Lexical Summary Yeriyyah or Yeriyyahu: Jeriah or Jeriah-hu Original Word: יְרִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jeriah, Jerijah Or Yriyahuw {yer-ee-yaw'-hoo}; from yarah and Yahh; Jah will throw; Jerijah, an Israelite -- Jeriah, Jerijah. see HEBREW yarah see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yarah and Yah Definition "Yah will throw," a Levite NASB Translation Jeriah (2), Jerijah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְרִיָּ֫הוּ 1 Chronicles 23:19; 1 Chronicles 24:23, יְרִיָּה 1 Chronicles 26:31 proper name, masculine (compare יְרִיאֵל) chief of one of the Levitical courses, ᵐ5 Ιδουδ, Ιερια, Ιεδδι, Ιεδειμος, etc. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Jeriah, sometimes rendered Jerijah, carries the idea of “Yahweh teaches” or “Yahweh has shown.” Even the name itself hints at a life designed for instruction and oversight within the covenant community. Scriptural Occurrences 1 Chronicles 23: 19 1 Chronicles 24: 23 1 Chronicles 26: 31 Genealogical Setting Jeriah is the firstborn son of Hebron, who is a grandson of Levi through Kohath (Numbers 3: 19 – 20). As the eldest in his branch, Jeriah becomes the natural head of the Hebronite clans. Firstborn status in Old Testament narrative frequently conveys responsibility as well as privilege (compare Genesis 49: 3 – 4), and Jeriah exemplifies that pattern among the Levites. Levitical Duties under David When King David reorganized the Levites late in his reign to prepare for Solomon’s Temple, Jeriah’s line is listed prominently (1 Chronicles 23: 19; 24: 23). The context of 1 Chronicles 23 outlines three primary spheres of Levitical ministry after the Ark had found a permanent resting place: Although the text does not single out Jeriah for a particular subdivision, his family’s placement among the Hebronites aligns them with gatekeeping and administrative oversight (see 1 Chronicles 26: 30). Chief over the Hebronites The most detailed notice appears in 1 Chronicles 26: 31 – 32: “As for the Hebronites, Jeriah was the chief according to the genealogical records of his fathers. In the fortieth year of David’s reign, a search was made, and excellent men were found among them at Jazer in Gilead. There were twenty-seven hundred relatives of Jeriah, capable men and heads of families. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.” Several themes emerge: 1. Genealogical validation – The chronicler highlights careful record-keeping that confirms Jeriah’s authority. Scripture repeatedly links proper lineage with legitimate ministry. Administrative and Spiritual Significance David entrusts Jeriah’s family with “every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.” The dual wording captures the biblical unity of sacred and civic responsibilities. For conservative readers, this foreshadows the New Testament expectation that church leadership should model integrity both “in the household of God” and “toward outsiders” (compare 1 Timothy 3: 7). Lessons for Ministry Today • Faithful records matter. Genealogies in Chronicles, including Jeriah’s, affirm that God honors historical continuity in His people. Related Topics for Further Study Hebronite Levites; Levitical gatekeepers; Administrative reforms of David; Transjordan tribes and worship; Biblical concept of the firstborn in leadership Forms and Transliterations יְרִיָּ֑הוּ יְרִיָּ֣ה יְרִיָּ֤הוּ יריה יריהו yə·rî·yā·hū yə·rî·yāh yeriYah yərîyāh yeriYahu yərîyāhūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 23:19 HEB: בְּנֵ֖י חֶבְר֑וֹן יְרִיָּ֤הוּ הָרֹאשׁ֙ אֲמַרְיָ֣ה NAS: of Hebron [were] Jeriah the first, KJV: of Hebron; Jeriah the first, INT: the sons of Hebron Jeriah the first Amariah 1 Chronicles 24:23 1 Chronicles 26:31 3 Occurrences |