Barzillai בַּרְזִלַּי
Ancestor of a priestly family who returned from exile.
Who is Barzillai in the Bible?
Barzillai appears in Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63 as the ancestor of a priestly family who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. According to these passages, Barzillai had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy supporter of King David, and his descendants took on his name. When these descendants sought to be registered as priests after the exile, they were unable to prove their genealogical lineage and were consequently excluded from priestly service until their ancestry could be verified through consultation with the Urim and Thummim. This reference underscores the post-exilic community's concern for maintaining proper genealogical records and the ritual purity of the priesthood as Israel was being restored.
Biography
Barzillai is mentioned in Ezr.2.61 and Neh.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.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:61
"And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name)."
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Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:63
"And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name)."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בַּרְזִלַּי | Barzillai , the name of three Israelites |