Zarakes
TextsWhat is the meaning of Zarakes in the Bible?
In 1 Esdras 1:38, the name Zarakes appears as the brother of Eliakim, corresponding to the biblical figure Jehoahaz (also known as Shallum) who was deported by Pharaoh Necho II. This reading differs from the Hebrew Bible, which identifies Eliakim as Jehoiakim and Jehoahaz as his brother, highlighting textual discrepancies between the Septuagint tradition and the Masoretic Text.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Examining the variant Zarakes clarifies how ancient translators handled royal names and familial relationships, aiding readers in understanding why different biblical manuscripts present conflicting genealogies and historical details for the same events.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.