the same as פַּרְעֹשׁ; Parosh, the name of our Israelite; Parosh, Pharosh.
Transliteration:Parʻôsh
Pronunciation:par-oshe'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma פַּרְעֹשׁ (Parʻôsh), Strong's H6551, is a proper noun, specifically a masculine personal or family name. Its base definition, "the same as פַּרְעֹשׁ," indicates that its meaning is inherently tied to its identity as a name rather than possessing a descriptive etymological root. As a proper noun, it does not carry a broad semantic range but refers exclusively to the individual or, more prominently in the biblical text, the family line bearing this designation. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, Parosh represents a significant clan within the post-exilic community of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Parosh (פַּרְעֹשׁ, H6551) appears four times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently within the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, highlighting its prominence during the post-exilic period.
1. **[[Ezra 2:3]]**: "The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two." This verse lists the descendants of Parosh as among the first wave of exiles who returned to Judah with Zerubbabel from Babylon. The large number (2,172) indicates that the family of Parosh was a substantial and influential clan, playing a significant role in the initial resettlement and rebuilding efforts.
2. **[[Ezra 8:3]]**: "Of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty." This occurrence details a later group of returnees who came with Ezra. Zechariah, a descendant of Parosh, is specifically named as a leader bringing 150 males. This shows the continued leadership and participation of this family in the second wave of returns, underscoring their commitment to the restoration of the community.
3. **[[Nehemiah 7:8]]**: "The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two." This verse is a parallel record to [[Ezra 2:3]], found within Nehemiah's recounting of the census of those who returned with Zerubbabel. Its repetition confirms the size and importance of the Parosh family in the initial return.
4. **[[Nehemiah 10:14]]**: "The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, Bunni," Here, Parosh is listed among the heads of the people who sealed the solemn covenant to walk in God's law and observe His commandments. This act signifies the family's leadership and commitment to spiritual renewal and adherence to the Torah following the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
Across these contexts, the family of Parosh consistently emerges as a significant and active participant in the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile, contributing both in terms of numbers and leadership.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun, Parosh (H6551) does not have direct synonyms or antonyms in the linguistic sense. However, its significance is deeply interwoven with several key biblical concepts and other proper nouns of the post-exilic period:
* **Genealogy and Family Lines**: The meticulous recording of "the children of Parosh" (e.g., [[Ezra 2:3]]) highlights the importance of lineage and tribal identity in post-exilic Israel. This connects to the broader concept of *mishpachah* (family/clan, `{{H4940}}`), emphasizing the continuity of the covenant people through their ancestral lines.
* **Return from Exile**: The presence of Parosh in lists of returnees (e.g., [[Ezra 2:3]], [[Ezra 8:3]]) is intrinsically linked to the concept of *shuv* (return, `{{H7725}}`), signifying the divine act of restoration and the people's obedient response.
* **Rebuilding and Restoration**: The family's participation in the return directly contributes to the physical and spiritual rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Judean community, a central theme in Ezra-Nehemiah.
* **Covenant Renewal**: Parosh's inclusion among those who sealed the covenant in [[Nehemiah 10:14]] connects them to the broader theme of covenant faithfulness and the re-establishment of God's law as central to the life of the community.
* **Leadership**: The mention of Zechariah of the sons of Parosh leading a group of returnees ([[Ezra 8:3]]) and Parosh being listed among the "chief of the people" ([[Nehemiah 10:14]]) indicates their role in the leadership and governance of the nascent community.
* **Other Returning Families**: Parosh is often listed alongside other prominent families of returnees, such as Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, and Bani (e.g., [[Nehemiah 10:14]]), underscoring their collective role in the national restoration.
### Theological Significance
The family of Parosh, though a specific proper noun, carries significant theological weight within the narrative of post-exilic Israel. Their consistent presence in the records of returnees and covenant-signers underscores several profound theological truths:
1. **God's Faithfulness in Restoration**: The return of a large number of the descendants of Parosh, alongside other families, is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even after judgment and exile. He orchestrates the return of His people to their land, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating His commitment to their restoration.
2. **Human Obedience and Participation**: The willingness of the Parosh family to return from Babylon, despite the hardships and challenges, exemplifies human obedience and active participation in God's redemptive plan. Their journey back to Judah was not merely a demographic shift but a spiritual pilgrimage of faith.
3. **The Importance of Community and Continuity**: The detailed genealogical records, including the numbers associated with the Parosh family, emphasize the importance of the continuity of the covenant community. Each family and individual contributed to the re-establishment of the nation, highlighting God's work through collective human endeavor.
4. **Commitment to the Law and Covenant**: The act of sealing the covenant by the leaders, including Parosh, signifies a renewed commitment to God's Torah as the foundation of their national and spiritual life. This embodies the theological principle that true restoration involves not only physical return but also spiritual repentance and obedience to divine commands.
5. **Divine Providence in Leadership**: The prominence of the Parosh family in both leading returnees and sealing the covenant suggests God's providential raising up of leaders and influential families to guide His people in times of rebuilding and renewal.
### Summary
Parosh (פַּרְעֹשׁ, H6551) is a significant proper noun in the Hebrew Bible, denoting a prominent family or clan within post-exilic Israel. Appearing exclusively in Ezra and Nehemiah, the family of Parosh is consistently identified as a numerous and influential group among the returnees from Babylonian exile. Their involvement spans the initial return with Zerubbabel, the later return with Ezra, and their leadership role in sealing the covenant of obedience to God's law. Theologically, the presence and actions of the Parosh family underscore God's faithfulness in restoring His people, the vital role of human obedience and communal participation in His redemptive plan, and the renewed commitment to the divine covenant as the foundation for Israel's future. The meticulous recording of their name and numbers serves as a testament to the specific individuals and families through whom God worked to rebuild His nation.
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