Eliezer was Moses’ second son and his first son was named Gershom. Moses married Zipporah (Exodus 2:11-21) who was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, a Kenite priest of Midian (Judges 4:11). Moses and Zipporah had two sons that were born during the time Moses had taken refuge in Midian.
The name Eliezer means “My father’s God (Elohei Avi) was my helper (Bi’ezeri), rescuing me from Pharaoh’s sword” (Exodus 14:4). This name revealed Moses gratefulness for God’s protection that he received during his escape from Egypt. In contrast, the name Moses gave his first son, Gershom, means “banishment” (ch. 2:22), which shows a spirit of sadness that was natural to a life of exile in the desert.
When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt, Moses left the desert and returned to Egypt with his wife and two sons (Ex. 4:20). Gershom, the elder, had been circumcised in accordance with God’s instructions to Abraham (Gen. 17:10–14). But in the case of Eliezer, the younger son, this ceremony was neglected by the parents. Not believing in the necessity of circumcision, Zipporah resisted her husband’s intention to circumcise Eliezer at the right time.
On the way, the Lord sent his angel who appeared to Moses in a threatening manner as if he intended to kill him. God showed Moses that He did not excuse him from administering the rite of circumcision “And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him” (Exodus 4:24). When Zipporah saw that her husband’s life was in danger, she carried on the operation of circumcision herself (Exodus 4:25) and saved her husband. And Moses was able to go on to fulfill God’s mission.
The book of 1 Chron. 23:17, tells us that Eliezer had but one son, Rehabiah, whose descendants became many in the time of Solomon “Of the descendants of Eliezer, Rehabiah was the first. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.”
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
