In the book of Numbers, as the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land, the Lord provided a specific list of men responsible for the fair and divine distribution of the territory. Among these selected leaders was Elidad (meaning “My God has loved” or “Beloved of God”).
A Prince of Benjamin
Elidad was the son of Chislon and served as the prince (leader) of the tribe of Benjamin. His selection was not based on a popular vote but was a direct appointment by God through Moses.
“And the prince of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.” (Numbers 34:21, KJV)
While many figures in the wilderness were noted for their military exploits or their rebellions, Elidad is remembered for his administrative faithfulness. He was one of the few men of his generation—alongside Joshua and Caleb—entrusted with the sacred task of dividing the Land of Promise among the families of Israel.
The Task of Divine Partition
The role Elidad occupied was one of immense pressure and spiritual weight. He sat on a “commission” headed by Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. Their mandate was to ensure that the land was divided “by lot,” according to the command of the Lord.
- Preventing Strife: By having a designated prince like Elidad for each tribe, God provided a system that prevented tribal infighting. Elidad acted as the advocate for Benjamin while remaining submissive to the divine lot.
- A Steward of the Future: Elidad was not just looking at dirt and hills; he was overseeing the physical fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham. He was a steward of the “rest” that God had promised His people.
The Character of “The Beloved”
Though the biblical record of Elidad is brief, his name and his office reveal much about his standing in the congregation:
- Tested and Found Faithful: Elidad was part of the younger generation that survived the forty years of wandering. He had witnessed the consequences of unbelief at Kadesh-barnea and chose instead the path of obedience.
- A Man of Trust: To be chosen to divide the inheritance required a man of unimpeachable integrity. He had to be a leader whom the people of Benjamin trusted to represent their interests fairly before the Lord.
- God-Centered Identity: His name, Elidad, served as a constant testimony to the camp. In a desert of hardship, he stood as a reminder that they were still the “Beloved of God.”
Lessons from Elidad’s Life
Elidad’s inclusion in the “Who Was” files highlights the importance of Godly administration:
- The Dignity of Distribution: Not every hero of faith is a warrior on the front lines. Some, like Elidad, are heroes because they ensure that God’s blessings are distributed justly and according to His Word.
- Faith in the Promise: Elidad began his work while the land was still occupied by giants. His willingness to serve as a “divider of the land” was an act of faith that God would surely give them the victory.
- Order Over Chaos: God is not the author of confusion. Through men like Elidad, God showed that the life of the believer—and the community of faith—should be marked by order, structure, and divine appointment.