Who was Eliezer in the Bible?

Eliezer was a leader of the tribe of Reuben during the reign of King David. He is mentioned as one of the twelve tribal officers who served the king by overseeing their tribes month by month (1 Chronicles 27:16).

What was Eliezer's role in King David's administration?

Eliezer's role was as a tribal chief responsible for the monthly service and provisions for King David's court. He was part of a rotating system of leaders, each representing their tribe for one month of the year (1 Chronicles 27:1, 16).

Why is Eliezer mentioned in 1 Chronicles?

Eliezer is listed to document the organized structure of David's kingdom and the participation of all tribes in supporting the monarchy. His mention highlights that even tribes like Reuben, which had a complex history, were integrated into the national leadership (1 Chronicles 27:16-22).

Eliezer

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeader

Eliezer was the leader of the tribe of Reuben during King David's reign (1Ch.27.16).

Eliezer

Biography

Eliezer served as the appointed leader over the tribe of Reuben during King David's administrative reorganization of Israel (1 Chronicles 27:16). As one of the tribal officers whom David established to oversee the twelve tribes, Eliezer held a position of considerable civil and military responsibility. The Reubenites, descendants of Jacob's firstborn son, were assigned land east of the Jordan River, and their tribal leader would have been responsible for managing affairs, military musters, and representing the tribe before the king. Though Scripture records little else about this particular Eliezer, his inclusion in the royal administrative roster reflects David's effort to bring order and structure to the united kingdom through trusted tribal representatives.

Significance

Eliezer's role as tribal leader of Reuben under David illustrates the principle of delegated governance within Israel's covenant community. David's establishment of tribal administrators reflects God's provision of order and structure for His people. Even figures mentioned only in passing within genealogical and administrative lists testify to the comprehensive organization of Israel as a kingdom under divine mandate. Such leaders helped maintain tribal identity and unity within the broader national covenant, reminding readers that faithful stewardship in appointed roles, however obscure, contributes to the larger purposes of God's kingdom.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 27:16

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