Jeziah
Jump to: Hitchcock'sSmith'sISBEConcordanceThesaurusHebrewSubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Jeziah is a lesser-known figure mentioned in the genealogical records of the Old Testament. His name appears in the context of the post-exilic community, specifically among those who returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. The name "Jeziah" is believed to mean "Yahweh is my strength" or "Yahweh supports," reflecting the common practice of the Israelites to incorporate the name of God into personal names as a testament to their faith and reliance on the Lord.

Biblical Reference:

Jeziah is mentioned in the book of Ezra, which details the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. In Ezra 10:25, Jeziah is listed among the sons of Parosh who had taken foreign wives, an action that was against the Mosaic Law and had significant religious and social implications for the returning exiles. The verse reads:

"From the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah." (Ezra 10:25)

While Jeziah is not explicitly named in this verse, he is understood to be part of this group through textual analysis and comparison with other translations and manuscripts. The context of this passage is a call to repentance and reform, as the Israelites sought to purify their community and reestablish their covenant relationship with God.

Historical and Theological Context:

The return from exile was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marked by a renewed commitment to the Law of Moses and the reestablishment of religious practices. The issue of intermarriage with foreign women was a significant concern for the leaders of the community, as it was seen as a threat to the purity of the Israelite faith and identity. Ezra, a scribe and priest, led a movement to address this issue, calling for those who had married foreign women to separate from them.

Jeziah's inclusion in this list highlights the challenges faced by the returning exiles in maintaining their distinctiveness as God's chosen people. The call to separate from foreign wives was not merely a social or ethnic issue but was deeply rooted in the theological conviction that Israel was to be a holy nation, set apart for the Lord.

Significance:

The mention of Jeziah, though brief, serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments. It underscores the importance of community purity and the need for repentance and reform in the face of disobedience. The narrative of Jeziah and others in similar situations illustrates the tension between cultural assimilation and religious fidelity, a theme that resonates throughout the history of Israel and continues to be relevant for believers today.

Jeziah's account, while not extensively detailed, contributes to the broader narrative of the post-exilic community's efforts to restore their identity and relationship with God. It serves as a testament to the enduring call for holiness and the transformative power of repentance in the life of God's people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Jeziah

Jeziel, sprinkling of the Lord

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jeziah

(whom Jehovah expiates), a descendant of Parosh, who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:25)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JEZIAH

je-zi'-a.

See IZZIAH.

Strong's Hebrew
3150. Yizziyyah -- "may Yah sprinkle," an Israelite
... NASB Word Usage Izziah (1). Jeziah. From the same as the first part of Yzav'el and
Yahh; sprinkled of Jah; Jizzijah, an Israelite -- Jeziah. see HEBREW Yzav'el. ...
/hebrew/3150.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Jeziah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEZIAH. je-zi'-a. See IZZIAH. Multi-Version
Concordance Jeziah (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:25 Moreover ...
/j/jeziah.htm - 6k

Jeziel (1 Occurrence)

/j/jeziel.htm - 7k

Je'zerites (1 Occurrence)
Je'zerites. Jezerites, Je'zerites. Jeziah . Multi-Version Concordance Je'zerites
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Jezerites, Je'zerites. Jeziah . Reference Bible
/j/je'zerites.htm - 6k

Izziah (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia IZZIAH. iz-i'-a (yizziyah, "Yah unites"; the King James
Version Jeziah): One of the faithful Jews who put away their foreign wives. ...
/i/izziah.htm - 7k

Miamin (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:25 Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah,
and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/m/miamin.htm - 7k

Malchiah (10 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:25 Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah,
and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. (KJV WBS). ...
/m/malchiah.htm - 10k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Jeziah (1 Occurrence)

Ezra 10:25
Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Jeziah

Jeziah: An Israelite Who Married an Idolatrous Wife

Related Terms

Jeziel (1 Occurrence)

Je'zerites (1 Occurrence)

Izziah (1 Occurrence)

Miamin (2 Occurrences)

Malchiah (10 Occurrences)

Je'zerites
Top of Page
Top of Page