Imri
Biblical Figures Named Imri
Two individuals named Imri appear in the Old Testament, both in post-exilic biblical books. The name Imri (עִמְרִי) is likely a shortened form of "Amariah," meaning "Yahweh has said" or "Yahweh has promised."
Imri the Judahite
The first Imri is listed in a genealogy of the tribe of Judah recorded in 1 Chronicles 9:4. This genealogy appears in a chapter detailing the first Israelites who returned from exile in Babylon to resettle in Jerusalem and Judah. Imri is mentioned as a descendant of Judah through Perez, placing him within the foundational lineage of God's covenant people. His inclusion emphasizes that even after the disruption of exile, the genealogical records—and thus the identity and inheritance of God's people—were preserved.
Imri, Father of Zaccur
The second Imri is known only as the father of Zaccur, son of Imri (Nehemiah 3:2). Zaccur is listed among the many workers who rebuilt a section of Jerusalem's wall under Nehemiah's leadership. This massive communal project was undertaken to restore the city's security and dignity after the return from exile. While Zaccur is credited with the work, the mention of his father's name, Imri, connects him to a specific family lineage within the community.
Significance in the Narrative
Both references to Imri occur in contexts of restoration and re-establishment. The genealogy in 1 Chronicles reaffirms the continuity of the tribal lineages after a period of national catastrophe. The mention in Nehemiah highlights the broad, collective participation in rebuilding—a project that required the efforts of many families, not just prominent leaders. These brief mentions collectively underscore that the story of God's people is built upon both notable figures and countless faithful individuals whose names are barely recorded.
Biblical Context
Imri appears in two post-exilic biblical books. The first, Imri the Judahite, is listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 9:4, which details the lineages of those who returned from the Babylonian exile. The second is identified as 'the father of Zaccur, son of Imri' in Nehemiah 3:2. Here, Zaccur is noted as one of the builders who repaired a section of Jerusalem's wall during Nehemiah's governorship. Both appearances are brief and non-narrative, serving to place individuals within the restored community of Judah.
Theological Significance
The mentions of Imri, though minor, contribute to important biblical themes. They reflect the biblical value of individual identity within the covenant community—even those who are not major actors are named and remembered by God. The contexts (post-exilic genealogy and wall rebuilding) highlight themes of restoration, continuity, and collective responsibility. They demonstrate that God's work of preserving and rebuilding His people involves both the prominent and the seemingly obscure, each playing a part in the larger story of redemption.
Historical Background
Both references to Imri date to the Persian period (c. 5th century BCE), after Cyrus the Great permitted exiled Jews to return to Judah. Genealogical records, like the one containing the first Imri, were crucially important for establishing land rights, priestly lines, and social identity after the return. The rebuilding project in Nehemiah, involving the second Imri's son, was a physical and symbolic act of national restoration undertaken with permission from the Persian king Artaxerxes I. While no extra-biblical sources mention Imri specifically, the historical setting is one of a community diligently reconstructing its religious, social, and physical infrastructure.