זְרַחְיָה (ze.rach.yah)
ze.rach.yah
Zerahiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Zerahiah means "Jehovah has risen" or "Jehovah has shined." It appears only twice in the Old Testament, identifying two distinct men who played important roles during Israel’s restoration after exile. In Chronicles, he is a priest and ancestor of Ezra the scribe, while in Ezra, he is the father of Elihoenai, a leader among those who returned from Babylon.
Though brief, these mentions highlight how names carried theological weight. The root zarah ("to shine" or "rise") suggests hope after darkness—a fitting image for a people rebuilding their community and temple. Christians have long seen such names as reminders that God’s presence rises even in times of exile and return.
These two figures, though minor in the biblical record, connect generations of faithful service. Their stories show how ordinary families contributed to God’s larger plan of restoration and worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zerahiah carries a quiet hope, meaning "Jehovah has risen" or "shined." In the Old Testament, this name appears only twice, linking two men who served during Israel’s return from exile. One is listed as an ancestor of Ezra, the scribe who helped restore worship. The other is the father of Eliehoenai, a leader among those rebuilding their community. Though brief, these mentions remind us that God’s light rises even in times of darkness and displacement.
For believers today, this name offers comfort. It suggests that God does not remain distant but actively shines into our circumstances. Whether you feel like a minor figure in a large story or are navigating your own season of rebuilding, Zerahiah points to the faithfulness of God. His people trusted that the Lord would guide their steps, just as He guided theirs.
These names connect generations of faithful service. They show how ordinary families contributed to God’s larger plan. When we read these records, we are invited to see our own lives as part of a continuing story where God’s presence rises to meet us in every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zerahiah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זְרַֽחְיָ֥ה1×
- זְרַֽחְיָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 7:4
the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
This verse establishes Zerahiah as an ancestor of Ezra, linking him to the restoration of biblical teaching and worship after exile.
-
Ezra 8:4
Of the sons of Pahathmoab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah; and with him two hundred males.
Here Zerahiah is identified as the father of Eliehoenai, highlighting his role in the community leadership that returned from Babylon.