Arah is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, whose lineage appears in the genealogies recorded after the Babylonian exile. While not a central character with an extensive narrative, his significance rests in his connection to the returning exiles—those who demonstrated the enduring nature of God’s covenantal promises by returning to the land of Judah.
The Return from Babylon
The name Arah is specifically linked to a family head whose descendants were counted among those who returned to Jerusalem and Judah under the decree of Cyrus the Great, King of Persia. This momentous event, detailed primarily in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, marks a critical pivot in Israelite history—the opportunity to rebuild the Temple and re-establish a community dedicated to the worship of God.
Arah is explicitly mentioned in two key passages that document the census of the returnees:
- Ezra 2:5 (KJV): “The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.”
- Nehemiah 7:10 (KJV): “The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.”
It is important to note the slight discrepancy in the numbers of Arah’s descendants recorded in these two books. Such variations are common in ancient censuses and often attributed to different points in time when the count was taken, variations in the groups included, or scribal tradition. Regardless of the exact number, the presence of the “children of Arah” testifies to a sizeable family unit committed to the restoration of their homeland.
Significance
While we know nothing of Arah’s personal life or his actions, the mention of his descendants provides a vital link in the historical and prophetic narrative:
- Preservation of Lineage: His name is preserved as the founder of a significant family line that survived the seventy-year exile in Babylon. This survival underscores God’s faithfulness in preserving a remnant, allowing the seed of Abraham to continue and fulfill its destiny.
- Part of the Foundation: The children of Arah were not just passengers; they were participants in the arduous work of restoration—rebuilding walls, resetting society, and revitalizing the religious life of the nation. They formed part of the foundation upon which the Second Temple era was built.
- Witness to Prophecy: Their very return was a fulfillment of the prophecies of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10), a tangible witness to God’s sovereign control over the nations and His enduring purpose for His people.