Meraioth
Meraioth, a priest in the lineage of Eleazar, mentioned in genealogies (1Ch.6.6,7,52; 9.11; Ezr.7.3; Neh.11.11).
Biography
Meraioth was a priest in the distinguished lineage of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, whose name appears across multiple genealogical records in Scripture. In 1 Chronicles 6:6-7, he is listed as the son of Zerahiah and the father of Amariah, placing him in the direct line of high priestly succession. This same genealogy is echoed in 1 Chronicles 6:52 and Ezra 7:3, where his lineage is traced from Aaron through to Ezra the scribe. Nehemiah 11:11 and 1 Chronicles 9:11 also reference a Meraioth in priestly genealogies connected to those who served in the rebuilt temple. His placement in these records spans the generations between the early priesthood and the post-exilic restoration, marking him as an important link in Israel's sacerdotal heritage.
Significance
Meraioth's repeated appearance across Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah highlights the biblical emphasis on priestly legitimacy through unbroken genealogical succession. His position in the Eleazar line, the senior branch of the Aaronic priesthood, connects the Mosaic era to the post-exilic period, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His ordained worship structure across centuries. The fact that Ezra traced his own credentials through Meraioth's line (Ezra 7:3) shows how essential such genealogical links were for establishing religious authority. Meraioth thus represents the continuity of God's covenantal promises, anchoring later generations of priests to the foundational calling given at Sinai.
Verse Appearances (6)
Ezra
Nehemiah
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]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]