Lexical Summary Uthay: Uthai Original Word: עוּתַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Uthai From uwth; succoring; Uthai, the name of two Israelites -- Uthai. see HEBREW uwth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom 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: 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). Ministry Lessons • Faithfulness in Obscurity. Neither Uthai performs a recorded miracle nor delivers prophetic oracles, yet Scripture memorializes them. God values steadfast, ordinary obedience. 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 uTaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 2 Occurrences |
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