Izrahiah is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Izrahiah was a leader of the tribe of Issachar, mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe in 1 Chronicles. He appears in the family line of Uzzi: “And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men” (1 Chronicles 7:3). The passage places him within the broader genealogical record of Issachar, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, tracing the descendants of the patriarchs through their clans and families.
The setting of this mention is the genealogical material preserved in 1 Chronicles, which recounts the ancestral lines of Israel’s tribes. Izrahiah is named as the son of Uzzi, and he in turn is identified as the father of five sons: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. The text notes that these five were “all of them chief men,” indicating that Izrahiah’s household produced men of standing and leadership within the tribe. The record thus serves to document both his place in the lineage of Issachar and the notable descendants who came from him.
Beyond this single verse, Scripture says nothing further of Izrahiah. He appears only once in the King James Bible, in this brief genealogical notice. What is recorded of him is simply his name, his father, his sons, and the fact that his sons were chief men. The account does not describe any deed, event, or word of his own; his significance in the biblical text lies in his position within the family line and in the leaders who descended from him. His inclusion in the chronicler’s record reflects the importance of ancestry and clan leadership in the life of ancient Israel.
The Name
The name Izrahiah is a Hebrew name, and its meaning is generally understood to be “Yahweh shines” or “Yahweh arises,” from the Hebrew root *zarach*, meaning “to shine” or “to rise,” joined with the divine name *Yah*. The name thus carries a theophoric element, invoking the LORD, and a verb suggesting light or rising. This kind of name was common in ancient Israel, where personal names often expressed devotion to God or confidence in His action. While the precise nuance may vary among scholars, the broad sense of the name is well established and reflects a faith that honored the God of Israel.
A Closing Thought
Izrahiah’s life is known to us only through a single line in a long genealogy, yet that line records something worth noting: his sons were “chief men.” We are not told of his own achievements, but we are told of the leaders who came from his household. This is a quiet reminder that faithfulness often bears fruit beyond our own lifetime and beyond our own record. A person may be remembered only briefly in Scripture, yet still leave a legacy of those who rise to lead and serve. God’s work is not measured by the length of our mention, but by the lives we help shape for His purposes.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Chronicles 7:3 — And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.