Atomic Bible

Priest who returned from Babylonian exile

Seraiah

Named in 4 verses across 2 books, first in Ezra 2:2.

שְׂרָיָהוּSeraiah

The name means “prince of the Lord.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Seraiah Written by AI

Seraiah, mentioned in Ezra 2:2, Nehemiah 10:2, and Nehemiah 12:1, was a priest who returned from the Babylonian exile. He is listed among the priests who came back to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, the leader of the first group of returning exiles. Seraiah's name appears in the list of men who sealed the covenant under Nehemiah's leadership (Nehemiah 10:2), indicating his involvement in the spiritual renewal of the community. He is also mentioned in the list of priests who settled in Jerusalem during the time of the high priest Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:1). These references suggest that Seraiah played a significant role in the religious life of the post-exilic community, serving as a priest and participating in important events such as the signing of the covenant.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Seraiah, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Soldier of Jehovah. (1.) The father of Joab (1 Chr. 4:13, 14).

(2.) The grandfather of Jehu (1 Chr. 4:35).

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(3.) One of David’s scribes or secretaries (2 Sam. 8:17).

(4.) A Netophathite (Jer. 40:8), a chief priest of the time of Zedekiah. He was carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon, and there put to death (2 Kings 25:18, 23).

(5.) Ezra 2:2.

(6.) Father of Ezra the scribe (7:1).

(7.) A ruler of the temple (Neh. 11:11).

(8.) A priest of the days of Jehoiakim (Neh. 12:1, 12).

(9.) The son of Neriah. When Zedekiah made a journey to Babylon to do homage to Nebuchadnezzar, Seraiah had charge of the royal gifts to be presented on that occasion. Jeremiah took advantage of the occasion, and sent with Seraiah a word of cheer to the exiles in Babylon, and an announcement of the doom in store for that guilty city. The roll containing this message (Jer. 50:1-8) Seraiah was to read to the exiles, and then, after fixing a stone to it, was to throw it into the Euphrates, uttering, as it sank, the prayer recorded in Jer. 51:59-64. Babylon was at this time in the height of its glory, the greatest and most powerful monarchy in the world. Scarcely seventy years elapsed when the words of the prophet were all fulfilled. Jer. 51:59 is rendered in the Revised Version, “Now Seraiah was chief chamberlain,” instead of “was a quiet prince,” as in the Authorized Version.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. Ezra 2:2

    accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:

  2. Nehemiah 10:2

    Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,

  3. Nehemiah 12:1

    Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

  4. Nehemiah 12:12

    In the days of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families: of the family of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.