5834. Ezrah

Lexical Summary

Ezrah: Ezrah

Original Word: עְזָרה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Ezrah
Pronunciation: ez-raw'
Phonetic Spelling: (ez-raw')
KJV: Ezrah
NASB: Ezrah
Word Origin: [the same as H5833 (עֶזרָה עֶזרָת - help)]

1. Ezrah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ezrah

The same as ezrah; Ezrah, an Israelite -- Ezrah.

see HEBREW ezrah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
fem. of ezer
Definition
"help," a man in Judah
NASB Translation
Ezrah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. עֶזְרָה proper name, masculine Εσρει, Ιεζραα, in Judah 1 Chronicles 4:17.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

Ezrah appears once, in 1 Chronicles 4:17. The Berean Standard Bible records: “The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered’s wife Bithiah, a daughter of Pharaoh, gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.”

Genealogical Setting

Placed within the tribe of Judah, Ezrah stands in the middle generations that link the patriarch Judah to the house of David. His sons—Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon—anchor two distinct branches:
• Through Mered’s Egyptian wife, Bithiah, come Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah.
• Through an unnamed Judahite wife (1 Chronicles 4:18) arise Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel.

This dual lineage highlights both covenant continuity (Judah) and cross-cultural inclusion (Egypt).

Historical and Cultural Background

The Chronicler writes after the exile, urging the returned community to see every name as proof that God preserved Judah. Ezrah’s household illustrates how Israel’s account spread beyond its borders: an Egyptian princess (Bithiah) is woven into Judah’s family tree, testifying that YHWH’s purposes were never limited ethnically (compare Exodus 12:38; Isaiah 19:24-25).

Theological Reflections

1. Covenant Grace: By situating Ezrah in Judah’s line, Scripture underscores God’s unwavering commitment to His promise that “the scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10).
2. Redemption of Outsiders: The inclusion of Bithiah, a daughter of Pharaoh, anticipates the gospel trajectory that “in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near” (Ephesians 2:13).
3. Hidden Faithfulness: Though Ezrah receives only one verse, his descendants populate towns like Eshtemoa, Gedor, Socho, and Zanoah—settlements later fortified by kings of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:5-10). Quiet obedience in one generation bore fruit for many.

Connections in Redemptive History

The Judah-Egypt connection prefigures later salvific moments:
• Joseph’s preservation of Israel from Egyptian famine.
• Moses’ upbringing in Pharaoh’s court through another compassionate daughter.
• Messiah’s infancy flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).

Each scene echoes the pattern visible in Ezrah’s household—God using Egypt to safeguard the seed of promise.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Value the Unknown: Leaders often emerge from obscurity; ministries today should nurture “hidden” members, trusting God to multiply their influence.
• Celebrate Diversity within Orthodoxy: Bithiah’s faith journey invites congregations to welcome believers from non-traditional backgrounds, affirming shared allegiance to the Lord.
• Teach Genealogies Purposefully: Rather than skip “lists of names,” teachers can unveil God’s meticulous providence, reinforcing confidence in Scripture’s reliability.

Summary

Ezrah, though mentioned once, embodies key biblical themes: covenant continuity through Judah, gracious inclusion of Gentiles, and the far-reaching impact of quiet fidelity. His household stands as a witness that no name recorded by the Spirit is insignificant, for every thread—however small—is woven into the tapestry that culminates in Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

עֶזְרָ֔ה עזרה ‘ez·rāh ‘ezrāh ezRah

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 4:17
HEB: וּבֶן־ עֶזְרָ֔ה יֶ֥תֶר וּמֶ֖רֶד
NAS: The sons of Ezrah [were] Jether,
KJV: And the sons of Ezra [were], Jether,
INT: the sons of Ezrah Jether Mered

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5834
1 Occurrence

‘ez·rāh — 1 Occ.