אָמִי
Ami, an Israelite
Definition
Ami is a proper name referring to an individual listed among the returning exiles in the book of Ezra. The name itself is an abbreviated form of 'Amon' and likely carries a meaning related to 'craftsman' or 'skilled worker.' In the biblical record, Ami is mentioned only once, specifically as the head of a family group that returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah. This places him within the historical context of the Israelite restoration under Persian rule. His inclusion signifies his family's participation in the re-establishment of the Jewish community in Jerusalem.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper noun in Ezra 2:57 (and its parallel in Nehemiah 7:59, where the name appears as 'Amon'). It functions solely to identify a family head among the returnees from the Babylonian exile. There are no other contextual uses or patterns, as it appears only in these genealogical lists documenting the restoration community.
Etymology
'Ami' (אָמִי) is an abbreviated or defective spelling of the name 'Amon' (אָמוֹן, H526). The root likely relates to the Hebrew verb 'aman,' meaning to be firm, skilled, or trustworthy, often associated with a master craftsman. This shortened form was a common practice for personal names in biblical Hebrew.
Semantic Range
While the name Ami itself is not theologically loaded, its appearance is significant for understanding God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Ami's inclusion in the list of returning exiles (Ezra 2:57) demonstrates God's preservation of a remnant from Israel, fulfilling prophecies of restoration (e.g., Jeremiah 29:10). It highlights the theme of God's people being re-gathered, which is foundational to the post-exilic biblical narrative and points toward greater spiritual restoration.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often conveyed meaning or parental hopes. 'Ami' (from 'Amon') suggesting 'craftsman' may indicate a family trade or a hope for the child's skill and reliability. Being listed as a family head in an official register conferred social identity and established one's lineage and right to participate in the restored community, which was crucial for land inheritance and religious standing.
Amon (ʼÂmôwn, H526) — The full form of the name from which 'Ami' is derived.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →