Eliezer
“God is my help (same as Lazarus)”
Summary
Most notably, Abraham's chief servant and steward from Damascus who faithfully sought a bride for Isaac; also the name of Moses' second son and several other men in Scripture.
☩Abraham's Steward
Eliezer of Damascus was Abraham's chief servant and steward, the one who would have inherited Abraham's estate in the absence of a son. He was probably the 'elder servant of his house' sent to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. His conduct on this mission reveals a devout man who trusted God to prosper his journey. His prayer for guidance, God's gracious answer through Rebekah's actions, and his thanksgiving demonstrate the way God cares for His people's concerns. His mission is seen as a type of the Holy Spirit's work in gathering a bride for Christ—as Eliezer adorned Rebekah with jewels for her journey to Isaac, so the Spirit adorns believers with spiritual graces as He leads them to the heavenly Bridegroom.
☩Moses' Son
Eliezer was the second son of Moses and Zipporah, so named by Moses 'because the God of my father was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.' He remained with his grandfather Jethro when Moses returned to Egypt, rejoining his father after the Exodus.
☩Other Men Named Eliezer
Several other men bore this name: a son of Becher the Benjamite; a priest who helped bring the ark to Jerusalem; the ruler over the Reubenites in David's time; a prophet who rebuked King Jehoshaphat for his alliance with wicked King Ahaziah of Israel; one whom Ezra sent to fetch Levites for the journey to Jerusalem; three who put away foreign wives; and an ancestor of Jesus in Luke's genealogy.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Eliezer," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Eliezer," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Eliezer," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).