Ezra 7:5
the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest--
son of Abishua
The name "Abishua" means "father of deliverance" or "my father is rescue" in Hebrew. This name reflects the role of the priesthood in Israel as a source of spiritual guidance and deliverance. Abishua is a lesser-known figure in the Bible, but his inclusion in this genealogy underscores the continuity and faithfulness of the priestly line. It reminds us of the importance of spiritual heritage and the passing down of faith through generations.

son of Phinehas
Phinehas is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for his zealousness for God's holiness. His actions in Numbers 25, where he stopped a plague among the Israelites by taking decisive action against sin, earned him a covenant of peace and a lasting priesthood. The name "Phinehas" means "mouth of brass" or "oracle," indicating strength and communication of God's will. This highlights the role of the priesthood in upholding God's standards and the importance of righteous zeal in leadership.

son of Eleazar
Eleazar, meaning "God has helped," was the third son of Aaron and succeeded his father as high priest. His life and service are a testament to God's faithfulness in providing leadership for His people. Eleazar's role in distributing the land of Canaan (Joshua 14:1) and his involvement in the religious life of Israel emphasize the priestly duty of guiding the people in both spiritual and practical matters. This lineage underscores the divine assistance and guidance available to those who serve God faithfully.

son of Aaron
Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest of Israel, appointed by God to serve as a mediator between God and the people. His name means "mountain of strength" or "exalted," reflecting his elevated position in the spiritual hierarchy of Israel. Aaron's life, with its triumphs and failures, illustrates the grace of God in using imperfect people to fulfill His purposes. The mention of Aaron in this genealogy connects Ezra to the foundational covenant and priestly duties established by God, emphasizing the continuity of divine service.

the chief priest
The title "chief priest" signifies the highest religious authority in Israel, responsible for overseeing the temple worship and maintaining the spiritual integrity of the nation. This role was crucial in leading the people in their relationship with God, offering sacrifices, and teaching the Law. The chief priest served as a mediator, foreshadowing the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice. This title in the genealogy of Ezra highlights the sacred responsibility and honor of serving in God's presence, reminding us of the call to holiness and dedication in our own spiritual walk.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezra
A scribe and priest, Ezra was a key figure in the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in re-establishing the Law of Moses among the people.

2. Abishua
The son of Phinehas and grandson of Eleazar, Abishua was part of the priestly lineage that traced back to Aaron, the first high priest of Israel.

3. Phinehas
Known for his zealousness for God's holiness, Phinehas was the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron. His actions in Numbers 25 were pivotal in stopping a plague among the Israelites.

4. Eleazar
The son of Aaron, Eleazar served as a priest and was involved in significant events during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.

5. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, Aaron was chosen by God to lead the priestly line, which played a crucial role in the spiritual life of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Heritage
Ezra's lineage underscores the significance of a godly heritage and the responsibility to uphold and pass on faith and values to future generations.

Zeal for God's Holiness
Like Phinehas, believers are called to be zealous for God's holiness, standing firm against sin and upholding righteousness in their lives.

Faithfulness Across Generations
The continuity of the priestly line from Aaron to Ezra highlights God's faithfulness and the importance of remaining faithful to His calling across generations.

The Role of Spiritual Leadership
Ezra's role as a priest and scribe emphasizes the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding and teaching God's people according to His Word.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ezra's priestly lineage influence his role and mission in the book of Ezra?

2. In what ways can we be zealous for God's holiness in our daily lives, similar to Phinehas?

3. How can we ensure that we are passing on a godly heritage to the next generation?

4. What lessons can we learn from the faithfulness of the priestly line from Aaron to Ezra?

5. How can we apply the principles of spiritual leadership demonstrated by Ezra in our own communities and families?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 25
Phinehas' zeal for God's holiness is highlighted, showing the importance of maintaining purity and obedience to God's commands.

Exodus 28-29
These chapters describe the consecration of Aaron and his sons, establishing the priestly lineage that Ezra is part of.

1 Chronicles 6
This chapter provides a genealogy of the Levites, including the line of Aaron, which underscores the continuity of the priestly line.
A Mind Saturated with ScriptureEzra 7:1-10
Divine Sequence in ServiceSunday School Teacher.Ezra 7:1-10
Ezra the DistinguishedWilliam Jones.Ezra 7:1-10
Ezra the ScribeJames Menzies.Ezra 7:1-10
Ezra the Type of as Ideal MinisterJ.S. Exell Ezra 7:1-10
Ezra: His Character and WorkW. Clarkson Ezra 7:1-10
Ezra's Exemplary ConductWilliam Jones.Ezra 7:1-10
God's Helping HandJ. M. Sherwood, D. D.Ezra 7:1-10
Man's Duty in Relation to God's Redemptive TruthHomilistEzra 7:1-10
New Year's DayD. Davies.Ezra 7:1-10
New Year's DayJ. Reid Howatt.Ezra 7:1-10
ScribismW. F. Adeney, M. A.Ezra 7:1-10
Study of the ScripturesJ. Bawden Allen.Ezra 7:1-10
Testimonies to the BibleSunday School TimesEzra 7:1-10
The Christian MinistryThe Preacher's Portfolio.Ezra 7:1-10
The Exodus Under EzraJ.A. Macdonald Ezra 7:1-10
The Inestimable Value of the ScripturesEzra 7:1-10
The Scriptures a Safeguard of a NationW. E. Gladstone.Ezra 7:1-10
The Scriptures a Winding SplendourChristian AgeEzra 7:1-10
People
Aaron, Abishua, Ahitub, Amariah, Artaxerxes, Azariah, Bukki, Eleazar, Ezra, Hilkiah, Israelites, Levites, Meraioth, Phinehas, Seraiah, Shallum, Uzzi, Zadok, Zerahiah
Places
Babylonia, Beyond the River, Jerusalem, Persia
Topics
Aaron, Abishua, Abi'shu-a, Chief, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Phinehas, Phin'ehas, Priest
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezra 7:5

     7330   chief priests

Ezra 7:1-5

     1350   covenant, with Israel's priests

Ezra 7:1-21

     7464   teachers of the law

Library
Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
1. The Greek word Apocrypha, hidden, that is, hidden or secret books, was early applied by the fathers of the Christian church to anonymous or spurious books that falsely laid claim to be a part of the inspired word. By some, as Jerome, the term was extended to all the books incorporated by the Alexandrine Jews, in their Greek version, into the proper canon of the Old Testament, a few of which books, though not inspired, are undoubtedly genuine. Another designation of the books in question
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Reading the Law with Tears and Joy
'And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Rome and Ephesus
Corinth as portrayed in the Epistles of Paul gives us our simplest and least contaminated picture of the Hellenic Christianity which regarded itself as the cult of the Lord Jesus, who offered salvation--immortality--to those initiated in his mysteries. It had obvious weaknesses in the eyes of Jewish Christians, even when they were as Hellenised as Paul, since it offered little reason for a higher standard of conduct than heathenism, and its personal eschatology left no real place for the resurrection
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version,
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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