1. Name and Meaning
• Name: Eliud (Greek: Ἐλιούδ, Elioud; derived from Hebrew elements)
• Meaning: Likely means “God is majesty” or “God is my praise,” from El (God) and hod (majesty, glory)
2. Genealogical Placement and Lineage Role
• Position: Fifty-fifth generation from Adam; forty-fifth generation after the flood in the Messianic line
• Father: Achim – a post-exilic Davidic descendant
• Son: Eleazar – carried the line forward toward Joseph
• Lineage Role: Maintained the legal Davidic line in the generations leading up to the birth of Christ, as recorded in Matthew’s genealogy
3. Life Summary and Historical Setting
• No narrative or historical details are recorded outside Matthew 1:14
• Lived during the Roman occupation or transitional period just prior, likely within the final centuries of Second Temple Judaism
• Part of the “silent” lineage—faithfully preserving the royal line in anticipation of the Messiah
4. Theological and Christological Significance
• A name signifying praise and majesty, symbolically pointing to the glorification of God in Christ
• Stands within the divinely ordained Davidic succession, showing God’s consistent preservation of promise despite sociopolitical obscurity
• Part of the legal ancestry establishing Jesus’ royal Messianic credentials through Joseph
5. Legacy and Interpretive Reflections
• Although unknown outside the genealogy, Eliud’s role affirms that even the most hidden lives can carry profound theological significance
• Embodies the broader redemptive theme: God works through unnamed generations to accomplish His purposes
• His appearance in Matthew highlights the Gospel writer’s emphasis on structured lineage and divine faithfulness
6. Summary Insight
• Eliud quietly upheld the Messianic line during a historically silent era—his inclusion in Jesus’ genealogy is a testimony to God’s enduring plan across generations.
7. Biblical References
• Matthew 1:14