Bebai בֵּבַי
Ancestor of exiles who returned with Ezra to Jerusalem.
Who is Bebai in the Bible?
Bebai was an ancestor of Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia. According to Ezra 8:11, Zechariah, a descendant of Bebai, led 28 men from his family in this journey back to their homeland from Babylon. This group's return was part of the larger restoration effort following the exile, demonstrating that Bebai's family line had survived and grown during the captivity. The specific mention of Bebai's descendants in the list of returning exiles highlights the importance of family lineages in the post-exilic community and their commitment to rebuilding Jewish life and worship in Jerusalem.
Biography
Bebai is mentioned in Ezr.8.11 as the ancestor of a group of exiles who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra. The passage lists the men who joined Ezra in his journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, along with the numbers of their family members. Zechariah, a descendant of Bebai, is specifically named as the leader of this group, which consisted of 28 men. This return took place during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, who had authorized Ezra to lead a group of Israelites back to their homeland. The mention of Bebai's descendant and the size of the group indicates that Bebai's family had grown during the exile and that they were among those who chose to return to Jerusalem to support the restoration of the Jewish community and the temple.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 8:11
"from the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him 28 men;"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בֵּבַי |