Meraioth מְרָיוֹת
A priest in the lineage of Eleazar.
Who is Meraioth in the Bible?
Meraioth was a priest descended from Eleazar, the son of Aaron, and appears in the genealogical records of Israel's priestly line (1 Chronicles 6:6-7, 52). He is mentioned multiple times throughout Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah as part of the official priestly genealogies and served as an ancestor in the line leading to Ezra the scribe (Ezra 7:3). After the Babylonian exile, Meraioth's descendants are listed among the priests who returned to Jerusalem and resumed their temple duties (1 Chronicles 9:11; Nehemiah 11:11). His significance lies in maintaining the continuity of the Levitical priesthood through Israel's most turbulent historical period, demonstrating God's preservation of the temple leadership even after exile.
Biography
Meraioth was a priest in the lineage of Eleazar, the son of Aaron (1Ch.6.6,7,52). He is mentioned in the genealogies of the priests and Levites in the books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. In the genealogy of Ezra, a descendant of Meraioth, he is listed as an ancestor of Ezra the scribe (Ezr.7.3). Meraioth is also mentioned in the list of priests who resided in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (1Ch.9.11; Neh.11.11).
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study content1 Chronicles 4 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:6
"Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth,"
- 1 Chronicles 6:7
"Meraioth was the father of Amariah, Amariah was the father of Ahitub,"
- 1 Chronicles 6:52
"Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,"
- 1 Chronicles 9:11
"Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of God’s temple;"
Ezra 1 verse
- Ezra 7:3
"the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,"
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Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 11:11
"Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of the house of God;"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מְרָיוֹת |
Meraioth
emeroth" in 1 Esdras 8:2; and "Marimoth" in 2 Esdras 1:2.
(2) The son of Ahitub and father of Zadok (1Ch 9:11).
(3) A priestly house of which, in the days of Joiakim, Helkai was head (Ne 12:15). In Ne 12:3 the name is given as "Meremoth."
me'-ran.
See MERRAN.
(1) The 3rd son of Levi, his brothers, Gershon and Kohath, being always