### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼImmêr**, represented by `{{H564}}`, is a proper name meaning **talkative**. It appears **10 times** in **10 unique verses** and is used to identify several individuals and their descendants, most notably the founder of a significant priestly family in Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H564}}` primarily designates the head of a priestly line. Immer is the patriarch of the sixteenth priestly course appointed for temple service [[1 Chronicles 24:14]]. His descendants held prominent roles, such as Pashur the son of Immer, who was a **priest** `{{H3548}}` and "chief governor" in the house of the LORD [[Jeremiah 20:1]]. The family's lineage is listed among those who returned from exile, with "the children of Immer" numbering over a thousand people ([[Ezra 2:37]]; [[Nehemiah 7:40]]). The name also appears in a list of Babylonian locations from which some returning exiles came who were unable to prove their Israelite ancestry ([[Ezra 2:59]]; [[Nehemiah 7:61]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the role and status of Immer's lineage:
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): This word is fundamental to tracing Immer's lineage, as seen in phrases like "the sons of Immer" [[Ezra 10:20]] and "the children of Immer" [[Ezra 2:37]], establishing the family line.
* `{{H3548}}` **kôhên** (priest): This title is directly linked to Immer's descendants, confirming their role in Israel's religious life. Pashur is explicitly called "the son of Immer the **priest**" [[Jeremiah 20:1]].
* `{{H6583}}` **Pashchûwr** (liberation): The name of Immer's prominent son, who served as a high-ranking official in the temple and famously confronted the prophet Jeremiah [[Jeremiah 20:1-2]].
* `{{H5057}}` **nâgîyd** (governor): This term describes the high rank held by Immer's descendant Pashur, who was a "chief **governor**" [[Jeremiah 20:1]], indicating the family's significant authority.
* `{{H6496}}` **pâqîyd** (overseer): Used alongside `{{H5057}}`, this title further defines the administrative authority of Immer's line, as Pashur was the "**chief** governor" in the temple [[Jeremiah 20:1]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H564}}` is tied to the concepts of lineage, service, and authority within the Israelite priesthood.
* **Priestly Heritage:** Immer is the progenitor of the sixteenth priestly course, establishing a formal lineage dedicated to sanctuary service [[1 Chronicles 24:14]]. His name became a marker for a specific priestly family whose descendants are carefully chronicled ([[1 Chronicles 9:12]]; [[Nehemiah 11:13]]).
* **Leadership and Authority:** The descendants of Immer were not merely priests but also held positions of significant administrative power. The example of Pashur, a "chief governor," shows that this family was influential in the temple's operation [[Jeremiah 20:1]].
* **Continuity Through Exile:** The return of over a thousand "children of Immer" from Babylon demonstrates the endurance of this priestly line [[Ezra 2:37]]. Their participation in rebuilding the Jerusalem wall, such as Zadok the son of Immer, highlights their role in the restoration of the nation [[Nehemiah 3:29]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H564}}` is more than a personal name; it is a designation for a key priestly family in Israel's history. From its establishment as a formal priestly course to its members' roles as leaders and governors, the name Immer signifies a lineage deeply woven into the fabric of temple service and the national life of Israel, particularly during the time of the monarchy and the return from exile.
TRV