Lexical Summary
Barzillay: Barzillai
Original Word: בַּרְזִלַּי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Barzillay
Pronunciation: bar-zil-LAI
Phonetic Spelling: (bar-zil-lah'-ee)
KJV: Barzillai
NASB: Barzillai
Word Origin: [from H1270 (בַּרזֶל - iron)]
1. iron-hearted
2. Barzillai, the name of three Israelites
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Barzillai
From barzel; iron-hearted; Barzillai, the name of three Israelites -- Barzillai.
see HEBREW barzel
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
barzelDefinition"man of iron," three Isr.
NASB TranslationBarzillai (12).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(
man of iron) no adjective from names of metals; perhaps Aramaic, and =
son Nes
ZPV xv.257; AJSL Apr. 1897. 173. —
2 Samuel 17:27; 2 Samuel 19:32; 2 Samuel 19:33; 2 Samuel 19:35; 2 Samuel 19:40; 1 Kings 2:7; 2 Samuel 19:34; Ezra 2:61 = Nehemiah 7:63 , where 2nd Barzillai = above, & former is
Ezra 2:61 = Nehemiah 7:63, who adopted name .
2 Samuel 21:8 a Meholathite.
Topical Lexicon
Occurrences and Persons1. Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim (2 Samuel 17:27; 2 Samuel 19:31-39; 1 Kings 2:7; Ezra 2:61; Nehemiah 7:63).
2. Barzillai the Meholathite, father of Adriel (2 Samuel 21:8).
3. The post-exilic priestly family that adopted the name through marriage to the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite (Ezra 2:61; Nehemiah 7:63, each counted twice in the Hebrew text).
Historical Setting
Barzillai the Gileadite emerges during Absalom’s rebellion when King David retreats east of the Jordan. Rogelim lies in Gilead, north of Mahanaim. The episode takes place near the close of David’s reign, around 970 BC. Barzillai the Meholathite is connected to an earlier generation under Saul, while the priestly family appears more than four centuries later during the return from Babylonian exile (circa 538 BC).
Barzillai the Gileadite: Loyal Benefactor of David
2 Samuel 17:27-29 records Barzillai’s immediate response to David’s need: “They brought bedding, bowls, and articles of pottery, along with wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from cattle, for David and the people with him to eat. For they said, ‘The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.’”
His generosity is free of calculation; no entreaty prompts the gift. He perceives the covenant king’s distress and acts as if ministering to the Lord Himself (compare Matthew 25:40). Scripture gives no hint that Barzillai expected repayment, yet his kindness becomes the ground for lasting blessing.
Character and Virtues
• Fidelity in crisis – stands with the anointed when many defect (2 Samuel 19:32).
• Humility – declines David’s invitation to the royal court because of advanced age, opting to die among his own (2 Samuel 19:34-37).
• Self-denial – sends his servant Chimham in his place, placing the younger man’s welfare above his own honor.
• Generational vision – his spiritual generosity outlives him through Chimham and the later priestly family that bears his name.
David’s Public Commendation
Upon David’s restoration, the king seeks to honor his benefactor: “You will cross over with me to Jerusalem, and I will provide for you there” (2 Samuel 19:33). When Barzillai courteously refuses, David responds, “Whatever you desire of me I will do for you” (2 Samuel 19:38). Solomon later receives a charge: “Deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom” (1 Kings 2:7). Thus royal favor extends to successive generations, illustrating Proverbs 11:25, “he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Covenant Implications
Barzillai’s ministry corroborates the biblical principle that those who bless the Lord’s anointed will be blessed (Genesis 12:3; Psalm 18:50). His hospitality foreshadows New Testament patterns of supporting gospel ministry (Philippians 4:15-19; 3 John 5-8). By honoring David, he indirectly honors the greater Son of David, anticipating the Messianic fulfillment.
Influence on Post-Exilic Identity
In Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63 a priestly clan is disqualified from temple service because their genealogy cannot be confirmed. The text notes that an ancestor “had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name.” This detail shows Barzillai’s family held such esteem that in-laws adopted the name. The incident underscores the importance Israel placed on verified lineage while also preserving Barzillai’s memory among the returnees.
Barzillai the Meholathite
2 Samuel 21:8 names “Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite,” husband of Saul’s daughter Merab. Though unrelated to the Gileadite benefactor, this Barzillai provides a chronological anchor: his son-in-law suffers in the atonement for Saul’s bloodguilt against the Gibeonites, illustrating collective responsibility and covenant justice.
Ministerial Lessons
1. Practical mercy in crisis demonstrates covenant loyalty.
2. Humility in refusing personal rewards elevates the giver’s testimony.
3. Blessings promised to generous believers may extend to subsequent generations (Psalm 112:2).
4. Taking on a godly name is not enough; true priestly service requires authentic lineage—ultimately fulfilled in believers’ union with the Great High Priest (Hebrews 7:23-25).
Key Passages for Study
2 Samuel 17:27-29; 2 Samuel 19:31-39; 1 Kings 2:7; Ezra 2:61; Nehemiah 7:63.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּרְזִלַּ֖י בַּרְזִלַּ֤י בַּרְזִלָּ֑י בַרְזִלַּ֗י בַרְזִלַּ֤י ברזלי וּבַרְזִלַּ֥י וּבַרְזִלַּי֙ וברזלי לְבַרְזִלַּי֙ לברזלי bar·zil·lay bar·zil·lāy ḇar·zil·lay barzilLai barzillay barzillāy ḇarzillay lə·ḇar·zil·lay ləḇarzillay levarzilLai ū·ḇar·zil·lay ūḇarzillay uvarzilLai varzilLai
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