בַּ֫יִת

1. house,
  a. as dwelling habitation Gen 19:2; Gen 19:3; Gen 19:4; Gen 19:11; Gen 27:15; Gen 33:17 (object of בָּנָה) Exod 12:7 + often; מוֺשַׁב ׳בּ Lev 25:29 (compare בַּיִת לְשִׁבְתִּי 2Sam 7:5); בֵּית = in the house of, when modifying word follows, compare Dr^{Sm 29, n. 2} (after stative construct מוֺלֶדֶת בַּיִת אוֺ מוֺלֶדֶת חוּץ Lev 19:9); e.g. אָבִיךָ ׳בּ Gen 24:23 אִישָׁהּ ׳בּ Num 30:11 יהוה ׳בּ 2Kgs 23:24 so in proper name ביתאל Amos 7:13 (ה)בַּ֫יְתָה into the house, home Exod 9:19 (of man & beast) compare, Judg 19:18; 1Sam 6:7 (compare v1Sam 6:10) 1Kgs 13:7; 1Kgs 13:15; Ps 68:7; Isa 14:17 etc.; compare below 7 below; partic (α) in J occasionally of tent Gen 27:15 compare Gen 33:17 (with בנה; here of nomad's hut); usually (β) house of solid materials, with doorposts, etc. Exod 12:7; Deut 6:9; Deut 11:20, walls Lev 14:37; Lev 14:39, of stones, timber & mortar vLev 14:45 (compare vLev 14:40 vLev 14:42 vLev 14:43); so also Josh 2:15 supported by pillars Judg 16:26f.; with roof on which one could walk 2Sam 11:12 etc.; see especially temple and king's house in Jerusalem 1 Ki 5-7 etc.; compare Song 1:7; Jer 22:14 of Ezekiel's temple Ezek 40f.; בָּֽתֵּכֶם סְפוּנִים of luxurious houses Hag 1:4 בנה בָּֽתִּים טֹבִים Deut 8:12 בּנה בַּיִתחָֿדָשׁ Deut 20:5 compare Deut 22:8 also with בנה Deut 28:30 + often; (γ) construct before word of material, אֲרָזִים ׳בּ 2Sam 7:2; 2Sam 7:7 = 1Chr 17:1 (׳הַא ׳בּ) v1Chr 17:6 הַשֵּׁן ׳בּ 1Kgs 22:39 compare Amos 3:15 גָּזִית ׳בּ house of hewn stone Amos 5:11 compare בֵּית יַעַר הַלְּבָנוֺן 1Kgs 7:2; 2Chr 9:20, בֵּית הַיַּעַר Isa 22:8 (δ) also before word of quality or characteristic, בֵּית אֵבֶל Eccl 7:2 || מִשְׁתֶּה ׳בּ vEccl 7:4 || שִׂמְחָה ׳בּ; מַרְזֵחַ ׳בּ Jer 16:5 מִשְׁתֶּה ׳בּ Jer 16:8 בָּֽתֵּי חֶמְדָּתֵךְ Ezek 26:12 בֵּית תַּעֲנֻגֶי֑הָ Mic 2:9 compare מְרִי ׳בּ rebellious house below

5. d below; (ε) in combinations, of structures for various purposes: — (1) בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ = palace 1Kgs 9:1; 1Kgs 9:10; 1Kgs 10:12 +, etc.; בֵּית מַמְלָכָה Amos 7:13 compare below

