עֶזְרָה (ez.rah)
ez.rah
Ezrah
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 Ezrah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:17 as a member of the tribe of Judah during the period of the divided monarchy. He is identified specifically as the father of four sons: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. This single mention places him within the genealogical records that trace the lineage of Judah, though no further narrative details about his life or actions are provided in Scripture.
Linguistically, Ezrah derives from the Hebrew root meaning "help" or "aid," a concept deeply embedded in biblical theology through words like ezer. While this etymology connects him to themes of support and assistance common in Israelite naming practices, the text itself does not elaborate on how his name might reflect his character or role. The brevity of the entry highlights the value placed on preserving ancestral lines within the tribal structure of ancient Israel.
As a proper noun, Ezrah serves as a link in the chain of Judah’s descendants rather than a focal point for theological teaching. Its scarcity in the canon means that understanding it relies entirely on its contextual placement within 1 Chronicles. The name stands as a quiet testament to the ordinary individuals whose lives contributed to the broader history of God’s people, remembered primarily through their familial connections.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ezrah appears only once in Scripture, nestled within the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:17. It is not a word describing an action or a divine attribute, but a proper noun identifying a man named Ezrah, a member of the tribe of Judah and father to several sons. While the text offers no narrative about his daily life or character, its inclusion reminds us that God’s historical record values every name.
Linguistically, the name derives from a root meaning 'help' or 'aid.' This connection invites reflection on how ordinary individuals contribute to the broader story of faith. Though we know little of Ezrah personally, his lineage is preserved, showing that even quiet lives matter in God’s economy. His story encourages us to trust that our own contributions, however small they may seem, are part of a larger divine narrative.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ezrah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֶזְרָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 4:17
The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon; and Mered’s wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
This verse lists Ezrah as the father of Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon, anchoring his identity within the tribal lineage of Judah.