2228. Zerachyah
Lexical Summary
Zerachyah: Zerachiah

Original Word: זְרַחְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Zrachyah
Pronunciation: zeh-rakh-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (zer-akh-yaw')
KJV: Zerahiah
NASB: Zerahiah
Word Origin: [from H2225 (זֶרַח - rising) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. Jah has risen

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Zerahiah

From zerach and Yahh; Jah has risen: Zerachjah, the name of two Israelites -- Zerahiah.

see HEBREW zerach

see HEBREW Yahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from zarach and Yah
Definition
"Yah has risen," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Zerahiah (5).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
זְרַחְיָה proper name, masculine (׳י hath risen, or shined; Sabean דֿרחאל Hal49) — ᵐ5 Ζαραια: —

1 priest 1 Chronicles 5:32 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 6:36; Ezra 7:4.

2 head of a family of returned exiles Ezra 8:4 (= 1 ?).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Theological Emphasis

The name conveys the idea of Yahweh shining or rising upon His people. The imagery underscores divine initiative, suggesting that every mention of Zerahiah in Scripture carries a reminder that priestly authority and covenant restoration depend on God’s own light breaking forth, not on human merit.

Appearances in Scripture

1 Chronicles 6:6, 6:51
Ezra 7:4
Ezra 8:4

Genealogical and Priestly Significance

In 1 Chronicles the name occurs within two parallel priestly genealogies tracing the high-priestly line from Aaron through Eleazar. Zerahiah is placed between Uzzi and Meraioth, marking a stable link during the unsettled era of the Judges. Although no narrative is attached to him, his inclusion demonstrates uninterrupted succession in the Aaronic line, preserving the legitimacy of Temple worship until the monarchy.

This same line resurfaces in Ezra 7, where the inspired record carefully repeats the chain through Zerahiah to establish Ezra’s credentials:

“son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki” (Ezra 7:4).

By naming Zerahiah, Scripture proves that the scribe who would reform post-exilic Judah stood firmly within the historic priesthood. The covenant fidelity embodied in Zerahiah’s place in the list authenticates Ezra’s authority to teach the Law and oversee spiritual renewal.

Role in the Restoration Era

Ezra 8:4 names Eliehoenai “son of Zerahiah” among the leaders who returned with Ezra: “and with him two hundred men”. Whether this Zerahiah is identical to the priest in Ezra 7 or a later descendant bearing the same name, the connection is telling. A family distinguished by priestly heritage also proves willing to forsake Babylonian stability for the costly journey back to a desolate land so that true worship might flourish again. The faithfulness first preserved genealogically now expresses itself missionally.

Spiritual Lessons

1. Continuity of Covenant Care. The recurrence of the name across centuries signals God’s preservation of a faithful priestly remnant, ensuring that intercession and instruction never cease.
2. Light in Dark Seasons. The meaning of the name aligns with each context: during tribal turbulence (Judges era), monarchic decline, exile, and restoration, Yahweh “arises” to sustain worship.
3. Heritage and Personal Obedience. Descent from a holy line is valuable only when matched by present faith. The descendants of Zerahiah who marched with Ezra illustrate heritage put into action.

Foreshadowing of Christ’s Priesthood

The chronicling of an unbroken priestly line through Zerahiah ultimately directs attention to the perfect High Priest who would arise in the fullness of time. The faithfulness of God in maintaining the line validates the promise that One greater than Aaron would step into the heavenly sanctuary on behalf of His people.

Summary

Zerahiah himself remains a quiet figure, yet every mention of his name testifies to God’s enduring light upon the priesthood, the safeguarding of redemptive history, and the gracious provision of qualified leaders—from the early tribal period to the Restoration and beyond.

Forms and Transliterations
וּֽזְרַֽחְיָ֖ה וזרחיה זְרַֽחְיָ֑ה זְרַֽחְיָ֔ה זְרַֽחְיָ֥ה זרחיה ū·zə·raḥ·yāh uzerachYah ūzəraḥyāh zə·raḥ·yāh zerachYah zəraḥyāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 6:6
HEB: הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ זְרַֽחְיָ֔ה וּֽזְרַֽחְיָ֖ה הוֹלִ֥יד
NAS: the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah
KJV: begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah
INT: and Uzzi became of Zerahiah and Zerahiah the father

1 Chronicles 6:6
HEB: אֶת־ זְרַֽחְיָ֔ה וּֽזְרַֽחְיָ֖ה הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־
NAS: of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the father
KJV: Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat
INT: became of Zerahiah and Zerahiah the father of Meraioth

1 Chronicles 6:51
HEB: עֻזִּ֥י בְנ֖וֹ זְרַֽחְיָ֥ה בְנֽוֹ׃
NAS: Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
KJV: Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
INT: Uzzi his son Zerahiah his son

Ezra 7:4
HEB: בֶּן־ זְרַֽחְיָ֥ה בֶן־ עֻזִּ֖י
NAS: son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi,
KJV: The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi,
INT: son of Zerahiah son of Uzzi

Ezra 8:4
HEB: אֶלְיְהֽוֹעֵינַ֖י בֶּן־ זְרַֽחְיָ֑ה וְעִמּ֖וֹ מָאתַ֥יִם
NAS: the son of Zerahiah and 200
KJV: the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred
INT: Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah with

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2228
5 Occurrences


ū·zə·raḥ·yāh — 1 Occ.
zə·raḥ·yāh — 4 Occ.

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