2. below; הַמַּלְכוּת ׳בּ Esth 5:1 compare Esth 2:16 לְמַלְכוּתוֺ ׳בּ 2Chr 1:18 (2) בֵּית הַסֹּהַר = the prison Gen 39:20 (twice in verse); Gen 39:21; Gen 39:22 (twice in verse); Gen 39:23; Gen 40:3; Gen 40:5 compare מִשְׁמַרְכֶם ׳בּ Gen 42:19 מִשְׁמֶרֶת ׳בּ 2Sam 20:3 ׳בּ הָאָסוּר Jer 37:15 הָאֲסיּרים ׳בּ Judg 16:21; Judg 16:25 הָסֿוּרִים ׳בּ Eccl 4:14 הַכֶּלֶא ׳בּ 1Kgs 22:27; 2Kgs 17:4; 2Chr 18:26; Jer 37:15; Jer 37:18 compare Isa 42:7 כֶּלֶא ׳בּ 2Kgs 25:27 הַמַּהְפֶּכֶת ׳בּ 2Chr 16:10 הַכְּליּ֯א ׳בּ Jer 37:4; Jer 52:31 בָּֽתֵּי כְלָאִים Isa 42:22 בֵּיתהַֿבּוֺר Jer 37:16 הַפְּקֻדּוֺת ׳בּ Jer 52:31 (3) בֵּית הַנָּשִׁים house of the women, harem Esth 2:9; Esth 2:11; Esth 2:13; Esth 2:14 (4) מִשְׁתֵּה הַיַּיִן ׳בּ Esth 7:8 הַיָּ֑יִן ׳בּ Song 2:4 compare בָּֽתֵּי מָשׂוֺשׂ Isa 32:13 (5) בֵּית הַחֹרֶף Amos 3:15; Jer 36:22 ׳הַקָּ֑יִץ בּ Amos 3:15 (6) בֵּית נְכֹתֹה & בֵּית כֵּלָיו 2Kgs 20:13 = Isa 39:2 (7) בֵּית הַגָּן garden-h. (or proper name? compare p. III) 2Kgs 9:27 (8) בֵּיתעֵֿקֶד binding-h. (or proper name?) 2Kgs 10:12; 2Kgs 10:14 (9) בֵּיתעֲבָדִים h. of slaves (where slaves live), only figurative of Egypt Exod 13:3; Exod 13:14; Exod 20:2; Deut 5:6; Deut 6:12; Deut 7:8; Deut 8:14; Deut 13:6; Deut 13:11; Josh 24:17; Judg 6:8; Mic 6:4; Jer 34:13 — on הַחָפְשִׁית ׳בּ 2Kgs 15:5 = 2Chr 26:21 compare חפשׁית; especially (10) ׳בֵּית י = temple 1Kgs 7:12; 1Kgs 7:40; 1Kgs 7:45; 1Kgs 7:51 & very often; also (mostly late) בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים 1Chr 9:11; 1Chr 9:13; 1Chr 9:26 + often; but also of earlier tent of worship Judg 18:31 see also הָאֹהֶל ׳בּ 1Chr 9:23, compare אֱלֹהִים ׳בּ of local shrine 1Chr 17:5 & also in mouth of Jacob, as explanation of name of Bethel Gen 28:17 (compare vGen 28:19), & as name of stone, or MaÁÁeba vGen 28:22 = (all E); also ׳י ׳ב of earlier tent of worship Judg 19:18; 1Sam 1:7; 1Sam 1:24; 2Sam 12:20 (compare further אֱלֹהִים, יהוה); הָאוֺצָר ׳בּ Mal 3:10 compare הֵיכַל הַבַּיִת 1Kgs 6:3, & ׳בּ alone in same sense, especially 1Kgs 6 compare 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 2:11 +; see 1Chr 28:2 ׳מְנוּחָה לַאֲרוֺן בְּרִיתיֿ ׳בּ וְלַהֲדֹם רַגְלֵי אֱלֹהֵינוּ; also בֵּית הַקֹּדֶשׁ 1Chr 29:3 קֹדֶשׁ ׳בּ הַקֳּדָשִׁים 2Chr 3:8; 2Chr 3:10 קָדְשֵׁנוּ וְתִפְאַרְתֵּנוּ ׳בּ Isa 64:10 בֵּיתזְֿבֻל 2Chr 6:2 בֵּית זָ֑בַח 2Chr 7:12 בֵּית מִקְדָּשָׁם 2Chr 36:17 תְּפִלָּה ׳בּ Isa 56:7 (twice in verse); תִּפְאַרְתִּי ׳בּ Isa 60:7 also of heathen temples בַּעַלבְּֿרִית ׳ב Judg 9:4 דָּֿגוֺן׳ב 1Sam 5:5 עַשְׁתָּרוֺת ׳ב 1Sam 31:10 רִמּוֺן ׳ב 2Kgs 5:18 (3 t. in verse); הַבַּעַל ׳ב 2Kgs 10:21 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 10:23; 2Kgs 10:25; 2Kgs 10:26; 2Kgs 10:27; 2Kgs 11:18 עֲצַבֵּיהֶם ׳בּ 1Sam 31:9 (but read rather אתעֿצביהם as in || 1Chr 10:9 so ᵐ5 We Dr); בֵּית בָּמוֺת 1Kgs 12:31 (compare MI בת במת) see also 1Kgs 13:32; 2Kgs 17:29; 2Kgs 17:32 בֵּית אוֺצַר אֱלֹהָיו Dan 1:2 etc.; made of woven material 2Kgs 23:7 אֲשֶׁר הַנָּשִׁים אֹרְגוֺת שָׁם בָּֽתִּים לָאֲשֵׁרָה perhaps = tent-shrines but text dubious ᵐ5 χεττιεῖν (כתנות ?); ᵐ5^L στολάς; compare Ew^{H iii.718} & Klo; (ζ) of portion of larger building (late), so plural בָּֽתָּיו 1Chr 28:11 i.e. of the temple (|| גַּנְזַכָּיו, עֲלִיֹּתָיו, חֲדָרָיו); compare הַכַּפֹּרֶת ׳בּ ib.; הַמְֿבַשְּׁלִים ׳בּ Ezek 46:24.
  b. as shelter or abode of animals 1Sam 6:7; 1Sam 6:10 compare Exod 9:19 בֵּית עַכָּבִישׁ Job 8:14 spider's web (compare בָּנָה כָעָשׁ בֵּיתוֺ Job 27:18); of wild ass Job 39:6 שַׂמְתִּי עֲרָבָה בֵיתוֺ; צִפּוֺר מָֽצְאָה בַּיִת Ps 84:4 (|| קֵן); חֲסִידָה בְּרוֺשִׁים בֵּיתָהּ Ps 104:17 (compare || & Che); Prov 30:26 (of the שְׁפַנִּים 'conies').
  c. figurative of human bodies בָּֽתֵּיחֹֿמֶר Job 4:19 houses of clay, compare in phrase שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת Eccl 12:3 keepers of the house, i.e. the arms; see further בֵּית מְגוּרָ֑י Ps 119:54.
  d. of sh®°ôl, שְׁאוֺל בֵּיתִי Job 17:13, compare בֵּית מוֺעֵד לְכָלחָֿ֑י Job 30:23 (|| מָוֶת); בֵּית עוֺלָמוֺ Eccl 12:5 (perhaps = tomb, see De).
  e. of abode of light & darkness Job 38:20. feminine of land of Ephraim as יהוה ׳בּ Hos 8:1; Hos 9:15 (compare ׳אֶרֶץ י Hos 9:3).

