Pharakim
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Pharakim in the Bible?
The Pharakim were a family of temple servants who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, as documented in 1 Esdras 5:31, though they are absent from the parallel lists in Ezra and Nehemiah.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying the Pharakim in 1 Esdras provides insight into the broader composition of the post-exilic community and the variations in textual traditions regarding the personnel who restored the Jerusalem temple.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Pharakim reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Pharakim in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pharakim clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Pharakim." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pharakim/