Who was Eliel in the Bible?

Eliel was a Levite leader during King David's reign. He is specifically noted for helping to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:9-11).

What did Eliel do in the Bible?

His primary recorded action was assisting in the sacred transport of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This was a major event in Israel's worship, restoring the Ark to the center of national life.

Why is Eliel significant in the Bible?

Eliel represents the faithful Levites who ensured proper worship. His role highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in handling holy things, as seen in the careful moving of the Ark (1 Chronicles 15:2, 13-15).

Eliel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeaderLevite

Eliel, a Levite leader, assisted in bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem during David's reign.

Eliel

Biography

Eliel was a Levite leader who participated in the momentous procession that brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem during David's reign (1 Chronicles 15:9, 11). He belonged to the family of Hebron and held a position of authority among the Levitical clans summoned by David for this sacred task. After the tragic death of Uzzah during an earlier, improperly conducted attempt to move the ark (1 Chronicles 13), David consulted the Levites and learned that only they could carry the ark according to Mosaic law. Eliel was among those who helped ensure that this second attempt was conducted with proper reverence and procedure. The successful transport of the ark to Zion was a defining moment in David's reign, establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual center of Israel.

Significance

Eliel's role in the transfer of the ark underscores one of the central theological lessons of the ark narratives: God's holiness demands approach on His terms rather than human convenience. The failure of the first ark procession and the subsequent careful obedience of the Levites, including Eliel, illustrates that genuine worship must be grounded in reverence and fidelity to divine instruction. Eliel's service at this pivotal moment contributed to the establishment of Jerusalem as the city of God, the place where heaven and earth met in Old Testament worship. His participation models the truth that faithful priestly service, carried out according to God's revealed will, is integral to the advance of covenant community and genuine worship.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 15:9 1Chr 15:11

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]

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