Gahar גַּ֫חַר
Ancestor of temple servants who returned from Babylonian exile.
Who is Gahar in the Bible?
Gahar was an ancestor of a group of temple servants, known as the Nethinim, who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:47, Nehemiah 7:49). The Nethinim were a distinct class of temple personnel who assisted the Levites in maintaining and serving the temple, likely descended from the Gibeonites whom Joshua had assigned to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the altar of the Lord. Gahar's descendants are listed among those who returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, indicating their faithfulness in temple service even during the period of exile. Though Gahar himself is not described in detail, his mention in the exile lists demonstrates the continuity of temple worship and the restoration of proper religious personnel in the rebuilt Jerusalem.
Biography
Gahar is mentioned in Ezr.2.47 and Neh.7.49 as an ancestor of a group of temple servants, also known as Nethinim, who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile. The Nethinim were a class of temple personnel who assisted the Levites in the maintenance and service of the temple (Ezr.8.20). They were likely descendants of the Gibeonites who were assigned by Joshua to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the altar of the Lord (Jos.9.23, 27). In the lists of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 2) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 7), the descendants of Gahar are counted among the Nethinim. This suggests that Gahar's descendants had faithfully carried out their duties in the temple service, even during the exile, and were part of the group who returned to restore worship in Jerusalem.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:47
"the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar, the descendants of Reaiah,"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:49
"the descendants of Hanan, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar,"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גַּ֫חַר |