Bible Person

Barzillai

Meaning: son of contempt; made of iron · Male · 2 cross references

This Barzillai entry refers to the priestly family that took the name of a Barzillai daughter through marriage, not to Barzillai the Gileadite who helped David. It belongs to the complicated identity questions of the post-exilic priesthood. First appears in Ezra 2:61.1

AI summary: This Barzillai matters because the cross references place the name in a case where priestly descent and public family naming create uncertainty about legitimacy. The entry highlights how seriously restored Judah treated genealogical credibility in matters of sacred office. Taken together, the material presents this Barzillai as a priestly house-name illustrating the importance of verified lineage in post-exilic worship.1

Central Figure

Barzillai

Meaning: son of contempt; made of iron

A priest who married a daughter of the preceding (Ezra 2:61).