עֶזְרִי
Ezri, an Israelite
Definition
עֶזְרִי (Ezri) is a proper noun referring to an individual named Ezri, who served as an overseer in King David's administration. The name means 'my help' or 'helpful,' derived from the Hebrew root for 'help' (עֵזֶר). In the Bible, Ezri is specifically mentioned as the officer in charge of those who tilled the ground and worked the fields for King David (1 Chronicles 27:26). As a proper name, it does not carry multiple senses or meanings, but its single occurrence highlights a specific administrative role within the kingdom's economic structure.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 27:26. It appears in a list of David's officials who managed the king's property, specifically overseeing agricultural laborers. The context is administrative and historical, detailing the organization of David's kingdom. There are no patterns of usage beyond this single reference to an individual holding a position of responsibility.
Etymology
The name עֶזְרִי (Ezri) comes from the Hebrew root עֵזֶר (ezer, H5828), meaning 'help' or 'aid.' It is formed with the first-person singular possessive suffix (ִי), giving it the sense of 'my help.' This is a common Hebrew naming pattern, similar to names like עֻזִּי (Uzzi, 'my strength') and גְּדַלְיָה (Gedaliah, 'Yahweh is great'). The name reflects a personal or theological affirmation of divine or human assistance.
Semantic Range
While the name Ezri itself is not central to major doctrines, its meaning—'my help'—connects to the broader biblical theme of divine help and human dependence on God. Names in Scripture often carry theological significance, reminding readers of God's character or human response to Him. Understanding that Ezri means 'my help' can enrich reading by highlighting how even minor figures' names point to the pervasive biblical idea of seeking and acknowledging help, ultimately fulfilled in God (Psalm 121:2).
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive or expressed hope or faith. Ezri, meaning 'my help,' likely reflected a parent's gratitude or prayer for divine assistance. His role as an overseer of agriculture indicates a position of trust in David's kingdom, managing vital resources. This contrasts with modern naming conventions, which may not carry such explicit meanings, and underscores the integration of faith and daily life in Israelite society.
עֵזֶר (ezer, H5828) — the root noun meaning 'help' or 'aid,' without the possessive suffix. עֶזְרָה (ezrah, H5833) — a feminine noun meaning 'help' or 'assistance,' used in contexts like Psalm 22:19. עָזַר (azar, H5826) — the verb 'to help' or 'to support,' as in Exodus 18:22.
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 →