Bible Figure
Eleazar
character from 2 Maccabees; described as a martyr
This Eleazar is the elderly Jewish scribe whose martyrdom for refusing unlawful food is told in 2 Maccabees, a deuterocanonical book rather than the Protestant Old Testament canon.
Biography
Second Maccabees 6 portrays Eleazar as an aged and respected scribe who was forced to open his mouth to eat pork. He chose death rather than violate the law or create the appearance that an elderly Jew had abandoned it. Even when offered a way to substitute permitted meat while pretending compliance, he refused because his example might mislead younger people. He was tortured and died declaring his reverence for God.
Biblical Significance
For AVWJ's canonical Bible-figures table, this record needs a clear deuterocanonical label or separate category. Within 2 Maccabees, Eleazar is presented as an example of fidelity to God's law under persecution.