בַּרְזִלַּי (bar.zil.lay)
bar.zil.lay
Barzillai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Barzillai, meaning "my iron," appears in five verses across 2 Samuel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. It primarily identifies a loyal Gileadite leader who provided crucial support to King David during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 17:27). His hospitality and resources helped sustain the fleeing king, marking him as a key figure of stability in a time of chaos.
The name also refers to his descendants. One son-in-law is mentioned in Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63 among those who could not prove their priestly lineage. Another connection appears in 2 Samuel 19:38, where Barzillai himself declines David’s offer to live in Jerusalem, choosing instead to remain in his homeland. This distinction separates the generous elder from later family members listed in post-exilic records.
While the name itself suggests strength or durability through its meaning, the biblical narrative focuses on loyalty and legacy. Barzillai the Gileadite is remembered for his faithful aid to David, while his relatives appear in lists of returned exiles. The sources do not elaborate on deeper theological symbolism beyond these historical roles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Barzillai means "my iron," yet the story behind it is not about hardness or strength for its own sake. It is about the quiet, durable loyalty of a man who opened his home to King David when he was fleeing for his life. In a time of chaos and betrayal, Barzillai provided food and shelter without asking for anything in return. His actions show that true faithfulness often looks like practical care rather than grand speeches.
There is also a sobering reminder in the later records of Ezra and Nehemiah. Some descendants of this same name could not prove their priestly lineage because they had married into Barzillai’s family, losing their distinct identity in the process. This contrast invites us to consider what we leave behind for future generations. Do our acts of kindness build a legacy of faith that endures, or do we risk losing our spiritual distinctiveness through compromise? The narrative encourages us to be steadfast in our commitments.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Barzillai6×
- and/ Barzillai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּרְזִלַּ֤י2×
- בַרְזִלַּ֗י2×
- וּ/בַרְזִלַּ֥י1×
- בַּרְזִלַּ֖י1×
- בַרְזִלַּ֤י1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 17:27
When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
This verse introduces Barzillai as a key supporter who provided essential resources to David during his flight from Absalom.
-
I Kings 2:7
But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
David commands Solomon to show kindness to Barzillai's sons, honoring the loyalty shown during the king's time of need.
-
Ezra 2:61
Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
This entry highlights a family member who took a wife from Barzillai’s line and lost his priestly status by taking that name.