Who was Eliashib in the Bible?

Eliashib was a priest who served during the reign of King David. He is listed among the Levitical priests appointed by David to oversee the service of the house of God (1 Chronicles 24:12).

What was Eliashib's role and significance?

As a priest, Eliashib's role was to perform sacred duties in the Tabernacle or Temple. His significance lies in being part of the priestly organization established by King David, which was crucial for maintaining Israel's worship and religious order.

What key events was Eliashib involved in?

The key event in Eliashib's life was his appointment by lot to the eleventh of twenty-four priestly divisions established by King David (1 Chronicles 24:1-19). This system ensured that priestly duties were performed in an orderly rotation.

Eliashib

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMalePriestKing

Eliashib was a priest who served during the reign of King David.

Eliashib

Biography

Eliashib was a priest who served during the era of King David and is listed in 1 Chronicles 24:12 as the head of the eleventh priestly division organized by David for rotation of service at the sanctuary. David famously reorganized the Levitical and priestly orders in preparation for the temple that his son Solomon would build, assigning each priestly family to a specific week of annual service. Eliashib's division would have served its designated weeks each year, maintaining the regular rhythm of sacrifice and worship that kept Israel's covenant relationship with God alive. Though little personal biographical detail is preserved about him, his place in the carefully structured priestly order reveals that he was a recognized leader among the sons of Aaron during a formative period of Israel's liturgical organization.

Significance

Eliashib, as head of the eleventh priestly division (1 Chronicles 24:12), embodies the principle that ordered, sustained worship lies at the heart of Israel's covenant identity. David's organization of the priestly courses was a landmark act of institutional wisdom, ensuring that the worship of God would not depend on any single individual but would be carried forward by a broad community of dedicated servants. Eliashib's place in this structure demonstrates that faithful service to God often takes the form of regular, unglamorous duty, showing up week by week to maintain the sacred rhythms of sacrifice and prayer. His legacy is one of faithful consistency in the service of the sanctuary.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherElioenai

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 24:12

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources