Original Word: אֱלִיאָב
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Eliy'ab
Pronunciation: eh-lee-AHV
Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-awb')
KJV: Eliab
NASB: Eliab, Eliab's
Word Origin: [from H410 (אֵל - God) and H1 (אָב - father)]

1. God of (his) father
2. Eliab, the name of six Israelites

Eliab

From 'el and 'ab; God of (his) father; Eliab, the name of six Israelites -- Eliab.

see HEBREW 'el

see HEBREW 'ab

Word Origin
from el and ab
Definition
"God is father," the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Eliab (20), Eliab's (1).

אֱלִיאָב proper name, masculine (God is father, compare אֲבִיאֵל)

a. prince of Zebulon Numbers 1:9; Numbers 2:7; Numbers 7:24,29; Numbers 10:16.

b. prince of Reuben Numbers 16:1,12; Numbers 26:8,9; Deuteronomy 11:6.

c. brother of David 1 Samuel 16:6; 1 Samuel 17:3,28 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 2:13; 2Chronicles 11:18 (compare אֱלִיהוּ 1 Chronicles 27:18).

d. a Kohathite 1 Chronicles 6:12 = אֱלִיאֵל v.1 Chronicles 6:19 compare אֱלִיהוּ 1 Samuel 1:1.

e. a Gadite 1 Chronicles 12:9. feminine Levite singer 1 Chronicles 15:18,20; 1 Chronicles 16:5.

Occurrences and Identity

1. Eliab son of Helon – Tribal chief of Zebulun throughout the wilderness era (Numbers 1:9; 2:7; 7:24-29; 10:16).
2. Eliab son of Pallu – Reubenite patriarch whose sons Dathan and Abiram led the rebellion with Korah (Numbers 16:1, 12; 26:8-9; Deuteronomy 11:6).
3. Eliab son of Jesse – David’s eldest brother, present at Samuel’s anointing and at the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 16:6; 17:13, 28; 1 Chronicles 2:13; 2 Chronicles 11:18).
4. Eliab the Levite – Ancestor in the prophetic-musical line of Heman (1 Chronicles 6:27).
5. Eliab the Gadite – Third of the eleven Gadite “mighty men” who joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness (1 Chronicles 12:10).
6. Eliab the musician-Levite – One of the worship leaders appointed for the ark’s procession and for regular praise before it (1 Chronicles 15:18, 20; 16:5).

(Some scholars take the musical Eliab to be the same Levite as in 1 Chronicles 6; others distinguish them. Scripture is silent, so both identifications are noted.)

Eliab son of Helon: Representative Leadership

As prince of Zebulun, Eliab typifies faithful tribal representation. He is repeatedly listed among the heads of Israel during the census, the camp formation, and the dedication offerings. His actions model obedient participation in national worship. Numbers 7:24-25: “On the third day Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the Zebulunites, drew near. His offering was one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels…” The detailed parallelism with other tribal offerings highlights corporate equality before the LORD.

Eliab son of Pallu: A Sobering Lineage

Although Scripture records no direct rebellion by this Eliab, his sons personify insurrection. “And what He did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab son of Reuben, when the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them…” (Deuteronomy 11:6). The contrast between father and sons warns that heritage alone cannot secure covenant faithfulness; each generation must choose submission to divine authority.

Eliab son of Jesse: Natural Qualifications versus Divine Choice

When Samuel came to Bethlehem, “Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely here before the LORD is His anointed’” (1 Samuel 16:6). Tall, firstborn, battle-seasoned—Eliab embodied human expectations of kingship, yet the LORD rejected him. His irritation toward David at Elah (1 Samuel 17:28) exposes the self-reliance God resists. Thus Eliab becomes a foil for David, illustrating that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Eliab the Levite: Service in Worship

The genealogical note in 1 Chronicles 6 embeds Eliab in the line leading to Heman, one of the three chief musicians appointed by David. This heritage culminates in temple worship, suggesting that obedience in quiet generations prepares public ministry in future ones.

Eliab the Gadite: Valor Joined to Covenant Loyalty

Gad’s wilderness warriors display remarkable skill: “The least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand” (1 Chronicles 12:14). Eliab’s presence among them links the name to courageous commitment to God’s chosen king before his enthronement, demonstrating faith working through risk.

Eliab the Musician-Levite: Ordered Praise

In the ark procession, Eliab helps carry harps “to Alamoth” (1 Chronicles 15:20) and continues in the daily ministry: “Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed Edom [played] harps and lyres” (1 Chronicles 16:5). His role underscores the spiritual importance of skillful, organized worship (compare 1 Chronicles 25).

Later Royal Connection

Rehoboam’s wife Abihail is “the daughter of Eliab son of Jesse” (2 Chronicles 11:18), making Eliab an ancestor of Judah’s royal line beyond David. The narrative reminds readers that even those bypassed for kingship may still shape covenant history through their descendants.

Theological and Ministry Themes

• Representation – Eliab son of Helon shows how leaders stand before God on behalf of their people.
• Responsibility of Heritage – The Reubenite Eliab warns that godly lineage does not guarantee godly offspring.
• Divine Selection – Jesse’s firstborn reveals that God’s choice overturns human assumptions.
• Preparation for Worship – The Levite Eliab exemplifies generational investment in temple praise.
• Courageous Allegiance – The Gadite Eliab illustrates bold fidelity to the anointed before public vindication.

Practical Reflections

1. Examine leadership motives: Even respected positions, like Zebulun’s chief or Jesse’s firstborn, must yield to God’s sovereign criteria.
2. Guard the next generation: Parental influence is vital, yet personal surrender to God remains indispensable.
3. Cherish unseen faithfulness: The Levite Eliab’s genealogical mention affirms that hidden service can bear fruit centuries later.
4. Engage worship wholeheartedly: Eliab the musician challenges believers to combine skill, order, and devotion in congregational praise.
5. Stand with God’s purposes early: Like the Gadite Eliab, commitment in the wilderness prepares for triumph in Zion.

אֱלִיאָ֑ב אֱלִיאָ֔ב אֱלִיאָ֖ב אֱלִיאָ֛ב אֱלִיאָ֡ב אֱלִיאָ֣ב אֱלִיאָ֥ב אֱלִיאָ֨ב אֱלִיאָֽב׃ אֱלִיאָב֙ אֱלִיאָב֮ אליאב אליאב׃ וֶֽאֱלִיאָ֔ב וֶאֱלִיאָ֡ב ואליאב ’ĕ·lî·’āḇ ’ĕlî’āḇ eliAv veeliAv we’ĕlî’āḇ we·’ĕ·lî·’āḇInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts