Harim חָרִם
A priestly division during David's reign.
Who is Harim in the Bible?
Harim was a priestly division established during King David's reign, with the third lot falling to this group when David organized the priests for temple service (1 Chronicles 24:8). Members of the Harim division were among the priests who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel, as recorded in Ezra 2:39 and Nehemiah 7:42. Some descendants of Harim, including the priest Maaseiah, married foreign women during the time of Ezra and later agreed to divorce them as part of the religious reforms (Ezra 10:21, 10:31). The significance of Harim lies in its role as part of the structured priesthood that maintained continuity of worship through Israel's exile and restoration.
Biography
Harim was the name of a priestly division during the reign of King David. When David organized the priests into divisions for their service in the temple, the third lot fell to Harim. Members of the Harim division were among the priests who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. Some of their descendants, including Maaseiah, married foreign women during the time of Ezra and agreed to put them away. (1Ch.24.8; Ezr.2.39; 10.21; Neh.7.42).
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study content1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 24:8
"the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,"
Ezra 3 verses
- Ezra 2:39
"and the descendants of Harim, 1,017."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 10:21
"From the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 10:31
"From the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:42
"and the descendants of Harim, 1,017."
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חָרִם |
Harim
those who married foreign wives (Ezr 10:31); also mentioned among those who renewed the covenant (Ne 10:27).
(2) A priestly family returning with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:39; Ne 7:42; 12:3,15 (see REHUM)); members of this family covenanted to put away their foreign wives (Ezr 10:21; Ne 10:5). A family of this name appears as the third of the priestly courses in the days of David and Solomon (1Ch 24:8).
(3) In Ne 3:11 is mentioned Malchijah, son of Harim, one of the wall-builders. Which family is here designated is uncertain.
W. N. Stearns
ha'-rif (chariph, chariph): One of those who returned from exile under Zerubbabel and helped to seal the covenant under Nehemiah and Ezra (Ne 7:24; 10: