Sherebiah שֵׁרֵֽבְיָה
Levite who assisted Ezra and Nehemiah
Who is Sherebiah in the Bible?
Sherebiah was a prominent Levite who served alongside Ezra and Nehemiah during the restoration of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. First appearing in Ezra 8:18, he was sent by the chief men at Casiphia to assist Ezra in service at the house of God, and in Ezra 8:24 he was entrusted as one of twelve leaders to safeguard the temple offerings and vessels during the journey to Jerusalem. Later, in Nehemiah 8:7, Sherebiah is named among the Levites who helped the people understand the Law as Ezra read it publicly, explaining its meaning to ensure comprehension. He also appears in Nehemiah 9:4-5 as one of the Levites leading the people in confession and worship. Sherebiah's significance lies in his role as a spiritual leader who bridged the work of both Ezra and Nehemiah, helping to restore not only the physical temple but also the people's understanding of and commitment to God's Law.
Biography
Sherebiah was a prominent Levite who actively assisted Ezra and Nehemiah in their efforts to restore and rebuild the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. In Ezr.8.18, he is mentioned as one of the Levites sent to Ezra by the chief men at Casiphia to serve in the house of God. Later, in Ezr.8.24, Sherebiah is listed among the twelve leaders of the priests entrusted with the task of safeguarding the offerings and vessels for the temple during the journey to Jerusalem.
In Neh.8.7, Sherebiah is named as one of the Levites who helped the people understand the Law as Ezra read it aloud. He, along with other Levites, explained the meaning of the Law to the people, ensuring their comprehension. Furthermore, in Neh.9.4-5, Sherebiah is mentioned among the Levites who led the people in confession and worship during the ceremony of repentance and covenant renewal.
These references highlight Sherebiah's significant role as a Levitical leader and his involvement in the religious and social restoration of the Jewish community after the exile. He contributed to the teaching of the Law, the proper handling of sacred offerings, and the spiritual guidance of the people.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 2 verses
- Ezra 8:18
"And since the gracious hand of our God was upon us, they brought us Sherebiah—a man of insight from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel—along with his sons and brothers, 18 men;"
Study Ezra → - Ezra 8:24
"Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests, together with Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers,"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 3 verses
- Nehemiah 8:7
"The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 9:4
"And the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani—stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 9:5
"Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise."
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֵׁרֵֽבְיָה |
Sherebiah
ref>; the Septuagint omits), and had charge, along with eleven others, of the silver and gold and vessels for the Temple (Ezr 8:24, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus Saraia, Lucian, Sarabias). He aided in the exposition of the Law (Ne 8:7), was among those who made public confession (Ne 9:4) and sealed the covenant (Ne 10:12 (13)). His name also appears in Ne 12:8,24. In every passage listed above except 10:12 (13), Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus read Sarabia, Lucian, Sarabias. In 1 Esdras 8:47 the name appears as "Asebebia," the Revised Version (British and American) "Asebebias"; in 1 Esdras 8:54, "Esebrias," the Revised Version (British and American) "Eserebias," and 1 Esdras 9:48, "Sarabias." Many of the companion-names on the lists are plainly ethnic (Cheyne).
Horace J. Wolf