1. Ezra 2:61 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Who was Barzillai?

Ezra 2:61 (ESV)

61 Also, of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, and the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name).

Barzillai the Gileadite was a man numbered among the friends of David (2 Samuel 17:27–29; 2 Samuel 19:31–40; 1 Kings 2:7). The priest Barzillai made the mistake of taking his wife’s name and as a result his heritage was in dispute.