Lexical Summary Ezer: Ezer Original Word: עֶזֶר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ezer From azar; help; Ezer, the name of two Israelites -- Ezer. Compare Ezer. see HEBREW azar see HEBREW Ezer NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom azar Definition "help," two Isr. NASB Translation Ezer (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֶ֫זֶר proper name, masculine 1. Ephraimite 1 Chronicles 7:21, Εζερ. 2 עָ֑זֶר, a priest, Nehemiah 12:42, Ιεζουρ. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Thematic EssenceThe personal name “Ezer” carries the idea of “help” or “aid.” In Scripture this concept of help is never merely human; it is ultimately rooted in the Lord, who repeatedly reveals Himself as the true “Helper” of His people (Psalm 33:20; Psalm 70:5). Scriptural Occurrence 1 Chronicles 7:21 records the only appearance of this particular proper name: “Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in the land killed them because they came down to raid their cattle.” Historical Setting The verse sits within the tribal genealogies of Ephraim. Before the period of the Judges, Israelite settlement in the hill country frequently clashed with Philistine expansion along the coastal plain. The incident in which men of Gath kill Ezer and Elead over livestock reflects that unsettled frontier and foreshadows the later, more organized Philistine oppression confronted by Samson, Samuel, and David. Ephraim’s grief finds expression in the naming of a subsequent son, Beriah (“misfortune”), indicating how families memorialized both tragedy and faith through names. Theological Significance 1. Irony of the Name Ezer (“Help”) falls victim to violence, yet the broader narrative testifies that true help comes not from human strength but from the Lord. The same chapter later affirms continued fruitfulness in Ephraim’s line, underscoring God’s sustaining grace despite loss. 2. Anticipation of Divine Help The Ephraimite genealogy eventually points toward Joshua (1 Chronicles 7:27), whose leadership embodies divine deliverance. The death of Ezer thus lies on a narrative arc that moves from human need to God-provided salvation. 3. Corporate Identity Within Israel, tribal memories of suffering and deliverance shaped collective reliance on God. The event at Gath would have reminded subsequent generations that their inheritance was secured not by arms or livestock but by the covenant faithfulness of the Lord. Genealogical Importance Ezer’s brief mention secures his place in the ancestral record, validating land claims and clan identity for later Ephraimites. The Chronicler’s meticulous inclusion demonstrates Scripture’s concern for every member of God’s people, even those whose lives end abruptly. Ministry Applications • Grief and Faith: Ephraim mourned deeply, yet Scripture records his continued fruitfulness (1 Chronicles 7:23). Believers today are encouraged to lament while holding fast to God’s purposes. Related Biblical Motifs • Helper as a Divine Title – “The God of my father was my help” (Exodus 18:4). Concluding Insight Though Ezer’s life is narrated in a single line, his name anchors a rich biblical theme: in the face of human frailty and hostility, God remains the unfailing Helper who weaves individual accounts into His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations וְעֵ֣זֶר ועזר veEzer wə‘êzer wə·‘ê·zerLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 7:21 HEB: וְשׁוּתֶ֥לַח בְּנ֖וֹ וְעֵ֣זֶר וְאֶלְעָ֑ד וַהֲרָג֗וּם NAS: his son, and Ezer and Elead KJV: his son, and Ezer, and Elead, INT: Shuthelah his son and Ezer and Elead killed 1 Occurrence |
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