חֵזִיר (che.zir)
che.zir
Hezir
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Hezir appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, identifying two distinct figures from different eras of Israel’s history. In 1 Chronicles 24:15, it names a priest who led the seventeenth monthly course during King David’s reign, serving in the organized rotation of temple duties.
Centuries later, Nehemiah 10:20 records another Hezir among the leaders who sealed the covenant following the return from exile. Although the name is phonetically identical to the Hebrew word for "swine," these individuals are presented as faithful servants of God. The text offers no commentary on their names, treating them simply as members of the priestly and civic leadership.
Lexical sources note this coincidence with the common noun for swine, yet the biblical narrative itself does not draw a contrast or moral lesson from it. Instead, the word functions strictly as a proper name, marking the continuity of religious service across the monarchy and post-exilic periods.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hezir appears in Scripture as a marker of faithful service across different eras of Israel’s history. In 1 Chronicles 24:15, it identifies a priest who led one of the monthly courses during King David’s reign. This detail highlights how ordinary individuals were integrated into the sacred rhythm of temple worship, contributing to the spiritual life of the community through steady, organized duty.
Centuries later, another Hezir is recorded among those who sealed the covenant after the exile (Nehemiah 10:20). Though the name sounds like the Hebrew word for swine, the biblical text treats these figures simply as loyal servants. Their stories remind us that God uses people from all backgrounds to uphold His purposes, valuing their faithfulness over linguistic coincidences.
For believers today, this word encourages trust in God’s use of everyday roles. Whether serving in worship or civic life, our faithful presence matters to Him. May we find comfort in knowing that God honors those who serve Him with integrity, regardless of their names or circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ Hezir1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/חֵזִיר֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 24:15
the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
This verse identifies Hezir as a priest leading the seventeenth monthly course, showing his specific role in David’s organized temple service.