Ezias was a nonbiblical Old World prophet who lived before 600 B.C. He is unique in scriptural record as he is mentioned only once, by the prophet Nephi, the son of Helaman. In a stirring discourse delivered to the people of Zarahemla, Nephi cites Ezias among a number of prophets who bore witness of the coming of Christ, aligning him with such figures as Zenock, Isaiah, and Jeremiah (Helaman 8:20). These prophets collectively testified of faith in and redemption through the Messiah, affirming the continuity and consistency of God’s revelations concerning the Redeemer’s mission.
The life and times of Ezias are not detailed within the text, leaving many aspects of his ministry to the interpretation and inference of readers and students of the scriptures. Despite the brief mention, it is evident that Ezias’s prophecies significantly contributed to the Nephites’ understanding of the forthcoming atonement and ministry of Jesus Christ. His teachings regarding the Savior were presumably part of the religious and prophetic materials contained on the brass plates that Nephi’s family obtained from Laban in Jerusalem and which were held in high esteem by Nephite prophets and teachers.
By including his name alongside other great prophets, Nephi imbued Ezias’s testimony with a weight equal to that of his more extensively documented peers. This singular reference by Nephi highlights the profound impact Ezias must have had as a messenger of God, whose prophecies of the coming Messiah echoed through the ages, fortifying the faith of the Nephite people in the promised Redeemer.