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בַּרְזִלַּי

𐤁𐤓𐤆𐤋𐤉

Barezilay

H1271 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ברזל iron, metal

Definition

Barzillai: a proper noun designating individuals bearing this name, most notably a Gileadite who assisted David; the name means something like 'my iron' or 'iron-like.' Its usage is restricted to named individuals in the narrative context of the Hebrew Bible.

Semantic Range

name of individuals; Barzillai the Gileadite; men of priestly ancestry; denoting 'one who is iron-like' or 'man of iron'

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root בַּרְזֶל (barzel, 'iron') with a nominal suffix. The exact morphological interpretation is debated, though the traditional view connects it to 'iron-like' or 'man of iron.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Barzillai is a personal name used for several distinct men in the Hebrew Bible, including (1) Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy supporter of David during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 17–19); (2) Barzillai the Meholathite, listed among Davidic officers (2 Samuel 21:8); and (3) an ancestor referenced among the priestly families returning from exile (Ezra 2:61, Nehemiah 7:63). The meaning 'iron-like' likely conveys a connotation of strength or steadfastness, perhaps as a name reflecting desired character traits. In biblical usage, the name is never applied as a title or general descriptor, but always as a proper name. English translations simply transliterate the name (Barzillai). Later tradition sometimes brings in the term 'Jew,' but in context, the bearers of this name are Israelites, and, in Ezra-Nehemiah, members of returning priestly families who were questioned about their lineage. The name is attested only in post-monarchic and monarchic periods, with no evidence it carried religious or ethnic connotations beyond identification of individuals by descent or region. The use of an apparent theophoric suffix ('-ai') is debated; it is not certain that the name is composed in that way.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בַּרְזֶל; iron-hearted; Barzillai, the name of three Israelites; Barzillai.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ברזל (b-r-z-l) — iron, metal

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1270 בַּרְזֶל in iron
H6523 פַּרְזֶל iron

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1271-01 בַּרְזִלָּ֑י barezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like one 5
H1271-04 בַרְזִלַּ֤י varezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like Man 3
H1271-03 וּ/בַרְזִלַּ֥י uvarezilay HC/Np and Barzillai and Iron-like-one 3
H1271-02 לְ/בַרְזִלַּי֙ levarezilay HR/Np Barzillai to Iron-like one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1271-03 2 Samuel 17:27 וּ/בַרְזִלַּ֥י uvarezilay HC/Np and-Barzillai and Iron-like-one
H1271-03 2 Samuel 19:32 וּ/בַרְזִלַּי֙ uvarezilay HC/Np And Barzillai and Iron-like-one
H1271-03 2 Samuel 19:33 וּ/בַרְזִלַּי֙ uvarezilay HC/Np and Barzillai and Iron-like-one
H1271-01 2 Samuel 19:34 בַּרְזִלָּ֑י barezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like one
H1271-01 2 Samuel 19:35 בַּרְזִלַּ֖י barezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like one
H1271-02 2 Samuel 19:40 לְ/בַרְזִלַּי֙ levarezilay HR/Np Barzillai to Iron-like one
H1271-01 2 Samuel 21:8 בַּרְזִלַּ֖י barezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like one
H1271-04 1 Kings 2:7 בַרְזִלַּ֤י varezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like Man
H1271-04 Ezra 2:61 בַרְזִלַּ֗י varezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like Man
H1271-01 Ezra 2:61 בַּרְזִלַּ֤י barezilay HNp Barzillai Iron-like one
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