Sotai סוֹטַי
Ancestor of a family of Solomon's servants who returned from exile.
Who is Sotai in the Bible?
Sotai was the ancestor of a family of Solomon's servants who returned from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem around 538 BC. His descendants are listed in Ezra 2:55 and Nehemiah 7:57 among those who came back under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the high priest Jeshua, following the decree of Persian king Cyrus. Solomon's servants were a designated group of workers, possibly craftsmen or laborers, who served the king and his household. The inclusion of Sotai's family in the official genealogies of returning exiles underscores the biblical emphasis on preserving family lineages and the restoration of all segments of the Jewish community after the Babylonian captivity.
Biography
Sotai is mentioned in Ezr.2.55 and Neh.7.57 as the ancestor of a family of Solomon's servants who were among the exiles that returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. Solomon's servants were a group of people who were assigned to work for King Solomon and his descendants, possibly as craftsmen, laborers, or officials.
The descendants of Sotai are listed among the exiles who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Jeshua, the high priest. This return took place around 538 BC, after the Persian king Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
The mention of Sotai and his descendants in the lists of returning exiles highlights the importance of maintaining family records and genealogies among the Israelites, even during the Babylonian captivity. It also shows that not only the prominent families but also the servants and workers were included in the return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Jewish community.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:55
"The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Hassophereth, the descendants of Peruda,"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:57
"The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, the descendants of Perida,"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | סוֹטַי |