אֱלִיצוּר
Elitsur, an Israelite
Definition
אֱלִיצוּר (Elitsur) is a proper name meaning 'God of (the) Rock' or 'My God is a Rock.' It belongs to a leader of the tribe of Reuben during the wilderness wanderings. In the biblical narrative, Elitsur is specifically appointed by God to assist Moses and Aaron in the census of the Israelites (Numbers 1:5) and serves as a tribal chief, leading his tribe's military contingent and offerings (Numbers 2:10, 7:30-35). The name consistently refers to this single, faithful individual who held a position of responsibility in the early organization of Israel.
Biblical Usage
This name is used exclusively in the book of Numbers, appearing five times in contexts of leadership, census, and worship. Elitsur is always identified as the son of Shedeur and the leader of the tribe of Reuben. His usage follows a pattern: he is named in the list of tribal leaders for the census (Numbers 1:5), in the arrangement of the camp (Numbers 2:10), and in the record of the leaders' offerings at the dedication of the altar (Numbers 7:30, 7:35). He is also mentioned in the description of the order of march (Numbers 10:18).
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew elements: אֵל (ʼēl, H410), meaning 'God,' and צוּר (tsûr, H6697), meaning 'rock' or 'cliff.' It is a theophoric name, common in ancient Israel, which explicitly identifies the bearer's relationship with God. The 'rock' imagery is a frequent metaphor for God's strength, stability, and protection (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:4).
Semantic Range
While a personal name, Elitsur's meaning and role carry theological weight. His name, 'God of the Rock,' echoes a central biblical metaphor for God's unchanging strength and refuge (Psalm 18:2). As a chosen leader during Israel's formative wilderness period, he represents God's provision of human leadership and structure for His people. Understanding his name enriches the reading of Numbers by connecting an individual's identity to God's enduring character and His active governance of the nation.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive or declarative, conveying hopes, character traits, or theological statements. A name like Elitsur publicly affirmed faith in God as the family's foundation and protector. His role as a tribal chief was a position of honor, military command, and representative authority within the community's clan-based structure.
Other theophoric names with 'Rock': צוּרִיאֵל (Tsuriel, H6758) — 'Rock of God' or 'My Rock is God.' Other Reubenite leaders: אֱלִיצָפָן (Elitsaphan, H469) — 'My God has protected' (a Kohathite leader).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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