Eliab

Byzantine silver plate depicting David's confrontation with Eliab.

For the Christian martyr, see Abda and Abdjesus

Eliab was the name of at least three individuals mentioned in the Bible:

• The son of Helon, one of the leaders of the tribes of Israel and a prince of the house of Zebulun according to Numbers 1:9.

• The son of Pallu and the father of Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram according to Numbers 26:8-9.

• The eldest son of Jesse, and thus the eldest brother of King David. He was apparently tall and had fair features, but not the proper heart to be king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:7). "Do not consider his appearance or his height...the Lord looks at the heart." Some commentators have suggested that it was due to his temper, as he argued with David before David went to fight Goliath.