Eleazar Name Meaning & Details

Eleazar holds profound significance in Jewish tradition as a name borne by several important biblical and historical figures. In the Hebrew Bible, Eleazar was the third son of Aaron who succeeded him as High Priest, establishing a priestly lineage that continued for generations. The name appears throughout Jewish history, from the Maccabean period where Eleazar Avaran died heroically in battle, to Talmudic sages who shaped Jewish law and thought. During the Middle Ages, prominent rabbis and mystics named Eleazar contributed significantly to Jewish scholarship and Kabbalistic tradition. The name's enduring presence across millennia reflects its deep roots in Jewish religious identity and its association with spiritual leadership, scholarly pursuit, and divine assistance in times of trial.

In Christian tradition, the Greek form 'Lazarus' gained prominence through the biblical figure whom Jesus raised from the dead, adding layers of resurrection symbolism that expanded the name's cultural reach beyond Jewish communities. This connection transformed Eleazar from primarily a priestly name to one associated with miraculous recovery and second chances. The name's cross-cultural adaptations—from Hebrew Eleazar to Greek Lazarus to various European forms—demonstrate its ability to maintain core meaning while adapting to different linguistic and religious contexts, making it one of the more universally recognizable biblical names across Abrahamic traditions.