Shobai שֹׁבָ֑י
Ancestor of a family of gatekeepers who returned from exile.
Who is Shobai in the Bible?
Shobai was the ancestor of a family of gatekeepers who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile, as recorded in Ezra 2:42 and Nehemiah 7:45. His descendants held a hereditary role as temple gatekeepers, responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple and maintaining order within its precincts. The listing of Shobai's family among the returning exiles demonstrates the importance of these gatekeeping duties in the restored temple community. Their return was part of the broader restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian captivity, signifying the continuity of temple service through family lineage.
Biography
Shobai is mentioned in Ezr.2.42 and Neh.7.45 as the ancestor of a family of gatekeepers who were among the exiles that returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. The gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple and maintaining order within its precincts. Shobai's descendants are listed among the gatekeepers who returned to Jerusalem, indicating that they had a hereditary role in serving at the temple. The return of Shobai's family, along with other exiles, was part of the restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian captivity.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:42
"The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 139 in all."
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Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:45
"The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 138 in all."
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֹׁבָ֑י |