Overview:
Jorah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. The name "Jorah" is associated with the post-exilic period, a time when the Jewish people were re-establishing their community and religious practices after the Babylonian captivity.

Biblical References:
Jorah is mentioned in the Book of Ezra, which details the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. The specific reference to Jorah is found in Ezra 2:18, where he is listed among the heads of families who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. The passage reads: "The descendants of Jorah, 112" (Ezra 2:18). This indicates that Jorah was the patriarch of a family or clan that participated in the significant event of returning to the Promised Land.

Historical Context:
The return from Babylonian exile occurred around 538 B.C., following the decree of Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who conquered Babylon. Cyrus allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This period is marked by the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel and Jeshua, who played crucial roles in the restoration efforts.

Significance:
Jorah's mention in the genealogical records of Ezra highlights the importance of family lineage and tribal identity in post-exilic Jewish society. The listing of families and their numbers underscores the continuity of the Jewish people and their commitment to re-establishing their religious and cultural heritage in the land of their ancestors.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple are seen as acts of divine providence and fulfillment of prophetic promises. The inclusion of Jorah and his descendants in the biblical record serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His people and restoring them to their land. It also reflects the communal effort required to rebuild and renew the covenant relationship with God.

Cultural and Religious Impact:
The return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple were pivotal in re-establishing Jewish worship and religious practices. The families, including that of Jorah, played a vital role in this process, contributing to the reconstitution of the Jewish community and its religious life. This period laid the foundation for the Second Temple Judaism, which would shape Jewish identity and practice for centuries to come.

Conclusion:
While Jorah is a relatively minor figure in the biblical narrative, his inclusion in the genealogical records of Ezra signifies the broader collective effort of the Jewish people to restore their nation and faith. His mention serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of those who participated in the return from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple, a central event in the history of Israel.Jorah

Jorai, showing; casting forth; a cauldron

Jorah

(the early rain), the ancestor of a family of 112 who returned from Babylon with Ezra. (Ezra 2:18) In (Nehemiah 7:24) he appears under the name HARIPH, or more correctly the same family are represented as the Bene-Hariph.

JORAH

jo'-ra (yorah meaning uncertain, perhaps "harvest-born"): A family which returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:18) = "Chariph" of Nehemiah 7:24 = "Arsiphurith" (the King James Version "Arzephurith") of 1 Esdras 5:16.

3139. Yorah -- an Israelite family
... Yorah. 3140 . an Israelite family. Transliteration: Yorah Phonetic Spelling:
(yo-raw') Short Definition: Jorah. ... family NASB Word Usage Jorah (1). Jorah. ...
/hebrew/3139.htm - 6kJorah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JORAH. ... Multi-Version Concordance Jorah (1 Occurrence).
Ezra 2:18 The children of Jorah, one hundred twelve. ...
/j/jorah.htm - 7k

Joppa (14 Occurrences)

/j/joppa.htm - 17k

112 (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance 112 (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:18 The children of
Jorah, one hundred twelve. (See NAS NIV). Nehemiah 7:24 The ...
/num/112.htm - 6k

Jorai (1 Occurrence)

/j/jorai.htm - 6k

Arsiphurith
... The name is omitted in Ezra and Nehemiah, but the number corresponds to those
mentioned with Jorah (Ezra 2:18) and Hariph (Nehemiah 7:24). ...
/a/arsiphurith.htm - 6k

Hariph (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 2:18 has "Jorah.". Multi-Version Concordance Hariph (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah
10:19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hariph.htm - 7k

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