Zerahiah זְרַחְיָה
Priest, ancestor of Ezra
Who is Zerahiah in the Bible?
Zerahiah was a priest in ancient Israel and an ancestor of Ezra the scribe, appearing in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 6:6, 6:51, and Ezra 7:4. He descended from Eleazar, the son of Aaron, and served as part of the legitimate priestly line, with Uzzi as his father and Meraioth as his son. Though little is recorded about his individual life and ministry, Zerahiah's inclusion in the genealogies emphasizes Ezra's priestly credentials and authority, establishing that the famous scribe who led the spiritual reformation of the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile came from an impeccable line of temple priests.
Biography
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.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study content1 Chronicles 3 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:6
"Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth,"
- 1 Chronicles 6:51
"Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah 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 7:4
"the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,"
Study Ezra →
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 | זְרַחְיָה |
| Named | Hebrew | אֲחִיטוּב |