Eliezer of Damascus. Jesus likely spoke this parable, not in Greek, but in the common oral tongue of the Jews. In Hebrew, Lazarus is rendered Eliezer, and literally means “God has helped.”Jan 22, 2018
What is the Hebrew name for Lazarus?
Lazarus is a given name and surname. It is derived from the Hebrew אלעזר, Elʿāzār (Eleazar) meaning “God has helped”.
http://dustydisciples.blogspot.com/2011/08/faithful-eliezer-lazarus.html
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Faithful Eliezer (Lazarus)
A good example of how the translation of a name affects the understanding of scripture comes from the story of the rich man and Lazarus, (Luke 16:19-31). Readers should notice that in the story the rich man has no name, but the poor man is given the name “Lazarus.” Since the poor man is given a name, the reader should appreciate that the name must have some significance. Apart from the story of the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:1-45), which is not considered the same man by most scholars, there is no other “Lazarus” in scripture. However, if we realize that the Hebrew name for Lazarus is Eliezer (sometimes Eleazer), the story takes on additional meaning.
Eliezer was the faithful servant of Abraham who would have received the estate of Abraham if Abraham had no offspring, (Gen 15:2). After the death of Sarah, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Both Greek and Hebrew commentators universally believe this servant to be Eliezer. If Eliezer is successful in finding a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s primary inheritance will go to Isaac and not Eliezer. Yet, against personal gain, Eliezer is seen as Abraham’s faithful servant acting in the best interest of Abraham. Eliezer found Rebekah for Isaac (Gen 24:15), and the rest is history.
In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Lazarus dies and “was carried away by angels to Abraham’s bosom,” (Luke 16:22). “Abraham’s bosom,” along with “paradise” (Luke 23:43), “Garden of Eden,” “under the altar” (Rev 6:9), etc., is one of the Hebrew metaphors for the place where the righteous souls of the departed dwell. Since the original Eliezer was a faithful servant, the hearers of Jesus’ parable would naturally expect someone with the name Eliezer to end up in Abraham’s bosom.
This becomes a pattern for the expectation of the believer. Just as the faithful Eliezer died and went to the dwelling place of his master, the faithful servant of Jesus is promised a dwelling place with the Master.
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also,” (John 14:2-3).
Shabbot Shalom Scott
Watchmen On The Pod 