Bible Dictionary
Eliashib
Eliashib was the name of several Israelites, including a priestly course leader and the high priest who helped rebuild Jerusalem’s wall under Nehemiah. He was later criticized for allowing Tobiah to use a temple chamber.
Definition
Eliashib was the name of several Israelites, including a priestly course leader, a descendant of David, and a high priest in Nehemiah’s time. The high priest helped rebuild Jerusalem’s wall but was later criticized for allowing Tobiah to use a temple chamber.
Biblical Usage
The high priest Eliashib participated in rebuilding the wall and was later associated with Tobiah. Other men named Eliashib were priests, singers, or Israelites who had married foreign wives.
Historical Background
The high priest lived near the eastern wall on Ophel. His later alliance with Tobiah provoked Nehemiah’s indignation, and a grandson was expelled after marrying a daughter of Sanballat.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom God will restore. (1.) A priest, head of one of the courses of the priests of the time of David (1 Chr. 24:12). (2.) A high priest in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah (Neh. 12:22, 23). He rebuilt the eastern city wall (3:1), his own mansion being in that quarter, on the ridge Ophel (3:20, 21). His indulgence of Tobiah the Ammonite provoked the indignation of Nehemiah (13:4, 7).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(whom God restores).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>e-li'-a-shib ('elyashibh, "God restores"):</p><p>(1) A descendant of David (1Ch 3:24).</p><p>(2) Head of the eleventh course of priests (1Ch 24:12).</p><p>(3) The high priest in the time of Nehemiah. He, with his brethren the priests, helped in the rebuilding of the wall (Ne 3:1). But later he was "allied unto Tobiah" the Ammonite (Ne 13:4) and allowed that enemy of Nehemiah the use of a great chamber in the temple (Ne 13:5); and one of his grandsons, a son of Joiada, married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite and was for this expelled from the community by Nehemiah (Ne 13:28).</p><p>See SANBALLAT.</p><p>(4, 5, 6) Three Israelites, one a "singer," who had married foreign wives (Ezr 10:24,27,36).</p><p>(7) Father of Jehohanan (Ezr 10:6); probably identical with (3) above. Called Eliasib in /APC 1Esdras 9:1.</p><p>F. K. Farr</p>