Eliashib אֶלְיָשִׁיב
Priest who married a foreign woman during Ezra's time
Who is Eliashib in the Bible?
Eliashib was a priest during the time of Ezra who had married a foreign woman, violating Jewish law against intermarriage with non-Israelites (Ezra 10:24). When Ezra returned from exile and discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had taken foreign wives, he initiated religious reforms to restore covenant faithfulness. Eliashib was among those priests called to account for this violation and pledged to separate from his foreign wife as part of the reformation effort. His case represents the broader struggle during the postexilic period to maintain Israel's religious identity and obedience to God's laws regarding separation from pagan practices.
Biography
Eliashib is mentioned in Ezr.10.24 as one of the priests who had married foreign women. During the time of Ezra, many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the pagan inhabitants of the land. Ezra called for a reform, urging those who had married foreign wives to separate from them. Eliashib was among the priests who had taken foreign wives, contrary to God's law. As part of the reform, Eliashib and the other priests pledged to put away their foreign wives and children.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:24
"From the singers: Eliashib. From the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶלְיָשִׁיב |