ELIASIB (Heb. 'Eljā'ibh). — High priest in the time of Esdra and Neemia, son of Ioachia and father of Ioiada (Neh. 3:1, 20; 12:10). He took part (Neh. 3:1) in the rebuilding work promoted by Neemia, but without enthusiasm; in fact, he had contracted a mixed marriage with an Ammonite woman and maintained cordial relations with Tobia, sheikh of the land of Ammon, a constant opponent of Neemia’s work. To this foreign prince E. had granted the use of a room in the Temple of Jerusalem (Neh. 13:4–7).
Another five Israelites bearing this name occur in I Par. 3:24 (the Vulgate has Elianib here); 24:12; Eid. 10:24, 27, 36. Angelo Penna