Eliezer
About Eliezer
Eliezer son of Dodavahu, from Mareshah, was a prophet who spoke against Jehoshaphat king of Judah when Jehoshaphat joined Ahaziah king of Israel in building ships (2 Chronicles 20:35-37). Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah from 870 to 848 BC. The nineteenth-century commentator C. F. Keil, in his commentary on Chronicles, wrote that nothing more is known of Eliezer than this one saying.
Jehoshaphat, who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 20:32), later made an alliance with Ahaziah, "who acted wickedly" (2 Chronicles 20:35). Ahaziah son of Ahab had become king of Israel in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat's reign and reigned two years, from 853 to 852 BC (1 Kings 22:51). The two kings agreed to build ships to go to Tarshish, and the ships were built at Ezion-geber (2 Chronicles 20:36). Ezion-geber lay "near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea," where King Solomon had assembled a fleet of ships (1 Kings 9:26). Then Eliezer prophesied against Jehoshaphat: "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works" (2 Chronicles 20:37). So the ships were wrecked and could not sail to Tarshish (2 Chronicles 20:37). Earlier in his reign, Jehoshaphat had been confronted by Jehu son of Hanani the seer, who asked him, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?" (2 Chronicles 19:2).
The account in 1 Kings says that Jehoshaphat built "ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold," but they never set sail, because they were wrecked at Ezion-geber (1 Kings 22:48). Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, published about 1883, takes the phrase "ships of Tarshish" to mean ships built for long voyages at sea. At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab asked that his servants sail with Jehoshaphat's servants, and Jehoshaphat refused (1 Kings 22:49). In his commentary on Kings, Keil read the two accounts together: Ahaziah made his fresh proposal after the ships had been broken up at Ezion-geber, and Jehoshaphat turned him down because, once Eliezer's prediction had come true, he could hope for no better outcome.
Eliezer's home town, Mareshah, appears among the towns listed "in the foothills" (Joshua 15:33, 44). S. F. Hunter, in a 1915 Bible encyclopedia article, gives the meaning of the name Eliezer as "God is help." One reference work counts eleven different men named Eliezer in the Old Testament, among them Abraham's head servant, Moses' second son by Zipporah and this prophet.
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Historical Significance
Eliezer holds significant importance in understanding the historical and cultural context of the biblical world. As a figure mentioned in biblical texts, this person played a crucial role in the unfolding drama of salvation history. Their actions, decisions, and legacy provide valuable insights into the cultural, political, and religious dynamics of their time period. Key themes associated with this topic include: prophet, judgment, obedience, covenant.
Biblical References
Eliezer is mentioned in several biblical passages, providing multiple perspectives on its significance in Scripture. The primary biblical references include: 2 Chronicles 20:37.
These scriptural mentions help establish the historical and theological importance of Eliezer within the broader biblical narrative. Each reference provides unique insights into how this element fits into God's unfolding plan and the historical context of the ancient world.
Studying these passages in their original historical context enhances our understanding of both the immediate circumstances and the broader theological implications of the biblical text.
Scripture References:
Archaeological Evidence
Archaeological research has provided valuable insights into Eliezer and its place in the ancient world. While direct archaeological evidence for individuals can be rare, excavations have uncovered artifacts, inscriptions, and material culture from the periods and places associated with this figure. Such discoveries help reconstruct the historical context in which this person lived and the cultural conditions that shaped their world.
The field of biblical archaeology continues to evolve, with new discoveries regularly adding to our understanding of the ancient world. These findings not only support the historical reliability of biblical accounts but also enrich our appreciation for the complexity and richness of ancient Near Eastern civilizations.
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