Lexical Definition
זְרַחְיָה Zᵉrachyâh (zer-akh-yaw') Zerahiah N:N-M-P
from זֶרַח and יָהּ; Jah has risen
Zerahiah.
- § Zerahiah = "Jehovah has risen"
- Zerachjah, the name of two Israelites
1) a priest, son of Uzzi, and ancestor of Ezra the scribe
2) father of Elihoenai of the sons of Pahath-moab, whose descendants returned from the captivity with Ezra
Extended Information
- A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.6
- son of: Uzzi (עֻזִּי)
- father of: Meraioth (מְרָיוֹת); also called Ahitub at 1Ch.9.11 1x
- Also named: a.chi.tuv (אֲחִיטוּב "Ahitub" אֲחִיטוּב)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
זְרַחְיָה proper name, masculine (׳י hath risen, or shined; Sabean דֿרחאל Hal49) — ᵐ5 Ζαραια: —
1. priest 1Chr 5:32* (twice in verse); 1Chr 6:36*; Ezra 7:4.
2. head of a family of returned exiles Ezra 8:4 (= 1 ?).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Chronicles | 5:32* · 6:36* |
| Ezra | 7:4 · 8:4 |
Profile
Male • Returned priest • Priest, ancestor of Ezra
Priest living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Zerahiah (or Ahitub), a priest, was an ancestor of Ezra the scribe (1Ch.6.6,6,51; Ezr.7.4; 1Ch.9.11; Neh.11.11).
- A priest from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.6;
- referred to as Zerahiah זְרַחְיָה, or Ahitub אֲחִיטוּב;
- a son of Uzzi עֻזִּי;
- father of Meraioth מְרָיוֹת.
Zerahiah, also known as Ahitub, was a priest mentioned in the genealogies of the priestly families in 1 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. He was an ancestor of Ezra the scribe, who played a significant role in the spiritual reformation of the Jews after their return from Babylonian exile. In the genealogies, Zerahiah is listed as the son of Uzzi and the father of Meraioth. He was part of the line of priests descending from Eleazar, the son of Aaron. As a priest, Zerahiah would have served in the temple and carried out the religious duties prescribed for the Levitical priesthood. His inclusion in the genealogies of Ezra emphasizes the scribe's priestly lineage and authority.
All entries for Zerahiah or Ahitub: זְרַחְיָה ☩ אֲחִיטוּב