Bible Dictionary
AVARAN
Avaran was a surname of Eleazar, the third son of Mattathias. The name’s meaning is uncertain; it may refer to piercing, his appearance, or the heroic act associated with his death in battle.
Definition
Avaran was a surname of Eleazar, the third son of Mattathias. The meaning is uncertain and has been connected with piercing, whiteness, or the episode associated with his death.
Biblical Usage
Eleazar Avaran is identified in 1 Maccabees as a son of Mattathias and is associated with the heroic attack on an elephant in battle.
Historical Background
Suggested explanations include “the piercer,” referring to his stabbing the elephant, or a connection with a white complexion. Syriac, Vulgate, and Septuagint forms differ.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>av'-a-ran: A surname of Eleazar, the third son of Mattathias (1 Macc 2:5). It is doubtfully conjectured that Eleazar received this surname from the episode related in 1 Macc 6:43-46; the word may mean "the piercer," referring to his stabbing of the elephant. Some connect it with chur, "to be white," and connect it with Eleazar's white complexion. The Syriac reads "Chavran" and the Vulgate's "Abaron"; the Septuagint in 1 Macc 6:43 gives Sauaran which is an error for Eleazaros auran; Septuagint's Codex Venetus corrects to auran.</p>