BERZELLAI (Hebr. Barzillai). — A wealthy landowner of Rogelim in Gilead. He hosted DAVID when the latter was fleeing because of ABSALOM’s rebellion (*2 Sam.* 17:27). Later, sent by the grateful king to settle in Jerusalem with him, he courteously declined on account of his advanced age: eighty years old (ibid. 19:31–39). His descendants shared the fortunes of the people of Israel (*1 Kgs.* 2:7). At the time of EZRA and NEHEMIAH some of them, unable to prove their membership in the priestly class, were deprived of the office they had hitherto exercised (*Ezra* 2:61; *Neh.* 7:63). A certain B. from Meholah was the father of MICHAL’s husband, Hadriel (*2 Sam.* 21:8).
BERZELLAI (EHR. BARZILLAJ)
