Who was Barzillai in the Bible?

Barzillai the Meholathite was the grandfather of the five sons that Michal, King David's wife, adopted and raised. He is mentioned in the context of David's family lineage and succession.

Why is Barzillai the Meholathite significant?

His significance lies in his family connection, as his grandsons were adopted by Michal to continue the line of Saul. This event is part of the complex royal succession narrative in Israel's history (2 Samuel 21:8).

What key event in Barzillai's life is recorded?

The key event is the adoption of his five grandsons by Michal. This occurred after David handed over seven of Saul's descendants to the Gibeonites to atone for Saul's broken treaty (2 Samuel 21:1-9).

Barzillai

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSaul's family

Barzillai the Meholathite was the grandfather of the five sons Michal adopted.

Barzillai

Biography

Barzillai the Meholathite was the father of Adriel, to whom Saul's daughter Merab was given in marriage (1 Samuel 18:19). The family becomes significant in David's dealings with Saul's descendants: following a three-year famine attributed to Saul's slaughter of the Gibeonites, the Gibeonites demanded that seven of Saul's male descendants be handed over. Among those surrendered were five sons whom Merab had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai (2 Samuel 21:8). These men were executed at Gibeah during the barley harvest. Rizpah's subsequent vigil over their bodies moved David to provide them a proper burial alongside Saul and Jonathan, an act that finally brought an end to the famine and divine displeasure.

Significance

Barzillai the Meholathite is a peripheral figure whose significance lies largely in the tragic fate of his grandsons. Their deaths in 2 Samuel 21 raise profound questions about collective guilt, divine justice, and covenantal obligation. The episode illustrates the far-reaching consequences of a leader's sins upon innocent descendants, a recurring theme in the Deuteronomistic History. It also reveals the seriousness with which covenant commitments made to other peoples, such as the Gibeonites in Joshua 9, were upheld before God. The resolution of the famine through burial and mourning suggests that honoring the dead is itself a covenantal act, and that grief faithfully expressed can restore the land to blessing.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Sam

2Sam 21:8

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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