Etymology and Meaning: The name Zerahiah is of Hebrew origin, meaning "Yahweh has risen" or "Yahweh has shone." This name reflects the theocentric nature of Hebrew naming conventions, emphasizing the relationship between the individual and God.

Biblical References: Zerahiah is mentioned in the genealogical records of the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the priestly lineage. He is noted as an ancestor of Ezra, the scribe and priest who played a significant role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile.

1. 1 Chronicles 6:6-10 : Zerahiah is listed in the genealogical records of the Levites. "Ahitub was the father of Zadok, Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah, Azariah was the father of Johanan, Johanan was the father of Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem), Azariah was the father of Amariah, Amariah was the father of Ahitub, Ahitub was the father of Zadok, Zadok was the father of Shallum, Shallum was the father of Hilkiah, Hilkiah was the father of Azariah, Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak."

2. Ezra 7:1-5 : Zerahiah is mentioned in the genealogy of Ezra, highlighting his priestly heritage. "After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest."

Historical Context: Zerahiah lived during a period when the priestly lineage was of utmost importance to the Israelites. The genealogies served not only as a record of ancestry but also as a validation of one's right to serve in the priestly office. This was particularly significant during the post-exilic period when Ezra sought to reestablish the religious and social order according to the Law of Moses.

Theological Significance: The mention of Zerahiah in the genealogies underscores the continuity of the priestly line from Aaron, the brother of Moses, through whom the Levitical priesthood was established. This continuity is crucial for understanding the legitimacy and authority of the priesthood in Israel's religious life. Zerahiah's inclusion in these records highlights the faithfulness of God in preserving the priestly line, which was essential for the proper worship and spiritual leadership of the nation.

Role in the Restoration: As an ancestor of Ezra, Zerahiah is indirectly associated with the significant reforms and religious revival that took place under Ezra's leadership. Ezra's mission to teach the Law and restore proper worship practices was rooted in his priestly heritage, which traced back through Zerahiah to Aaron. This connection emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pure and unbroken priestly lineage for the spiritual health and guidance of the Israelite community.

Conclusion: While Zerahiah himself is not a prominent figure in biblical narratives, his place in the genealogies of the priestly line highlights the enduring significance of lineage and heritage in the biblical tradition. His mention serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God in preserving His chosen servants for the fulfillment of His divine purposes throughout Israel's history.Zerahiah

the Lord rising; brightness of the Lord

Zerahiah

(Jehovah has risen).

1. A priest, son of Uzzi and ancestor of Ezra the scribe. (1 Chronicles 6:6,51; Ezra 7:4)
2. Father of Elihoenai of the sons of Pahath-moab, whose descendants returned from the captivity with Ezra. (Ezra 8:4)

ZERAHIAH

zer-a-hi'-a (zerachyah, "Yahweh hath risen" or "come forth"; the Septuagint has Zaraia, with variants):

(1) A priest of the line of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:6, 51 Ezra 7:4).

(2) A head of a family, who returned with Ezra from Babylon (Ezra 8:4).

2228. Zerachyah -- "Yah has risen," two Israelites
... "Yah has risen," two Israelites. Transliteration: Zerachyah Phonetic Spelling:
(zer-akh-yaw') Short Definition: Zerahiah. ... NASB Word Usage Zerahiah (5). Zerahiah. ...
/hebrew/2228.htm - 6kZerahiah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZERAHIAH. zer-a-hi'-a (zerachyah ... 8:4).
Multi-Version Concordance Zerahiah (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 6 ...
/z/zerahiah.htm - 7k

Zerahi'ah (4 Occurrences)
Zerahi'ah. Zerahiah, Zerahi'ah. Zerahite . ... Zerahi'ah (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles
6:6 and Uzzi begot Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begot Meraioth; (See RSV). ...
/z/zerahi'ah.htm - 7k

Uzzi (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:6 and Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the
father of Meraioth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/u/uzzi.htm - 12k

Zaraias
... (2) An ancestor of Ezra in 1 Esdras 8:2 (omitted in Codex Vaticanus and Swete) =
"Zerahiah" of Ezra 7:4 and apparently= "Arna" of 2 Esdras 1:2. (3) The father ...
/z/zaraias.htm - 7k

Merai'oth (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Merai'oth (7 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 6:6 and
Uzzi begot Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begot Meraioth; (See RSV). ...
/m/merai'oth.htm - 7k

Meraioth (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:6 and Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the
father of Meraioth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/m/meraioth.htm - 9k

Bukki (4 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 6:51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Ezra 7:4 ...
/b/bukki.htm - 8k

Begot (119 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:5 and Abishua begot Bukki, and Bukki begot Uzzi, (DBY JPS). 1 Chronicles
6:6 and Uzzi begot Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begot Meraioth; (DBY JPS). ...
/b/begot.htm - 30k

Begat (112 Occurrences)
... KJV ASV WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles 6:6 And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah
begat Meraioth, (KJV ASV WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth ...
/b/begat.htm - 31k

Proper (62 Occurrences)
... and by Simonis "populum (ie copiosissimam liberorum turbam) donavit"; Gesenius
translated Gedaliah "quem Jehova educavit vel roboravit," Zerahiah "cui Jehova ...
/p/proper.htm - 57k

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