Barzillai
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Barzillai was a Gileadite elder who supplied provisions to David and his forces during their flight from Absalom and escorted the king across the Jordan River. He declined royal honors, requesting instead that his son Chimham serve in the king's court.
What is the meaning of Barzillai in the Bible?
Barzillai was a Gileadite elder who supplied provisions to David and his forces during their flight from Absalom and escorted the king across the Jordan River. He declined royal honors, requesting instead that his son Chimham serve in the king's court.
SIGNIFICANCE
Barzillai's narrative illustrates the political alliances and social obligations that sustained David's leadership during times of crisis, offering insight into the role of regional elites in ancient Israelite power structures.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.