Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BARZILLAI

(Heb. barzillay)

1. A Gileadite of Rogelim who brought food and supplies to David and his followers at Mahanaim during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam. 17:27-29). David offered Barzillai a permanent residence in Jerusalem as a member of the royal court, but he declined the offer because of his advanced age and asked that his son Chimham go in his place. David blessed Barzillai before proceeding to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 19:31-40), and prior to his death instructed Solomon to favor Barzillai’s sons with a place at the king’s table (1 Kgs. 2:7).

2. A Meholathite whose son Adriel married Saul’s daughter Merab (2 Sam. 21:8).

3. A priest who married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite (likely 1 above). He adopted the name Barzillai as his own (Ezra 2:61 = Neh. 7:63; cf. 1 Esdr. 5:38). His sons were among those excluded from the priesthood as unclean, failing to provide evidence of their priestly genealogy (Ezra 2:59-63 = Neh. 7:61-65). It is suggested that Barzillai jeopardized his priestly status by adopting the name of a nonpriestly family.

Kenneth Atkinson

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BARZILLAI

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)