Shedeur שְׁדֵיאוּר
Father of Elizur, a leader of Reuben
Who is Shedeur in the Bible?
Shedeur was the father of Elizur, a prominent leader of the tribe of Reuben during Israel's wilderness wanderings. Elizur is mentioned in Numbers 1:5, 2:10, 7:30-35, and 10:18 as the chief representative of Reuben in the census and organization of the Israelite camp. As the father of this tribal leader, Shedeur appears in the biblical record only through his son's prominence, with no independent actions or roles recorded for himself. Elizur's leadership positioned the tribe of Reuben in the camp south of the tabernacle and as the second group in the marching order when Israel departed from Mount Sinai. Though Shedeur himself fades into the background, his significance lies in fathering one of the key leaders during a formative period in Israel's history.
Biography
Shedeur was the father of Elizur, a prominent leader from the tribe of Reuben. Elizur was chosen as the leader of the Reubenites in the census and organization of Israel in the wilderness (Num.1.5). He was in charge of the camp of Reuben, which was located on the south side of the tabernacle (Num.2.10).
Elizur represented Reuben when the leaders brought offerings for the dedication of the altar. He brought his offering on the fourth day (Num.7.30,35). When the Israelites set out from Mount Sinai, Elizur led the tribe of Reuben, along with the Simeonites and the Gadites, as the second group in the order of march (Num.10.18). Shedeur is mentioned only in reference to his son Elizur and is not recorded as having any other role or significance himself.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 5 verses
- Numbers 1:5
"These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur;"
- Numbers 2:10
"On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Reubenites is Elizur son of Shedeur,"
- Numbers 7:30
"On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the Reubenites, drew near."
- Numbers 7:35
"and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur."
- Numbers 10:18
"Then the divisions of the camp of Reuben set out under their standard, with Elizur son of Shedeur in command."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁדֵיאוּר |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Shedeur
sRef="Bible:Num.7.30">7:30). French Delitzsch correctly conceives the name as an Assyrian compound, sad uri, "daybreak." Cf, however, Gray, HPN, 169, 197, who emends the text to read Shaddai 'Ur, "Shaddai is flame."
1Names
The usual Hebrew word is tso'n, which is often translated "flock," e.g. "Abel .... brought of the firstlings of his flock" (Ge 4:4); "butter of the herd, an