Shabbethai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history. He is recognized as a Levite who played a significant role during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, particularly in the religious and communal reforms that took place after the return from Babylonian exile.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 10:15 · Shabbethai is mentioned in the context of the assembly that dealt with the issue of intermarriage among the Israelites. The verse states: "Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them." This indicates that Shabbethai was involved in the discussions and decisions regarding the adherence to the Law, particularly concerning the separation from foreign wives, which was a significant issue for the returning exiles seeking to restore their covenantal identity.

2. Nehemiah 8:7 · In this passage, Shabbethai is listed among the Levites who helped the people understand the Law as it was being read by Ezra. The verse reads: "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." This highlights Shabbethai's role as an educator and interpreter of the Law, emphasizing the importance of teaching and understanding God's commandments for the spiritual renewal of the community.

3. Nehemiah 11:16 · Shabbethai is again mentioned as one of the leaders among the Levites. The verse states: "Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the leaders of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God." This indicates his responsibility in overseeing the practical and logistical aspects of the temple service, ensuring that the worship and sacrifices were conducted according to the prescribed order.

Role and Significance:

Shabbethai's involvement in the religious reforms and his leadership among the Levites underscore his commitment to the restoration of proper worship and adherence to the Law. As a Levite, he was part of the tribe set apart for religious duties, and his actions reflect the broader efforts to reestablish the spiritual foundations of the Israelite community after the exile.

His participation in the teaching of the Law and the administration of temple duties highlights the critical role of the Levites in guiding the people back to a faithful relationship with God. Shabbethai's contributions were integral to the reformation efforts led by Ezra and Nehemiah, which sought to renew the covenant and ensure the community's faithfulness to God's commandments.

In summary, Shabbethai is a notable figure in the post-exilic period, representing the dedication and service of the Levites in the spiritual and communal life of Israel. His involvement in key reforms and his leadership in temple service illustrate the essential role of the Levites in maintaining the religious integrity and identity of the people of God.Shabbethai

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Shabbethai

(sabbatical) a Levite in the time of Ezra. (Ezra 10:15) It is apparently the same who with Jeshua and others instructed the people in the knowledge of the law. (Nehemiah 8:7) (B.C. 450.)

Sabbath-born, a Levite who assisted in expounding the law and investigating into the illegal marriages of the Jews (Ezra 10:15; Nehemiah 8:7; 11:16). SHABBETHAI

shab'-e-thi (shabbethay, "one born on the Sabbath"; Codex Vaticanus Sabathai; Codex Alexandrinus Kabbathai = "Sabbateus" of 1 Esdras 9:14): A Levite who opposed (?) Ezra's suggestion that the men who had married foreign wives put them aside (Ezra 10:15). Kuenen, however, renders the phrase `amedhu `al zo'th, of which Asahiel and Jahaziah are the subjects, to mean "stand over," "have charge of," rather than "stand against," "oppose" (Gesammelte Abhandlungen, 247); this would make Shabbethai, who was in accord with the two men mentioned above, an ally rather than an opponent of Ezra. We incline toward Kuenen's interpretation in view of the position attained by Shabbethai under Nehemiah-one he would have been unlikely to attain had he been hostile to Ezra. He is mentioned among those appointed to explain the Law (Nehemiah 8:7), and as one of the chiefs of the Levites who had the oversight of "the outward business of the house of God" (Nehemiah 11:16).

Horace J. Wolf

7678. Shabbethay -- a Levite
... 7677, 7678. Shabbethay. 7679 . a Levite. Transliteration: Shabbethay Phonetic
Spelling: (shab-beth-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Shabbethai. ... Shabbethai. ...
/hebrew/7678.htm - 6k

Reading the Law with Tears and Joy
... bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.7. Also
Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jemin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/reading the law with tears.htm

Shabbethai (3 Occurrences)
... 16). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHABBETHAI. shab ... 16). Horace J. Wolf.
Multi-Version Concordance Shabbethai (3 Occurrences). Ezra ...
/s/shabbethai.htm - 9k

Shab'bethai (3 Occurrences)
Shab'bethai. Shabbethai, Shab'bethai. Shabby . Multi-Version Concordance
Shab'bethai (3 Occurrences). Ezra 10:15 Only Jonathan the ...
/s/shab'bethai.htm - 7k

Jozabad (10 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites ...
/j/jozabad.htm - 11k

Jo'zabad (7 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites ...
/j/jo'zabad.htm - 8k

Sabbateus
... One of the three (or rather two, for "Levis" = Levite) "assessors" in the investigation
held concerning "foreign wives" (1 Esdras 9:14) = "Shabbethai the Levite ...
/s/sabbateus.htm - 6k

Helped (64 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood
up against this matter : and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. ...
/h/helped.htm - 26k

Kelita (3 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites ...
/k/kelita.htm - 7k

Keli'ta (3 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah,
Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, even the Levites ...
/k/keli'ta.htm - 7k

Outward (17 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 11:16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had
the oversight of the outward business of the house of God; (WEB KJV JPS ASV ...
/o/outward.htm - 13k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood
up against this matter : and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

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