Illustration created for this project.
Eleazar
A son of Aaron who succeeded him as high priest and served alongside Joshua.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 2
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 2
Family & lineage
Tribe & people
BibleOf the tribe of Levi.
Numbers 20:28
Life, role & deeds
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersThe first-century Jewish historian Josephus recounts Eleazar's succession to his father Aaron as high priest and his role under Joshua, though his narrative is a retelling of the Pentateuchal account rather than independent attestation.
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 4.4.7 (4.83), where Aaron dies and Eleazar succeeds him as high priest, and Book 5, on his service under Joshua—a retelling of Numbers–Joshua, not independent attestation.
Death & legacy
ScholarlyA long-standing Samaritan and local tradition identifies the tomb of Eleazar at the village of Awarta, near Nablus, associating it with the biblical burial site 'in the hill of Phinehas his son.' This is a venerated tradition, not an excavated or inscribed find.
Samaritan tradition locating Eleazar's tomb at Awarta; identification is traditional, unverified archaeologically.
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe Hebrew name Eleazar (El'azar) is a theophoric compound meaning 'God has helped' or 'God is helper,' formed from El plus the root 'azar ('to help'). It is the same name later borne in Greek form as Lazarus.
Standard onomastic analysis of the Hebrew name ʾElʿāzār (BDB / HALOT lexica).