Elazar
EL-AH-ZAR
Elazar is a classical Hebrew name composed of two elements: El, meaning God, and azar, meaning help or aid. Together the name declares that God has helped, a sentiment of divine assistance and gratitude. In the Torah, Elazar was the third son of Aaron the High Priest and succeeded his father as the second High Priest of Israel. His priestly lineage and role in leading the Israelites into Canaan give the name deep religious resonance within Jewish tradition.
At a glance
A priestly Hebrew name meaning God has helped, Elazar carries ancient biblical weight as the name of Israel's second High Priest. Rare, distinguished, and deeply rooted in Jewish heritage.
Etymology & History
Elazar is formed from the Hebrew elements El (God) and azar (to help). The name is closely related to Eliezer, which shares the same root with a slightly different construction, and to the Latinised form Eleazar used in Christian scriptural traditions. Lazar and Lazarus are later derivatives that entered European languages through Greek and Latin transmission of the Hebrew scriptures.
Cultural Significance
Elazar holds particular significance within Jewish religious tradition as a name of priestly and scholarly prestige. As the son of Aaron and successor to the High Priesthood, Elazar represents continuity of sacred service and divine purpose. The name appears multiple times in the Talmud, carried by revered sages, which deepened its association with wisdom and Torah scholarship. It remains in use within traditional Jewish communities, particularly Sephardic families where the variant Elazar is common. Its rarity outside religious communities gives it an air of distinction.
Famous people named Elazar
Elazar ben Aaron (Torah)
Son of Aaron the High Priest and the second High Priest of Israel. He assisted Moses and later Joshua during the Israelites' journey and entry into the Land of Canaan.
Elazar ben Azariah
Prominent Tanna of the Mishnaic period, a descendant of Ezra who served as a leading sage and temporary Nasi of the Sanhedrin.
Elazar Benyoetz
Israeli aphorist and writer, known for his poetic philosophical sayings written in German.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Elazar
Aaron
“Exalted, mountain of strength, enlightened”
Aaron is a Hebrew name meaning "exalted" or "mountain of strength." Some scholars also connect it to the Egyptian word for "great warrior" or "enlightened." The name evokes a sense of elevated purpose and quiet authority, befitting one of the most important figures in the Hebrew Bible.
Eliezer
“God is my help”
Eliezer is a Hebrew name composed of 'El' meaning God and 'ezer' meaning help or assistance, giving the meaning God is my help or my God is a helper. The name appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible. The most prominent Eliezer is Abraham's chief servant in Genesis, who is sent to find a wife for Isaac and succeeds through divine guidance, a story of faith and obedience celebrated in Jewish tradition. Eliezer ben Moses is also the name of one of Moses's two sons. In Talmudic literature, Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus is one of the most respected sages of the Mishnaic period. The name has remained in continuous use within Jewish communities across millennia.
Ezra
“Helper”
From the Hebrew ezra, meaning 'help' or 'helper'. In the Hebrew Bible, Ezra was a priestly scribe who led the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon, making the name synonymous with leadership and restoration.
Lazarus
“God has helped”
Lazarus is a name of immense historical and spiritual weight, long associated with themes of revival, resilience, and divine intervention. While rare as a given name in modern English-speaking countries, it carries a powerful gravitas that appeals to parents seeking something deeply rooted and meaningful. Its associations with rebirth have made it a recurring name in literature, music, and art.
Moshe
“Drawn from water”
Moshe is the Hebrew form of Moses, one of the most significant figures in the entire Hebrew Bible. The name is explained in the Torah as meaning drawn from water, because Pharaoh's daughter drew the infant Moses from the Nile. Some scholars also see connections to the Egyptian word mes, meaning child or son, as in the pharaonic names Thutmose and Rameses. Moshe led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is revered in Judaism as the greatest prophet who ever lived.
Where you'll find Elazar
Elazar shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.