5793. Uthay
Lexical Summary
Uthay: Uthai

Original Word: עוּתַי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Uwthay
Pronunciation: oo-thah'-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (oo-thah'-ee)
KJV: Uthai
NASB: Uthai
Word Origin: [from H5790 (עוּת - sustain)]

1. succoring
2. Uthai, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Uthai

From uwth; succoring; Uthai, the name of two Israelites -- Uthai.

see HEBREW uwth

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from uth
Definition
two Isr.
NASB Translation
Uthai (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עוּתַי proper name, masculine 1. name in Judah 1 Chronicles 9:4, Γωθει (= עֲתָיָה Nehemiah 11:4).

2 Ezra 8:14, Ουθι.

עַז, עֹז, עֻזָּא see עזז. עֵז see ענז. p. 738-39, 777

Topical Lexicon
Occurrences in Scripture

Uthai appears twice in the Old Testament: first in the list of early post-exilic settlers in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:4) and again among those who accompanied Ezra on the later return from Babylon (Ezra 8:14).

Uthai of Judah (1 Chronicles 9:4)

Chronicles records Uthai as “son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah” (1 Chronicles 9:4). His inclusion at the head of the list of Judean laymen who occupied Jerusalem after the exile underscores God’s preservation of the tribe of Judah and, by extension, the messianic line. The Chronicler’s purpose is pastoral as well as historical: by tracing Uthai back to Perez, he reminds the returned community that the covenant promises to Judah remain intact even after judgment and dispersion. Uthai thus stands as a visible token of continuity between pre-exilic Israel and the restored community.

Uthai of the Sons of Bigvai (Ezra 8:14)

Several decades later, Ezra assembled a second wave of returnees. “Of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur; and with them seventy men” (Ezra 8:14). This Uthai belongs to a different clan—one associated with Bigvai, a prominent family of the exile (compare Ezra 2:14; Nehemiah 7:19). By volunteering for the arduous journey and bringing seventy others, he exemplifies spiritual initiative, courage, and a willingness to sacrifice comfort for the restoration of worship in Jerusalem.

Historical Setting

Both references arise in the post-exilic period, yet they mark two distinct phases:
• The first wave (ca. 538 BC) resettled Judah under Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel; it is reflected in 1 Chronicles 9.
• The second wave (458 BC) accompanied Ezra and focused on Torah reform and temple service (Ezra 7–10).

Uthai therefore represents two generations of faithfulness: the first securing a foothold in the land, the second deepening covenant obedience.

Genealogical and Theological Importance

1. Preservation of Judah’s Line. The Chronicler’s Uthai secures a documented line from Perez, testifying to God’s fidelity to the promise that “the scepter will not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10).
2. Corporate Solidarity. Ezra’s Uthai brings an exact company of seventy, echoing symbolic completeness (compare Numbers 11:16; Luke 10:1) and reinforcing the corporate nature of covenant renewal.
3. The Remnant Motif. Both men embody the prophetic theme of a faithful remnant through whom God advances His redemptive plan (Isaiah 10:20–22; Haggai 2:23).

Ministry Lessons

• Faithfulness in Obscurity. Neither Uthai performs a recorded miracle nor delivers prophetic oracles, yet Scripture memorializes them. God values steadfast, ordinary obedience.
• Leadership by Example. Both men are presented as heads who inspire others—whether anchoring a family in Jerusalem or recruiting seventy fellow travelers. Biblical leadership is relational and sacrificial.
• Continuity of Worship. Their lives bridge exile and restoration, reminding modern readers that true worship persists through upheaval when believers cling to covenant promises and place themselves at God’s disposal.

Contemporary Application

Believers today often labor in unnoticed roles, yet God weaves such service into His unfolding account just as He did with Uthai. In local churches, mission teams, and family discipleship, the call remains the same: embrace one’s place, however small, in the broader redemptive community (1 Corinthians 12:18–26; Hebrews 6:10).

Related Entries

Perez • Bigvai • Remnant • Post-Exilic Community

Forms and Transliterations
עוּתַ֣י עוּתַ֨י עותי ‘ū·ṯay ‘ūṯay uTai
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 9:4
HEB: עוּתַ֨י בֶּן־ עַמִּיה֤וּד
NAS: Uthai the son of Ammihud,
KJV: Uthai the son of Ammihud,
INT: Uthai the son of Ammihud

Ezra 8:14
HEB: וּמִבְּנֵ֥י בִגְוַ֖י עוּתַ֣י [וְזָבוּד כ]
NAS: of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud,
KJV: also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud,
INT: of the sons of Bigvai Uthai Zabbud with

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5793
2 Occurrences


‘ū·ṯay — 2 Occ.

5792
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