Ezra 7 5

Ezra 7:5 kjv

The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:

Ezra 7:5 nkjv

the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest?

Ezra 7:5 niv

the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest?

Ezra 7:5 esv

son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest ?

Ezra 7:5 nlt

son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the high priest.

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 7 5 Meaning

Ezra 7:5 details a critical part of Ezra's ancestral line, affirming his direct descent through Abishua, Phinehas, and Eleazar, all the way back to Aaron, the very first chief priest of Israel. This establishes Ezra's profound priestly legitimacy and authority, which was essential for his divinely appointed mission to bring the Law of God back to the returned exiles in Jerusalem.

Ezra 7 5 Context

Ezra chapter 7 begins a new phase in the post-exilic history of Judah, focusing on Ezra's significant return from Babylon to Jerusalem during the reign of King Artaxerxes. This verse is part of a detailed genealogy of Ezra, meticulously tracing his lineage back through illustrious priestly figures directly to Aaron. In the immediate chapter, this genealogy serves to unequivocally establish Ezra's inherent authority and divinely sanctioned right to act as a leader and a spiritual reformer in Judah.

Historically, this period (mid-5th century BC) saw the Jewish community in Jerusalem still struggling to re-establish its identity, religious practices, and civic structure after decades of exile. The Temple had been rebuilt under Zerubbabel, but spiritual and moral discipline remained weak. Accurate genealogies, especially for priests, were paramount in ancient Jewish society, serving as legal documents that validated claims to land, tribal identity, and, crucially, priestly office. Without a clear, unblemished line back to Aaron, one could not legitimately perform the sacred duties required by the Mosaic Law. Ezra's meticulously presented lineage provides undeniable evidence of his qualification, reinforcing the divine order for their worship and social structure. It also subtly stands as a polemic against any who might have attempted to usurp priestly functions without legitimate descent or challenged the authentic lineage required by God's covenant.

Ezra 7 5 Word analysis

• the son of (בֶּן - ben): This Hebrew term denotes direct lineal descent. Its repeated use here emphasizes the unbroken and precise familial connection, crucial for validating priestly authority in ancient Israel. In a context where lineage determined eligibility for sacred service, this term signifies absolute and undisputed belonging to the sacerdotal family.
• Abishua (אֲבִישׁוּעַ - ’Ăvîšûa‘): This name means "my father is salvation" or "father of welfare." While not as prominently featured in scripture as his forebears, Abishua's inclusion ensures the continuous thread of the priestly line. His presence reinforces that every link in the chain was carefully recorded and valued.
• Phinehas (פִּינְחָס - Pînᵉḥās): His name, likely of Egyptian origin, means "the Nubian." Phinehas is a highly significant figure known for his zeal for God (Num 25:6-13). His decisive action in dealing with an Israelite's immorality resulted in a "covenant of a lasting priesthood" granted to his descendants by God, explicitly validating his lineage's eternal right to priestly office.
• Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר - ’El‘āzār): Meaning "God has helped," Eleazar was Aaron's third son and his direct successor as High Priest (Num 20:25-28). He played a key role during the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, and the land's distribution, underscoring the vital administrative and spiritual authority his descendants inherited. Ezra's connection to Eleazar links him directly to the continuity of the High Priesthood itself.
• Aaron (אַהֲרֹן - ’Ahăron): Traditionally interpreted as "mount of strength" or "enlightened one," Aaron was Moses' elder brother and divinely chosen as Israel's first High Priest (Ex 28:1). He inaugurated the Levitical priesthood. Tracing the line back to Aaron establishes Ezra's foundational legitimacy and ensures adherence to the sacred ritual and moral laws laid out through Moses, mediated by the Aaronic priesthood.
• the chief priest (הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל - hakkōhēn hagādōl): This specific Hebrew designation literally translates to "the great priest," denoting the High Priest. Attaching this title to Aaron further highlights his singular, foundational role. For Ezra's lineage to lead directly to this "great priest" underscores his family's indisputable claim to the pinnacle of priestly authority and privilege within Israel's spiritual structure.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest": This repeated genealogical formula with the "son of" (ben) highlights a deliberate and precise recording of a critical lineage. This unbroken chain back to Aaron demonstrates Ezra's family's untainted heritage in the priesthood. The repetition serves to underscore the accuracy and reliability of this descent. It was not merely about tracing ancestors, but affirming the sanctity and legitimacy of a specific divine appointment for sacred service. For a community rebuilding its identity after exile, such a clear and well-documented connection to the foundational figures of Israel's spiritual history provided profound reassurance and a basis for divine authority in all matters of worship and law.

Ezra 7 5 Bonus section

• Priesthood Integrity Post-Exile: Following the Babylonian exile, a stringent emphasis was placed on the integrity of priestly genealogies. Chapters like Nehemiah 7 also show cases where individuals could not prove their lineage and were thus excluded from the priesthood. Ezra 7:5 demonstrates Ezra's complete fulfillment of these strict requirements, providing a critical legal and spiritual foundation for his leadership.
• Theocratic Significance: The meticulous listing of priestly succession underscores the theocratic nature of ancient Israel. Authority stemmed from God’s original appointment (of Aaron) and was maintained through an unbroken, divinely sanctioned lineage. This validated the purity of worship and the administration of divine law.
• Prophetic Parallel: The divine preservation of the Aaronic line through centuries of tumultuous history, culminating in leaders like Ezra, foreshadows God's faithfulness in bringing forth the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, from the tribe of Judah. While Jesus' priesthood is "after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 7), rather than Aaronic, the Old Testament priestly system and its divinely appointed succession illustrate God's consistent plan for mediating between Himself and humanity.

Ezra 7 5 Commentary

Ezra 7:5 acts as a pivotal genealogical anchor, powerfully confirming Ezra’s direct descent from Aaron, the original High Priest. In a post-exilic Jewish community grappling with re-establishing identity and faithful worship, Ezra’s unquestionable priestly lineage was foundational. This specific ancestral chain—through the zealous Phinehas and the succeeding high priest Eleazar—endowed Ezra not just with the right to minister, but also with inherent authority to interpret and enforce the Law of God. His identity as an 'Aaronic priest' provided indispensable credibility and respect, crucial for his daunting task of bringing spiritual renewal. It assured the community that his efforts aligned with God’s established divine order for the sanctuary and the people. This verse thus solidifies Ezra’s divinely sanctioned standing for the significant work detailed in the subsequent chapters, validating his role as a priestly scribe commissioned by God.