Topical Encyclopedia
Parosh is a name that appears in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history. The name Parosh, which means "flea" in Hebrew, is associated with a family or clan that returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and Judah. This family is mentioned in several key passages, primarily in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Return from ExileThe family of Parosh is first mentioned in the book of Ezra, which details the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel. According to
Ezra 2:3, "the descendants of Parosh, 2,172" were among those who returned. This significant number indicates that the family of Parosh was one of the larger groups to return, suggesting their prominence and possibly their influence within the community.
Covenant RenewalIn the book of Nehemiah, the descendants of Parosh are again highlighted during the period of covenant renewal.
Nehemiah 7:8 reiterates the number of the family of Parosh as 2,172, confirming their continued presence and importance in the post-exilic community. This census is part of Nehemiah's effort to repopulate and restore Jerusalem, emphasizing the role of the Parosh family in this restoration process.
Reform and RepentanceThe family of Parosh is also noted in the context of religious reform. In
Ezra 10, during a time of repentance and reform led by Ezra, some members of the Parosh family are listed among those who had married foreign women, which was against the Mosaic Law.
Ezra 10:25 states, "From the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah." These individuals are part of a larger group that agreed to put away their foreign wives in an effort to renew their covenantal faithfulness to God.
Rebuilding EffortsThe descendants of Parosh also played a role in the rebuilding efforts of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 3:25 mentions Pedaiah, a member of the Parosh family, who helped repair a section of the wall of Jerusalem. This involvement underscores the active participation of the Parosh family in the physical and spiritual restoration of the city.
SignificanceThe repeated mention of the Parosh family in the post-exilic records highlights their significance in the restoration community. Their involvement in the return from exile, covenant renewal, religious reform, and rebuilding efforts illustrates their commitment to the reestablishment of Israel's religious and national identity. The narrative of the Parosh family serves as a testament to the broader themes of repentance, restoration, and renewal that characterize the post-exilic period in Israel's history.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Parosha flea; the fruit of a moth
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PAROSHpa'-rosh, par'-osh (par`osh, "flea" (leap)): a family that in part returned under Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:3Nehemiah 7:8), and in part under Ezra (Ezra 8:3; there spelt "Pharosh," the King James Version). Some of the family had foreign wives (Ezra 10:25). One descendant, Pedaiah (see PEDAIAH, (3)), helped to rebuild the city walls (Nehemiah 3:25), and others were among those who "sealed" the covenant of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 10:1, 14). In 1 Esdras 5:9; 8:30; 9:26, "Phoros."
Strong's Hebrew
6551.Parosh -- two Israelites... 6550, 6551.
Parosh. 6552 . two Israelites. Transliteration:
Parosh Phonetic
Spelling: (par-oshe') Short Definition:
Parosh. Word
...6550.parosh -- a flea
... 6549, 6550.parosh. 6551 . a flea. Transliteration:parosh Phonetic Spelling:
(par-oshe') Short Definition: flea.... 6549, 6550.parosh. 6551 . Strong's Numbers
Thesaurus
Parosh (6 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PAROSH.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Parosh (6 Occurrences).
Ezra 2:3 The children of
Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
...2172 (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:3 The children ofParosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. (See NAS
NIV). Nehemiah 7:8 The children ofParosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two....
Izziah (1 Occurrence)
... wives. He belonged to the family ofParosh (Ezra 10:25; 1 Esdras 9:26,
"Ieddias"). Multi-Version Concordance Izziah (1 Occurrence)....
Ramiah (1 Occurrence)
... ra-mi'-a (ramyah, "Yah has loosened" or "Yah is high"): One of the Israelites, of
the sons ofParosh, mentioned in the register of those who had offended in...
Pedaiah (8 Occurrences)
... respectively. (4) Another who helped to repair the city wall (Nehemiah
3:25), of the family ofPAROSH (which see). Perhaps this...
Seventy-two (9 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:3 The children ofParosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.... Nehemiah
7:8 The children ofParosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two....
Zatthu (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Zatthu (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 10:14 The chief of the
people;Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani, (KJV DBY WBS YLT)....
Zattu (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Nehemiah 10:14 The chiefs of the
people:Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV)....
Uzai (1 Occurrence)
... king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son ofParosh
repaired (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Jeziah (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 10:25 Moreover of Israel: of the sons ofParosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah,
and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. (KJV WBS YLT)....
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