Ater אָטֵר
Head of a family that returned from Babylonian exile
Who is Ater in the Bible?
Ater was the head of a family who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile during the restoration period led by Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:16; Nehemiah 7:21). He appears in the official census lists recorded in both Ezra and Nehemiah, which documented the exiles who made the journey back to their homeland after the fall of Babylon. Some versions of scripture, including the King James Version, identify him as "Ater of Hezekiah," possibly indicating a family lineage or ancestral connection. Ater's inclusion in these restoration lists underscores the significance of his family's participation in the rebuilding of Jewish life, worship, and the temple in Jerusalem following the period of captivity.
Biography
Ater is mentioned in the lists of people who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, as recorded in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7. He was the head of a family that joined the group of exiles led by Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, in their journey back to their homeland. The lists in Ezra and Nehemiah provide a census of the returnees, highlighting the importance of resettling Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple. Ater's family, along with others, played a crucial role in the restoration of Jewish life and worship in Jerusalem after the exile.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:16
"the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:21
"the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אָטֵר |
Ater
ref>). the King James Version has "Ater of Hezekiah"; the Revised Version (British and American) of 1 Esdras 5:15 has "Ater of Ezekias," margin, "Ater of Hezekiah." the King James Version has "Aterezias."
(2) The head of a family of porters who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezr 2:42; Ne 7:45).
a-ter-e-zi'-as (Ater to Hezekia): Usually found in the abbreviated form Ater. Head of a Jewish family, which returned with Zerubbabel, under the decree of Cyrus. Mentioned (Ezr 2:16</