Reaiah רְאָיָה
Ancestor of temple servants who returned from Babylonian exile
Who is Reaiah in the Bible?
Reaiah was an ancestor of temple servants who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile, as recorded in Ezra 2:47 and Nehemiah 7:50. His descendants were among the Nethinim, a group of temple servants assigned to assist the Levites in maintaining and serving the temple. These temple servants, whose lineage traced back to the Gibeonites appointed by Joshua to serve in the tabernacle, played a crucial role in rebuilding the temple and restoring Jewish worship practices after the exile. The inclusion of Reaiah in the lists of returnees demonstrates the vital importance of temple servants in the restoration of Israel's religious life and community identity.
Biography
Reaiah is mentioned in the lists of people who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile (Ezr.2.47; Neh.7.50). He was an ancestor of a group of temple servants, also known as the Nethinim, who were assigned to assist the Levites in the maintenance and service of the temple. The Nethinim were descendants of the Gibeonites who had been appointed by Joshua to serve in the tabernacle (Jos.9.27). Reaiah's descendants were among the temple servants who returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the temple and restore worship practices. The mention of Reaiah in these lists highlights the importance of the temple servants in the restoration of Jewish worship after the exile.
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 7:50
"the descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda,"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | רְאָיָה |