Peruda פְּרוּדָא

Who is Peruda in the Bible?

Peruda, also known as Perida, was the ancestor of a family of Solomon's servants who returned to Judah from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:55, Nehemiah 7:57). These servants were likely descendants of Canaanites subjected to forced labor during Solomon's reign (1 Kings 9:20-21). The mention of Peruda's family among the returnees demonstrates that this group maintained their distinct identity and remained part of the Jewish community throughout the exile period. The slight variation in the name between Ezra and Nehemiah reflects differences in spelling or transcription practices of the time. Peruda's significance lies in showing how even non-Israelite servant families were integrated into the post-exilic Jewish restoration.