2. place, of Jerusalem בֵּית קִבְרוֺת אֲבֹתַי Neh 2:3 (|| עִיר vNeh 2:5), compare also proper name compounded with בֵּית, below, & בֵּית מַמְלָכָה Amos 7:13 (predicate of Bethel); בֵּית נְתִיבוֺת Prov 8:2 i.e. where paths meet RV; אֲבָנִים ׳בּ Job 8:17 on both these see בֵּית below [בַּיִן] בֵּין p. 108.

3. receptacle, תְּעָלָה כְּבֵית סָאתַיִם 1Kgs 18:32 a trench like a receptacle of two seahs; בָּֽתֵּי נֶפֶשׁ Isa 3:20 i.e. vials of perfume; especially בָּֽתִּים לְבַדִּים Exod 25:27 holders for the staves, i.e. rings, טַבָּעֹת ib.; so Exod 37:14; Exod 37:27; Exod 38:5 compare בָּֽתִּים לַבְּרִיחִם Exod 26:29; Exod 36:34 holders for the bars (all P, & all explained by טבעת); בֵּיתלָֿהּ סָבִיב Ezek 1:27 (si vera lectio) its [construct as Ps 58:5] house (= enclosing cage) was round about (strike out B Hi Co).

4. of house as containing a family, hence in phrase of slaves belonging to household יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֺ Gen 14:14 compare Gen 17:12 (opposed to מִקְנַתכֶּֿסֶף) vGen 17:13 (all || id.) figurative of Israel Jer 2:14 (|| עֶבֶד); compare בֶּןבֵּֿיתִי Gen 15:3 בְּנֵיבַֿיִת הָיָה לִי Eccl 2:7 (as token of wealth & prosperity); also of one's sister מוֺלֶדֶת בַּיִת Lev 18:19 (|| חוּץ ׳מ compare below); אַנְשֵׁי בֵיתוֺ Gen 17:27 ׳נַפְשׁוֺת בּ Gen 36:6 כָּלהַֿנֶּפֶשׁ לְבֵיתיַֿעֲקֹב Gen 46:27. Hence

