2387. Chezir
Lexical Summary
Chezir: Chezir

Original Word: חֵזִיר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Cheziyr
Pronunciation: khay-zeer'
Phonetic Spelling: (khay-zeer')
KJV: Hezir
NASB: Hezir
Word Origin: [from the same as H2386 (חֲזִיר - swine's)]

1. perhaps protected
2. Chezir, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Hezir

From the same as chaziyr; perhaps protected; Chezir, the name of two Israelites -- Hezir.

see HEBREW chaziyr

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as chazir
Definition
two Isr.
NASB Translation
Hezir (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חֵזִיר proper name, masculine (compare inscription in RA1867, plural 7, DrSm xxiii; NöZMG 1886, 162 'pointingֵ֯ to avoid offence;' but NbrAcad. 1887, Dec. 17 compare Talmud & ᵑ7 (חַזּוּרָא, חֵיזוּר, חֲזוּרָא etc.) pomegranate (and apple; Syriac , ), compare בְּנֵי רִמּוֺן 2 Samuel 4:2,5,9) —

1 a priest of 17th course (assigned to David's time) 1 Chronicles 24:15; ᵐ5 Χηξειν (16th, 1 Chronicles 24:14), but A Ιεξειρ, ᵐ5L Χηξειρ.

2 one of those sealed Nehemiah 10:21; ᵐ5 Ηξειρ, ᵐ5L Αξηρ.

Topical Lexicon
Historical Setting

Hezir appears twice in the Old Testament record, both times within priestly contexts (1 Chronicles 24:15; Nehemiah 10:20). The name identifies a father of a priestly house rather than a single individual acting in narrative. Through these two mentions Scripture traces the line from the united-monarchy reforms of David to the post-exilic restoration under Nehemiah, underscoring divine faithfulness to the Aaronic covenant across centuries and national crises.

The House of Hezir among David’s Twenty-Four Courses

David, guided by the prophetic insight of Samuel and abiding by Mosaic legislation (Numbers 3:5-10), organized the sons of Aaron into twenty-four courses to regulate Temple service (1 Chronicles 24:1-19). The lot for the seventeenth course fell to Hezir:

“the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez” (1 Chronicles 24:15).

Each course served eight days (inclusive of Sabbaths) twice annually and during the three pilgrimage feasts (2 Chronicles 8:12-14), ensuring orderly, uninterrupted worship. Inclusion in this rotation attests that the family of Hezir met genealogical and ritual qualifications and shared equally in sacrificial duties, blessing the nation (Numbers 6:22-27).

A Covenant Signatory in Nehemiah’s Renewal

More than four centuries later, priests of the same house affixed their seals to Nehemiah’s covenant of loyalty to the Law:

“Hezir, Meshezabel” (Nehemiah 10:20).

The appearance of the name at this pivotal moment demonstrates continuity of priestly responsibility following exile. By pledging allegiance to Sabbath sanctity, marital faithfulness, and Temple support (Nehemiah 10:30-39), the sons of Hezir stood in solidarity with reform that preserved distinct covenant identity amid Persian rule.

Archaeological Echoes

A rock-cut monument known as the “Tomb of the Bene Hezir” still overlooks the Kidron Valley. While its inscriptions date to the Hasmonean era, they testify that the house of Hezir retained stature into the Second Temple period. Such evidence corroborates the biblical portrait of a priestly line preserved through successive generations.

Theological and Ministry Significance

• Continuity of Servanthood: From David’s orderly worship to Nehemiah’s covenant renewal, Hezir represents the enduring call to priestly faithfulness despite political upheaval.
• Corporate Responsibility: Both occurrences place Hezir within collective action—course rotations and covenant signatures—reminding believers that ministry is seldom solitary.
• Heritage and Holiness: The name’s preservation highlights God’s commitment to the priestly promise (Exodus 29:9) and encourages present-day servants to steward their spiritual heritage for future generations (2 Timothy 2:2).

Key References

1 Chronicles 24:15; Nehemiah 10:20

Forms and Transliterations
חֵזִֽיר׃ חזיר׃ לְחֵזִיר֙ לחזיר cheZir ḥê·zîr ḥêzîr lə·ḥê·zîr lecheZir ləḥêzîr
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 24:15
HEB: לְחֵזִיר֙ שִׁבְעָ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ר
NAS: the seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth
KJV: The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth
INT: Hezir seven teen

Nehemiah 10:20
HEB: מַגְפִּיעָ֥שׁ מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם חֵזִֽיר׃
NAS: Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
KJV: Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
INT: Magpiash Meshullam Hezir

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2387
2 Occurrences


ḥê·zîr — 1 Occ.
lə·ḥê·zîr — 1 Occ.

2386
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