### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Ἐλιέζερ (Eliézer), Strong's G1663, is a transliteration of the Hebrew proper noun אֱלִיעֶזֶר (Eliezer), Strong's `{{H461}}`. As a proper name, its semantic range is tied directly to the individuals who bear it. However, the inherent meaning of the Hebrew components of the name is profoundly significant: "My God is help" or "God of help." The name combines אֵל (El), meaning "God" or "God of," with עֶזֶר (ezer), meaning "help" or "aid." Thus, the name itself serves as a confessional statement about the character and activity of God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Eliezer appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament (via its Hebrew origin `{{H461}}`) and once in the New Testament (as G1663).
1. **Moses' Son:** The most prominent figure bearing this name in the Old Testament is Eliezer, the younger son of Moses and Zipporah ([[Exodus 18:4]]). Moses explicitly explains the naming of his son: "The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh." This account underscores the name's meaning as a direct testimony to divine deliverance and personal salvation. It functions as a perpetual reminder of God's intervention in Moses' life.
2. **Abraham's Servant:** While not directly represented by G1663 (which appears only in the New Testament), the most famous Eliezer in the Hebrew Bible is Eliezer of Damascus, Abraham's trusted servant ([[Genesis 15:2]]). Though not explicitly called "Eliezer" in [[Genesis 24]], he is widely understood to be the servant entrusted with finding a wife for Isaac. This figure embodies faithfulness, obedience, and reliance on divine guidance in a crucial mission, further associating the name with God's providential care in significant life events.
3. **Other Old Testament Figures (via `{{H461}}`):**
* A chief of the Reubenites ([[1 Chronicles 5:8]]).
* A priest who blew the trumpet before the ark ([[1 Chronicles 15:24]]).
* A prophet, son of Dodavah of Mareshah, who rebuked King Jehoshaphat for his alliance with Ahaziah ([[2 Chronicles 20:37]]).
* A Levite leader during the time of Ezra, sent by Ezra to gather ministers for the temple ([[Ezra 8:16]]).
* A priest among those who had taken foreign wives after the exile ([[Ezra 10:18]]).
* Another Israelite among those who had taken foreign wives ([[Ezra 10:23]]).
* A Levite gatekeeper in the time of Nehemiah ([[Nehemiah 12:41]]).
4. **New Testament Occurrence:** The sole occurrence of G1663 in the New Testament is in the genealogy of Jesus as recorded by Luke ([[Luke 3:29]]). Here, Eliezer is listed as an ancestor of Jesus, linking the theme of "God is help" directly into the Messianic lineage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the Hebrew original, `{{H461}}` (אֱלִיעֶזֶר), from which the Greek G1663 is derived. The components of the Hebrew name itself are crucial:
* `{{H410}}` (אֵל - El): Signifying God, the divine, emphasizing the source of help.
* `{{H5826}}` (עֶזֶר - ezer): Meaning help, aid, succor, highlighting the nature of God's intervention.
Concepts closely associated with Eliezer include:
* Divine Providence and Intervention
* Deliverance from danger
* Faithfulness and Trust in God
* Testimony to God's character
* Lineage and heritage, particularly in the context of the Messianic line
### Theological Significance
The consistent appearance of the name Eliezer throughout biblical history, from the patriarchs to the post-exilic period and even into the genealogy of Christ, carries profound theological weight.
1. **God as the Ultimate Helper:** The very meaning of the name—"My God is help"—serves as a constant theological declaration. It reminds believers that God is not a distant deity but an active, intervening, and compassionate helper in times of need. Moses' naming of his son Eliezer is a powerful personal testimony to this truth, anchoring the name in the experience of divine deliverance.
2. **Testimony and Remembrance:** The name functions as a perpetual testimony to God's faithfulness. Each individual named Eliezer, whether consciously or not, carried a name that proclaimed God's character as a deliverer and provider. This serves as a reminder for all generations to remember God's past acts of help and to trust in His future assistance.
3. **Continuity of Divine Aid:** The presence of multiple individuals named Eliezer across different eras of Israelite history underscores the continuous nature of God's help for His people. From Abraham's household management to prophetic pronouncements and the restoration efforts after exile, God's aid is consistently available.
4. **Messianic Connection:** The inclusion of an Eliezer in Jesus' genealogy ([[Luke 3:29]]) is particularly significant. It subtly weaves the theme of "God is help" into the very fabric of salvation history, culminating in Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the ultimate deliverer and helper, embodies the full meaning of the name Eliezer, bringing the ultimate divine aid to humanity through His life, death, and resurrection. The lineage points to the fact that God's help, promised throughout history, finds its perfect fulfillment in the person of the Messiah.
### Summary
G1663, Ἐλιέζερ (Eliézer), is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name meaning "My God is help." This proper noun is primarily associated with Moses' son, whose naming explicitly testifies to God's deliverance from Pharaoh. While G1663 appears only once in the New Testament (in Jesus' genealogy), its Hebrew root `{{H461}}` refers to numerous Old Testament figures, including Abraham's faithful servant and a prophet who rebuked King Jehoshaphat. The name consistently highlights the theological truth of God's active providence, aid, and faithfulness throughout biblical history. Its presence in the Messianic line underscores that God's help, a consistent theme in the Old Testament, finds its ultimate and perfect manifestation in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
TRV