5. household, family (592 t.)
  a. ordinary sense, those belonging to the same household Gen 7:1; Gen 12:1; Gen 12:17 +, Deut 6:22; Deut 11:6 +; Hexateuch mostly J D; E Gen 35:2; Gen 42:33; Gen 50:22 compare Exod 1:21 below; P Gen 36:6; Exod 1:1; Exod 12:4; Lev 16:6; Lev 16:11; Lev 16:17; Num 16:32; Num 18:31; Josh 22:15 even where expressly said to inhabit tents Num 16:32; Deut 11:6 אֶתבָּֽֿתֵּיהֶם וְאֶתאָֿהֳלֵיהֶם; specifically ׳זְקַןבּֿ Gen 24:2 compare Gen 50:7 (of rank & dignity in household); of a family of handicraftsmen מִשְׁפְּחוֺת בֵּיתעֲֿבֹדַת הַבֻּץ 1Chr 4:21 (see בוץ); also, with figurative of house clearly in mind ׳מִשְׁקֹלֶת בּ 2Kgs 21:13 ׳מַפְתֵּחַ בּ Isa 22:22.
  b. family of descendants, descendants as organized body Gen 18:19 (J || בָּנִים) +, & so with בָּנָה (q. v.) אחיו ׳יִבְנֶה בּ Deut 25:9 compare Ruth 4:11 &, subject ׳י, לְ ׳בָּנָה בּ 2Sam 7:27 = 1Chr 17:10; 1Chr 17:25 also 1Sam 2:35; 1Kgs 11:38 (both נֶאֱמָן ׳בּ), so לְ ׳עשׂה בּ 2Sam 7:11; 1Kgs 2:24 also plural וַיַּעַשׂ לָהֶם בָּֽתִּים Exod 1:21 נֶאֱמָן לְ ׳עשׂה ב 1Sam 25:28 compare especially with proper name, e.g.
  c. בֵּית שָׁאוּל 2Sam 3:1 (twice in verse); 2Sam 3:6 (twice in verse); 2Sam 3:8; 2Sam 3:10; 2Sam 9:1; 2Sam 9:2; 2Sam 9:3; 2Sam 9:9; 2Sam 16:5 (׳שׁ ׳משׁפחת בּ) v2Sam 16:8; 2Sam 19:18 (compare 2Sam 21:1 where read וְאֶלֿ בֵּיתֹה דָמִים so ᵐ5 We Dr) 1Chr 12:29 בֵּית דָּוִד 2Sam 3:1; 2Sam 3:6; 2Sam 7:26 = 1Chr 17:24 (compare context in both), 1Kgs 12:19 = 2Chr 10:19, v2Chr 10:20 v2Chr 10:26; 2Chr 13:2; 2Chr 14:8; 2Kgs 17:21; Isa 7:2; Isa 7:13; Isa 22:22; Jer 21:12; Zech 12:7; Zech 12:8; Zech 12:10; Zech 12:12 (׳דּ ׳משׁפחת בּ) 2Chr 21:7; Ps 122:5 יָרָבְעָם ׳בּ 1Kgs 13:34; 1Kgs 14:10 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 14:13; 1Kgs 14:14; 1Kgs 15:29; 1Kgs 16:3; 1Kgs 21:22; 2Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 13:6 אַחְאָב ׳בּ 2Kgs 8:18; 2Kgs 8:27 (3 t. in verse) (of Ahaziah ׳א ׳חֲתַן בּ), 2Kgs 9:7; 2Kgs 9:8; 2Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 10:10; 2Kgs 10:11; 2Kgs 21:13; Mic 6:16; 2Chr 21:6; 2Chr 21:13; 2Chr 22:3; 2Chr 22:4; 2Chr 22:7; 2Chr 22:8 etc.
  d. especially of Hebrew people & subdivisions: (α) בֵּית יִשְׂחָ֑ק Amos 7:16 (β) עֵשָׂו ׳בּ Obad 1:18 (twice in verse); (γ) בֵּית יַעֲקֹב Gen 46:27 (P) Exod 19:3 (E) Amos 3:13; Amos 9:8; Mic 2:7; Mic 3:9; Obad 1:17; Obad 1:18; Isa 8:17; Isa 10:20; Isa 14:1; Isa 29:22; Isa 46:3; Isa 48:1; Isa 58:1; Jer 2:4; Jer 5:20; Ps 114:1 also יעקב ׳זֶרַע בּ Ezek 20:5 (strike out Co); most frequently (δ) בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל (Vrss & variant reading sometimes בני see בֵּן) Hexateuch Exod 16:31; Exod 40:38; Lev 10:6; Num 20:29 (all P) Lev 17:3; Lev 17:8; Lev 17:10; Lev 22:18 (H) Josh 21:43 (D) ; 1Sam 7:2 + 8 t. Samuel Kings; Hos 1:4; Hos 1:6; Hos 5:1; Hos 6:10; Hos 12:1; Amos 5:1 + 7 t. Amos; Mic 1:5; Mic 3:1; Mic 3:9; Isa 5:7; Isa 14:2, also Isa 46:3; Isa 63:7; Zech 8:13 ; but especially Jer 2:4; Jer 2:26 + 17 t. Jeremiah; Ezek 3:1; Ezek 3:4; Ezek 3:5; Ezek 3:7 (twice in verse); Ezek 3:17 + 75 t. Ezekiel; also יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳זֶרַע בּ Jer 23:8; Ezek 44:22 (Co strike out ׳בּ); שְׁנֵי בָֽתֵּי יִשְׂרָאֵל Isa 8:14 בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה Ezek 9:9 + Ezek 25:8 Co; futher בֵּית מְרִי rebellious house (of Israel) Ezek 2:5; Ezek 2:6; Ezek 3:9; Ezek 3:26; Ezek 3:27; Ezek 12:2; Ezek 12:3, & הַמֶּ֑רִי ׳בּ Ezek 2:8; Ezek 12:2; Ezek 12:9; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 17:12; Ezek 24:3 [+ Ezek 44:6 Co]; (ε) בֵּית יְהוּדָה 2Sam 2:4; 2Sam 2:7; 2Sam 2:10; 2Sam 2:11; 1Kgs 12:21 = 2Chr 11:1; 2Kgs 19:30 = Isa 37:31; Isa 22:21; Hos 1:7; Hos 5:12; Hos 5:14; Zeph 2:7; Zech 8:13; Zech 8:15; Zech 8:19; Zech 10:3; Zech 10:6; Zech 12:4, & especially Jer 3:18 + 9 t. Jeremiah; Ezek 4:6 + 4 t. Ezekiel + Ezek 9:9 above; also יְהוּדָה וּבִנְיָמִן ׳בּ 1Kgs 12:23 מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה ׳בּ Jer 21:11; Jer 22:6 (ζ) יוֺסֵף ׳בּ Gen 50:8; Josh 17:17; Josh 18:5 (all J E) Judg 1:22; Judg 1:23; Judg 1:35; 2Sam 19:21; 1Kgs 11:28; Amos 5:6; Obad 1:18; Zech 10:6 (η) אֶפְרַיִם ׳בּ Judg 10:9 (θ) בִּנְיָמִן ׳בּ 2Sam 3:19 compare 1Kgs 12:23 above; (ι) יִשָּׂשכָר ׳בּ 1Kgs 15:27 (κ) לֵוִי ׳בּ Exod 2:1 (E) Num 17:23 (P) Zech 12:13 (׳ל ׳משׁפחת ב), Ps 135:20 & (λ) אַהֲרֹן ׳בּ Ps 115:10; Ps 115:12; Ps 118:3; Ps 135:19.
  e. technically, yet with some looseness of usage, בֵּית אָב father's house, of family or clan, plural בֵּית אָבוֺת father-houses, families (e.g. Num 1:2) (79 t.; only P & Chronicles) Exod 6:14; Exod 12:3; Num 1:2; Num 1:4; Num 1:18 + 41 t. Numbers; Josh 22:14 (twice in verse); 1Chr 4:38; 1Chr 5:13 + 25 t. Chronicles; Ezra 2:59; Ezra 10:16; Neh 7:61; Neh 10:35 = tribe Num 17:17 (twice in verse); Num 17:18; Num 17:21 = main division of tribe Num 3:20; Num 3:24 +, compare Num 34:14 (twice in verse) etc.; futher sub-division Exod 12:3; 1Chr 7:2; 1Chr 7:7 +; compare especially 1Chr 23:11 Jeush and Beriah had not many sons, therefore they became לְבֵית אָב לִפְקֻדָּה אֶחָ֑ת (compare ראשׁי אבות, below אב).

