Bigvai בִּגְוַי
Ancestor of exiles who returned to Jerusalem
Who is Bigvai in the Bible?
Bigvai was an ancestor of a large group of Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. According to records in Ezra and Nehemiah, over 2,000 individuals from Bigvai's family were among the returnees, with Ezra 2:14 listing 2,056 and Nehemiah 7:19 recording 2,067 descendants. The significance of this large number indicates that Bigvai's descendants formed an important segment of the exiled Jewish community. During Ezra's own return to Jerusalem, two leaders from Bigvai's line named Uthai and Zabbud led an additional group of 70 men (Ezra 8:14). The repeated mention of Bigvai's descendants throughout the restoration accounts highlights their crucial role in rebuilding the Jewish community and city of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
Biography
Bigvai was the ancestor of a large group of people who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity. According to the records in Ezra and Nehemiah, 2,056 (Ezr. 2:14) or 2,067 (Neh. 7:19) individuals from Bigvai's family were among the returnees. This significant number suggests that Bigvai's descendants formed an important part of the Jewish community in exile. Additionally, Ezra mentions that Uthai and Zabbud, two leaders from the descendants of Bigvai, led a group of 70 men to Jerusalem during Ezra's own return (Ezr. 8:14). The repeated mention of Bigvai's descendants highlights their active role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish community after the exile.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 2 verses
- Ezra 2:14
"the descendants of Bigvai, 2,056;"
Study Ezra → - Ezra 8:14
"and from the descendants of Bigvai, both Uthai and Zaccur, and with them 70 men."
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:19
"the descendants of Bigvai, 2,067;"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בִּגְוַי |
Bigvai
a large number of his retainers (2,056, according to Ezr 2:14; 2,067, according to Ne 7:19), besides 72 males later under Ezra (Ezr 8:14).
(2) One of those who subscribed the covenant with Nehemiah (Ne 10:16).
bik-ath-a'-ven (biq`ath 'awen, "valley of vanity" (Am 1:5 King James Version, margin)).
See AVEN; BETH-EDEN.
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