Ezer: A Priest
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Ezer is a lesser-known figure in the Old Testament, recognized for his role as a priest during the time of Nehemiah. His mention is brief but significant, highlighting the restoration and reformation efforts in post-exilic Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

Ezer is mentioned in the book of Nehemiah, specifically in Nehemiah 12:42. This chapter lists the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and later those who served during the time of Nehemiah. The passage reads: "and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as the leader." (Nehemiah 12:42). This verse places Ezer among the priests who participated in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, a significant event marking the physical and spiritual renewal of the city.

Historical and Religious Context:

The period of Nehemiah was a time of rebuilding and reform for the Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian exile. Nehemiah, serving as governor, was instrumental in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls, which had been in ruins. The dedication of the wall was not merely a civic event but a deeply religious one, symbolizing the restoration of God's covenant with His people.

Priests like Ezer played a crucial role in this spiritual renewal. They were responsible for leading the people in worship, teaching the Law, and ensuring that the religious practices were in accordance with the Torah. The presence of priests at the dedication ceremony underscored the importance of aligning the community's physical restoration with spiritual obedience and worship.

Role and Significance:

Ezer's inclusion in the list of priests signifies his active participation in the religious life of the community. Although the Bible does not provide extensive details about his personal life or specific duties, his role as a priest would have involved offering sacrifices, leading prayers, and possibly assisting in the teaching of the Law.

The mention of Ezer alongside other priests and Levites highlights the collective effort required to restore and maintain the spiritual integrity of the Jewish community. It reflects the broader theme of cooperation and unity among the leaders and the people in re-establishing their identity and faith after the exile.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, Ezer's role as a priest during Nehemiah's time illustrates the continuity of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. Despite the challenges of exile and the daunting task of rebuilding, God provided leaders and servants like Ezer to guide and support His people. This underscores the importance of faithful service and dedication to God's work, regardless of one's prominence or recognition in the biblical narrative.

Ezer's participation in the dedication of the wall serves as a reminder of the integral role of worship and obedience in the life of God's people. It highlights the necessity of aligning physical restoration with spiritual renewal, ensuring that the community remains rooted in the covenant relationship with God.
Nave's Topical Index
Nehemiah 12:42
And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Repentance and victory
... At the time of the first fight at Eben-ezer, Israel was full of ... Samuel acts as priest
and intercessor, offering a burnt-offering, which, like the pouring out ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

Faithlessness and Defeat
... went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the ...
and not without blood sprinkled on its cover, the high priest might look on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/faithlessness and defeat.htm

David's Dying Song
... son, and Tahath his son, and Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and
Elead ... Think of Eli, a man who served God as a high priest, and though he could ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/davids dying song.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... the king's wrath which had been excited against the Jewish high priest and people ...
appears that the eldest son of Nabonnedus was called Bel-shar-ezer=Belshazzar ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... He was a priest of Bamah, Samuel, the son of Elkanah, who had acquired the ... and set
it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer (the Stone ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Resources
Who was Heman the Ezrahite in the Psalms? | GotQuestions.org

How was the woman a helper suitable for the man (Genesis 2:18)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Ezer

Ezer: A Gadite Warrior

Ezer: A Levite

Ezer: A Man of Judah

Ezer: A Man of Judah: Perhaps Identical With the Ezra of

Ezer: A Priest

Ezer: A Son of Ephraim

Ezer: Also Called Ezar, a Horite Duke

Related Terms

Eben-ezer (3 Occurrences)

Romamti-ezer (2 Occurrences)

Abi-ezer (3 Occurrences)

Nergal-shar-ezer (2 Occurrences)

Nergal-sar-ezer (2 Occurrences)

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)

Ebene'zer (3 Occurrences)

Dishan (5 Occurrences)

Romamtiezer (2 Occurrences)

Romam'ti-e'zer (2 Occurrences)

Dishon (7 Occurrences)

Bilhan (3 Occurrences)

Akan (2 Occurrences)

Se'ir (36 Occurrences)

Abiezer (7 Occurrences)

Seir (38 Occurrences)

Za'avan (2 Occurrences)

Zaavan (2 Occurrences)

Jaakan (4 Occurrences)

Jeezer (1 Occurrence)

Dukes (14 Occurrences)

Chalkstone

Chiefs (227 Occurrences)

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)

Horites (6 Occurrences)

Horite (4 Occurrences)

Descended (64 Occurrences)

Jeshua (30 Occurrences)

Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)

12 (22 Occurrences)

Zibeon (7 Occurrences)

Zib'eon (7 Occurrences)

Zabad (8 Occurrences)

Zavan (1 Occurrence)

Neri (2 Occurrences)

Native-born (16 Occurrences)

Naming (21 Occurrences)

Nergal-sarezer (2 Occurrences)

Ner'gal-share'zer (2 Occurrences)

Nebushazban (2 Occurrences)

Uz'ziel (16 Occurrences)

Uzzi (11 Occurrences)

Obadi'ah (16 Occurrences)

Jakan (2 Occurrences)

Jezrahiah (1 Occurrence)

Jehohanan (9 Occurrences)

Jezrahi'ah (1 Occurrence)

Ja'akan (1 Occurrence)

Joezer (1 Occurrence)

Jerimoth (10 Occurrences)

Jeshuah (1 Occurrence)

Jizrahiah (2 Occurrences)

Joshbekashah (2 Occurrences)

Jer'imoth (6 Occurrences)

Jehoha'nan (8 Occurrences)

Joshbekash'ah (2 Occurrences)

Jeshanah (3 Occurrences)

Lotan (5 Occurrences)

Gedor (7 Occurrences)

Gleanings (8 Occurrences)

Giddal'ti (2 Occurrences)

Giddalti (2 Occurrences)

Iezer (1 Occurrence)

Inspector (4 Occurrences)

Iezerites (1 Occurrence)

Twentieth (34 Occurrences)

Twenty-fourth (9 Occurrences)

Raid (15 Occurrences)

Reference (23 Occurrences)

E'le-ad (1 Occurrence)

Eliathah (2 Occurrences)

Ephrath (9 Occurrences)

Ephrathah (6 Occurrences)

Ephratah (5 Occurrences)

Eph'rathah (6 Occurrences)

Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)

Ezerias

Eli'athah (2 Occurrences)

Ezer: A Man of Judah: Perhaps Identical With the Ezra of
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