6. house, including household affairs, persons, property, etc. וַיַּפְקִדֵהוּ עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ Gen 39:4 compare בְּבֵיתוֺ vGen 39:5 אֲשֶׁר עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ Gen 44:1; Gen 44:4 hence אשׁר על הבית as title of governor of the palace (Ew^{H iii. 269}) Isa 22:15; Isa 36:3 compare 1Kgs 4:6; 2Kgs 15:5 in Israel 1Kgs 16:9; 1Kgs 18:3; 2Kgs 10:5: further 2Sam 17:23; 2Kgs 20:1 = Isa 38:1 hence of personal property 1Kgs 13:8 אִםתִּֿתֶּןלִֿי אֶתחֲֿצִי בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ; family and property (everything on which one depends) Job 8:15.

7. בַּ֫יְתָה, בָּ֑יְתָה, literally housewards, hence metaphor inwards, Exod 28:26 = Exod 39:19 (that is, of the ephod), 1Kgs 7:25 = 2Chr 4:4 (that is, of the circle of oxen supporting the molten sea); 2Sam 5:9 מִןהַֿמִּלּוֺא וָבָ֑יְתָה from the Millo and inward, Ezek 44:17.

8. מִבַּיִת
  a. adverb on the inside (of a building, chest, etc.: opposed to מִחוּץ) Gen 6:14; Exod 25:11 = Exod 37:2; Lev 14:41; 1Kgs 6:15; 1Kgs 6:16; 1Kgs 7:9; 2Kgs 6:30 (of a person's clothes); Ezek 7:15 so with ה locative מִבֲַּ֫יְתָה 1Kgs 6:15
  b. מִבֵּית לְ (construct Ges^{«GKC:130»§ 130}, 1 n.) preposition within (opposed to מִחוּץ לְ), מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת within the veil Exod 26:33; Lev 16:2; Lev 16:12; Num 18:7 לְכָלדְּֿבַר הַמִּזִבֵּחַ וּלְמִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת for everything of the altar, and for (that) within the veil; 1Kgs 7:8; 1Kgs 7:31 (read לַכְּתֵפֹת; see VB & Sta^{ZAW 1883, 165}); אֶלמִֿבֵּית לְ (after a verb of motion) in within Lev 16:15; 2Kgs 11:15 = 2Chr 23:14.Note. — בית perhaps occurs abbreviated into בּ in proper name בְּעֶשְׁתְּרָה q. v. so Thes and others; compare also Aramaic בא = בית in like usage Lag^{Armen. Stud. § 339; Se i. 51; GGA 1884, 276}.

1. house, of men : Ezra 6:11 (twice in verse); Dan 2:5; Dan 2:17; Dan 3:29; Dan 6:11 of king Ezra 6:4; Dan 4:4, מִשְׁתְּיָא ׳ב Dan 5:10, גִּנְוַיָא דִּי מִלְכָּא ׳ב Ezra 5:17, compare Ezra 7:20 = ׳סִפְרַיָא וגו ׳ב Ezra 6:1 מִלְכוּ ׳ב Ezra 4:30 royal residence (of Babylonian ).

2. house of God, temple at Jerusalem Dan 5:3; Dan 5:23; Ezra 4:24 + 28 t. Ezra.