Lexical Definition
בַּרְזִלַּי Barzillay (bar-zil-lah'-ee) Barzillai N:N-M-P
from בַּרְזֶל; iron-hearted
Barzillai.
- § Barzillai = "my iron"
- Barzillai, the name of three Israelites
1) a Gileadite leader who helped David defeat Absalom's rebellion
2) a priest, son-in-law to Barzillai the Gileadite
3) an Israelite from Mahalath whose son Adriel married Michal, Saul's daughter
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.61
Brown-Driver-Briggs
בַּרְזִלַּי proper name, masculine (man of iron) **no adjective from names of metals; perhaps Aramaic, and בַּר = son NesZPV xv.257; AJSL Apr. 1897. 173. —
1. a Gileadite 2Sam 17:27; 2Sam 19:32*; 2Sam 19:33*; 2Sam 19:35*; 2Sam 19:40*; 1Kgs 2:7 בַּרְזִלָּי֑ 2Sam 19:34*; Ezra 2:61 = Neh 7:63 בְּנֵי בַרְזִלַּי אֲשֶׁר לָקַח מִבְּנוֺת בַּרְזִלַּי הַגִּלְעָדִי וַיִּקָּרֵא עַלשְֿׁמָם, where 2nd Barzillai = above, & former is
2. a priest Ezra 2:61 = Neh 7:63, who adopted name בַּרְזִלַּי.
3. 2Sam 21:8 a Meholathite.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Samuel | 17:27 · 19:32* · 19:33* · 19:34* · 19:35* · 19:40* · 21:8 |
| 1 Kings | 2:7 |
| Ezra | 2:61 |
| Nehemiah | 7:63 |
Profile
Male • Returned priest • Ancestor of a priestly family who returned from exile.
Man living at the time of Exile and Return
The descendants of Barzillai were a priestly family who returned from Babylonian exile but could not prove their lineage.
- A priest living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.61;
- only referred to as Barzillai בַּרְזִלַּי.
Barzillai is mentioned in Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63 as the ancestor of a priestly family who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. According to these passages, the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai sought to be registered as priests but were unable to prove their priestly lineage. The text states that Barzillai had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite (likely the same Barzillai who supported David) and took on his name. Due to the uncertainty surrounding their genealogy, these priests were excluded from serving until a priest could consult the Urim and Thummim for divine guidance. The mention of Barzillai in this context highlights the importance of verifying priestly lineage and maintaining the purity of the priesthood after the exile.
All entries for Barzillai: בַּרְזִלַּי