of Zichri, and chief of the Reubenites under David (1 Chr. 27:16). (6.) A prophet in the time of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20:37). Others of this name are mentioned Luke 3:29; Ezra 8:16; 10:18, 23, 31.

ELIE'ZER (God is help). 1. Abraham's steward and confidential servant. Gen 15:2. 2. The second son of Moses and Zipporah. Ex 18:4; 1 Chr 23:15, 1 Chr 23:17; 1 Chr 26:25. 3. A Benjamite chief. 1 Chr 7:8. 4. A priest in David's reign. 1 Chr 15:24. 5. A ruler of the Reubenites in David's time. 1 Chr 27:10. 6. A prophet who rebuked Jehoshaphat. 2 Chr 20:37. 7. A prominent Jew sent by Ezra to fetch Levites. Ezr 8:16. 8. 9, 10. Those who had foreign wives. Ezr 10:18, Ezr 10:23, Ezr 10:31. 9. One of Christ's ancestors. Luke 3:29.

("my God a help".) 1. Genesis 15:2, "the steward of Abram's house, E. of Damascus," literally, "the son of the business," or possession (i.e. heir) of my house. Entering Canaan by Damascus, Abram took thence his chief retainer, and adopted him in the absence of a son and heir. He was not "born in Abram's house" as Genesis 15:3 of KJV represents in contradiction to Genesis 15:2 (unless it was while Abram was in Damascus); but, as Hebrew expresses, was "son of his house," i.e. adopted as such, according to the paternal relations then subsisting between patriarchs and their servants. Thus, he discharged with fidelity, prayerful trust in Providence, and tact, the delicate commission of choosing a wife from his master's connections for his master's son Isaac. Justin (36:2) and Josephus (Ant. 1:7, sec. 2), from Nicholaus of Damascus, assert that Abraham reigned in Damascus. Eliezer's prayer, "O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray Thee send me good speed today, and show kindness unto my master;" his looking for a providential token to guide him; God's gracious answer in fact; and his thanksgiving, "Blessed be the Lord God of my ... who has not left destitute my master of His mercy and His truth, I being in the way, the Lord led me:" are a sample of God's special care for His people's temporal concerns, and of the way to secure it (Genesis 24). 2. Moses and Zipporah's second son; so-called "because, said Moses, the God of my father was my help ... from the sword of Pharaoh" (Exodus 18:4; 1 Chronicles 23:15; 1 Chronicles 23:17). Remained with Jethro his grandfather when Moses returned to Egypt. Zipporah after going part of the way with him was sent back by Moses (Exodus 4:18; Exodus 4:24-26; Exodus 18:2, etc.). Jethro took Zipporah and Gershom and Eliezer to Moses in the wilderness, upon hearing of the Exodus. Had one son, Rehabiah, to whom were born very many sons (1 Chronicles 23:17; 1 Chronicles 26:25-26). Shelomith was his descendant. (See SHELOMITH.) 3. 1 Chronicles 7:8. 4. 1 Chronicles 15:24. 5. 1 Chronicles 27:16. 6. Dodavah's son, of Mareshah in Judah (2 Chronicles 20:35-37). Prophesied against Jehoshaphat that "the Lord had broken (at Ezion Geber) his works" (i.e. his ships of Tarshish designed to go to Ophir for gold) for joining himself with Ahaziah king of Israel "who did very wickedly" (1 Kings 22:49). On Ahaziah's proposing a second joint expedition, Jehoshaphat taught by bitter experience (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Revelation 18:4) refused. The names suggest that possibly he was sprung from Eleazer son of Dodo (2 Samuel 23:9), one of David's three mighties. 7. A "chief" and "man of understanding" whom Ezra sent to Iddo at Casiphia in order to bring the Nethinim, as minister for the house of God (Ezra 8:16). 8. Ezra 10:18; Ezra 10:23; Ezra 10:31. 9. Luke 3:29.