from זֶרַח and יָהּ; Jah has risen; Zerachjah, the name of two Israelites; Zerahiah.
Transliteration:Zᵉrachyâh
Pronunciation:zer-akh-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper name Zerahiah (זְרַחְיָה, `{{H2228}}`) is a compound theophoric name, rich in theological meaning. It is derived from two primary elements: זֶרַח (*zerach*, `{{H2224}}`), meaning "a rising," "dawning," or "shining forth," and יָהּ (*Yah*, `{{H3050}}`), a shortened form of the divine name YHWH. Thus, the name's core meaning is "Jah has risen" or "Yahweh has shone forth." This conveys the active manifestation of God's presence, power, or favor, akin to the rising of the sun bringing light and new day. The semantic range points towards divine revelation, illumination, and the active intervention of God in the affairs of humanity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Zerahiah appears in the Old Testament in reference to two distinct individuals:
1. **Zerahiah the Levite/Priest:** This is the more prominent figure, appearing in genealogical lists tracing the priestly lineage.
* He is identified as the son of Uzzi and the father of Meraioth in the priestly genealogy of Aaron through Eleazar ([[1 Chronicles 6:6]], [[1 Chronicles 6:51]]).
* Crucially, Zerahiah is listed as an ancestor of Ezra the scribe, highlighting his position within the esteemed priestly line that served in the temple ([[Ezra 7:4]]). His inclusion in these genealogies underscores the importance of his lineage to the continuity of the priesthood and the transmission of the Law. The meaning "Yahweh has risen" for an ancestor of Ezra could subtly speak to the divine illumination and guidance provided to the priestly class, responsible for teaching God's law.
2. **Zerahiah, Father of Eliehoenai:** This Zerahiah is mentioned once in the book of Ezra as the father of Eliehoenai, one of the heads of families who returned with Ezra from Babylon during the post-exilic period ([[Ezra 8:4]]). Eliehoenai belonged to the "sons of Pahath-Moab," a prominent family among the returnees. While less is known about this Zerahiah, the name's meaning could signify the hope and divine favor experienced by those returning to rebuild Jerusalem, suggesting that God had "shined forth" upon their difficult journey of restoration.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Zerahiah is intimately connected to several key biblical concepts and lexical items:
* **זרח (*zarach*, `{{H2225}}`):** The verbal root from which `{{H2224}}` (the noun form in Zerahiah) is derived, meaning "to rise," "to shine forth," or "to dawn." This verb is frequently used to describe the rising of the sun ([[Genesis 32:31]], [[Judges 9:33]]), symbolizing new beginnings, revelation, and the dispelling of darkness.
* **אור (*or*, `{{H216}}`):** The general Hebrew term for "light." Zerahiah's meaning aligns with the broader biblical theme of God as the source of all light, truth, and understanding ([[Psalm 27:1]], [[Isaiah 60:19]]).
* **שמש (*shemesh*, `{{H8121}}`):** "Sun." The imagery of the rising sun is central to the name, evoking God's consistent and powerful manifestation.
* **Theophoric Names:** Zerahiah belongs to a large category of Hebrew names that incorporate a divine element (like *Yah* or *El*). Such names often serve as declarations of faith, prayers, or affirmations of God's character and activity, reflecting the parents' theological understanding and hopes for their child. Other examples include Uriah ("YHWH is my light") or Hezekiah ("YHWH strengthens").
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Zerahiah (`{{H2228}}`) lies in its powerful affirmation of God's active and illuminating presence. "Jah has risen" speaks to:
* **Divine Revelation:** God is not static but actively reveals Himself, His will, and His truth to humanity. This "rising" can be understood as the dawning of divine understanding or the manifestation of God's glory.
* **Divine Intervention and Deliverance:** Just as the sun rises to dispel darkness, the name suggests God's power to intervene in human affairs, bringing light into situations of despair, oppression, or ignorance. It implies a moment of divine breakthrough or salvation.
* **Hope and Renewal:** The imagery of dawn consistently evokes hope, new beginnings, and renewal. For the priestly line, the name could signify God's enduring covenant and the continuous illumination of His law through the priests. For the returning exiles, it could represent God's faithfulness in restoring His people and shining His favor upon them after a period of darkness.
* **God as Source of Light and Life:** The name reinforces the biblical truth that God is the ultimate source of all light, life, and righteousness, a theme profoundly echoed in prophetic literature (e.g., the "Sun of Righteousness" in [[Malachi 4:2]]).
### Summary
Zerahiah (זְרַחְיָה, `{{H2228}}`) is a theophoric Hebrew name meaning "Jah has risen" or "Yahweh has shone forth." Derived from *zerach* (`{{H2224}}`) and *Yah* (`{{H3050}}`), it powerfully conveys the active, illuminating, and revealing presence of God. The name is borne by a significant ancestor in the priestly lineage of Ezra ([[1 Chronicles 6:6]], [[Ezra 7:4]]) and by the father of a family head returning from Babylonian exile ([[Ezra 8:4]]). Its theological weight emphasizes divine revelation, intervention, and the enduring hope that God, like the rising sun, brings light, renewal, and salvation into the lives of His people.
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