The Hebrew name ʻEzrîy, represented by H5836, means helpful. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, where it identifies a specific Israelite involved in royal administration.
The single appearance of Ezri is in a list of King David's overseers. He is named as the individual responsible for the agricultural laborers who performed the work of tilling the ground. The text identifies him as "Ezri the son of Chelub" and places him in charge of those who "did the work of the field for tillage of the ground" 1 Chronicles 27:26.
The context of Ezri's role connects his name to several key Hebrew words related to labor and land:
- H6213 ʻâsâh (to do or make): This primitive root describes the action of the workers Ezri supervised, who did the work of the field 1 Chronicles 27:26.
- H4399 mᵉlâʼkâh (work): This term refers to the employment or work of the field that was under Ezri's oversight 1 Chronicles 27:26.
- H7704 sâdeh (a field): This specifies the location of the labor as the field 1 Chronicles 27:26.
- H5656 ʻăbôdâh (tillage, service, work): This word further defines the nature of the labor as tillage of the ground 1 Chronicles 27:26. It can also mean bondage or service, as seen when the children of Israel sighed by reason of their bondage in Egypt Exodus 2:23.
- H127 ʼădâmâh (ground, land): This refers to the soil or ground being cultivated 1 Chronicles 27:26. It is the same word used to describe the land promised as an inheritance Exodus 20:12 and the earth from which man was formed Genesis 2:7.
- H1121 bên (son): This word establishes Ezri's lineage, identifying him as the son of Chelub 1 Chronicles 27:26.
While Ezri himself is not a major figure, the terms describing his responsibilities carry significant theological weight throughout Scripture.
- Stewardship of the Land: The oversight of the ground H127 and the field H7704 connects to the biblical theme of humanity's role as stewards of the earth. The land is a gift from God, a place of blessing and inheritance (Genesis 28:15, Exodus 20:12).
- Dignity of Labor: The concepts of work H4399, tillage H5656, and doing H6213 are central to the biblical narrative. Work is presented as a primary human activity, an area where diligence is praised Proverbs 22:29 and through which the house of the Lord is served 1 Chronicles 28:20.
- Importance of Lineage: The identification of Ezri as a son H1121 reflects the biblical emphasis on family and generational identity. The term is foundational to understanding covenant relationships, such as God's relationship with the "sons of Jacob" Malachi 3:6.
In summary, H5836 ʻEzrîy is the name of an individual mentioned once in Scripture in a logistical role. However, his brief appearance provides a snapshot of the administration of David's kingdom and connects to the broader biblical themes of labor, stewardship of the land, and the importance of family identity. His context demonstrates how even minor figures are described using terms that carry deep theological resonance.
TRV