Neariah is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogical records of the Old Testament. His name, which means "Servant of Yah" or "Lamp of the Lord," reflects the theocentric nature of Hebrew names, often signifying a relationship with God or a divine attribute.

Genealogical Context

Neariah appears in the genealogies of the tribe of Judah, specifically within the lineage of David. He is noted as a descendant of Shemaiah, who is a descendant of Zerubbabel, a significant post-exilic leader. The genealogical record is found in 1 Chronicles 3:22-23:

"Neariah had three sons: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam." (1 Chronicles 3:23)

This passage situates Neariah within the broader context of the Davidic line, emphasizing the continuity of the royal lineage through the Babylonian exile and into the post-exilic period. The mention of his sons further underscores the importance of family and lineage in maintaining the covenantal promises made to David.

Historical and Theological Significance

The genealogies in which Neariah is mentioned serve several purposes. Historically, they provide a record of the descendants of David, ensuring the preservation of tribal and familial identities through the tumultuous periods of exile and return. Theologically, these genealogies affirm God's faithfulness to His covenant with David, as recorded in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, where God promises to establish David's throne forever.

Neariah's inclusion in the genealogical record highlights the importance of each link in the chain of Davidic descendants. While Neariah himself is not a prominent figure in biblical narratives, his role in the genealogy underscores the collective significance of the Davidic line in the unfolding of redemptive history.

Cultural and Religious Context

In the post-exilic community, genealogies like those in 1 Chronicles served to re-establish a sense of identity and continuity for the Israelites. They were a means of connecting the present community to their ancestral past and to the promises of God. For the returning exiles, these records were vital in reconstituting the community around the temple and the worship of Yahweh.

Neariah's name, meaning "Servant of Yah" or "Lamp of the Lord," may also reflect the religious aspirations of his family. Names were often chosen to express devotion to God or to invoke divine favor, suggesting that Neariah's family maintained a strong sense of religious identity and purpose.

Conclusion

While Neariah is a relatively obscure figure, his presence in the biblical genealogies serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Davidic line and the faithfulness of God to His promises. His mention in the Scriptures, though brief, contributes to the rich tapestry of biblical history and theology, reminding readers of the importance of every individual in God's redemptive plan.Neariah

child of the Lord

Neariah

(servant of Jehovah).

1. One of the six sons of Shemaiah in the line of the royal family of Judah after the captivity. (1 Chronicles 3:22,23) (B.C. about 350.)
2. A son of Ishi, and one of the captains of the 500 Simeonites who in the days of Hezekiah, drove out the Amalekites from Mount Seir. (1 Chronicles 4:42) (B.C. 715.)

NEARIAH

ne-a-ri'-a (ne`aryah):

(1) A descendant of David (1 Chronicles 3:22 f).

(2) A descendant of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:42).

In both instances the Septuagint reads "Noadiah."

5294. Nearyah -- two Israelites
... Nearyah. 5295 . two Israelites. Transliteration: Nearyah Phonetic Spelling:
(neh-ar-yaw') Short Definition: Neariah. ... NASB Word Usage Neariah (3). Neariah. ...
/hebrew/5294.htm - 6kNeariah (3 Occurrences)
...NEARIAH. ne-a-ri'-a (ne`aryah): (1) A descendant of David (1 Chronicles 3:22 f).
(2) A descendant of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:42). ...Neariah (3 Occurrences). ...
/n/neariah.htm - 7k

Neari'ah (2 Occurrences)
Neari'ah. Neariah, Neari'ah. Ne-ari'ah . ... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 3:23 And the
sons of Neariah: Elioenai, and Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three. (See RSV). ...
/n/neari'ah.htm - 6k

Elioenai (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:22, 27). Among these was the eldest son of Neariah, son of Shemaiah,
of the descendants of Zerubbabel. His family are the ...
/e/elioenai.htm - 9k

Hizkiah (2 Occurrences)
... hiz-ki'-a (chizqiyah; Septuagint Ezekia, "strength of Yah"): (1) A son of Neariah,
a descendant of David (1 Chronicles 3:23, the King James Version "Hezekiah ...
/h/hizkiah.htm - 7k

Nearest (22 Occurrences)

/n/nearest.htm - 13k

Ne-ari'ah (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 4:42 Some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went
to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah ...
/n/ne-ari'ah.htm - 6k

Uz'ziel (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 4:42 Some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went
to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah ...
/u/uz'ziel.htm - 10k

Uzziel (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 4:42 Some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went
to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah ...
/u/uzziel.htm - 14k

Jigeal (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 3:22 And the sons of Shechaniah: Shemaiah; and the sons of Shemaiah:
Hattush, and Jigeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six. (DBY). ...
/j/jigeal.htm - 6k

Jishi (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 4:42 And five hundred men of them, of the sons of Simeon, went to mount
Seir, having at their head Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel ...
/j/jishi.htm - 7k

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