Giddel גִּדֵּל
Ancestor of temple servants who returned from Babylonian exile.
Who is Giddel in the Bible?
Giddel 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 class of temple personnel who assisted the Levites in maintaining and serving the temple (Ezra 8:20), likely descended from the Gibeonites assigned by Joshua to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the altar (Joshua 9:23, 27). His descendants appear in the official lists of exiles who returned under Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, indicating their continued faithful service to the temple throughout and after the exile. Giddel's lineage represents the restoration of temple worship and the dedication of those who maintained Israel's religious life during and beyond the period of captivity.
Biography
Giddel 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 Giddel are counted among the Nethinim. This suggests that Giddel'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 | גִּדֵּל |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)