אֶזְבַּי
𐤀𐤆𐤁𐤉
Ezebay
H229 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name; Ezbai, an Israelite individual mentioned as the father of Naarai. The name likely refers to or is associated with hyssop, either in a literal or metaphorical sense (e.g., signifying freshness or cleansing properties, derived from the root's botanical meaning).
Semantic Range
personal name; possibly 'hyssop-like' or 'related to hyssop'; name of an Israelite individual
Root / Etymology
Formed from the root א-ז-ב, potentially linked to the noun אֵזוֹב ('ēzov, hyssop). The ending may be proprietary or an element for personal names rather than a direct derivation from the noun. As a theophoric or descriptive name, it reflects a tradition of botanical or symbolic naming in ancient Israelite culture. The precise formation and particular nuance of meaning in this personal name are uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name Ezbai appears only in 1 Chronicles 11:37 as the father of Naarai, listed among David’s warriors. There is limited context for the individual's identity or the significance of the name apart from this genealogy. The likely botanical root suggests the name may have implied a quality associated with hyssop, a plant often referenced in purification rituals, but this is inferential. The English translation typically renders this as a personal name ('Ezbai') without attempt at botanical meaning; none of the standard translations reflect the possible plant association. This name is an example of a class of biblical personal names referencing plants, animals, or materials, a feature relatively common in biblical-era Israelite naming practices. The term is not to be confused with the word for 'hyssop' itself, nor does it bear the ritual significance directly attached to hyssop in cultic texts. Later Jewish tradition does not ascribe particular significance to Ezbai beyond its listing in Chronicles.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from אֵזוֹב; hyssop-like; Ezbai, an Israelite; Ezbai.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אזב (ʾ-z-b) — to be associated with hyssop, hyssop-like
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H229-01 |
אֶזְבָּֽי | ezebay | HNp |
Ezbai | Hyssop-like one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H229-01 |
1 Chronicles 11:37 | אֶזְבָּֽי | ezebay | HNp |
Ezbai | Hyssop-like one |