Lexical Summary Bebay: Bebai Original Word: בֵּבַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bebai Probably of foreign origin; Bebai, an Israelite -- Bebai. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably of foreign origin Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Bebai (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּבַי proper name, masculine a chief of returning exiles בֵּכָ֑י Nehemiah 10:16; בְּנֵי בֵבַי Ezra 8:11; בֶּןבֵּֿבָ֑י Ezra 8:11; בְּנֵי בֵבָ֑י Ezra 2:11; Ezra 10:28; Nehemiah 7:16. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences1. Ezra 2:11 – “the sons of Bebai, 623.” (The census of Ezra 2 is repeated in Nehemiah 7, raising the total mention to six.) Post-Exilic Clan Identity Bebai designates both a patriarch and a sizable clan that re-emerged from Babylonian captivity. Listed alongside the more famous houses of Parosh, Pahath-Moab, and others, the family is consistently counted among the returning remnant. Their appearance in each of the major post-exilic records underscores a continuous presence in Judah’s restoration movement from the first caravan under Zerubbabel to the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah. Return under Zerubbabel Ezra 2:11 and Nehemiah 7:16 enumerate the clan twice: 623 in the earlier list and 628 in the later. Such minor numerical variation likely reflects natural population change or copyist rounding, yet both figures affirm a robust family willing to uproot from Babylon for the arduous journey home. Their inclusion testifies to corporate faith that Yahweh would “restore the fortunes of Zion” (Psalm 126:1). Leadership in Ezra’s Caravan Some eighty years later, Zechariah—“son of Bebai”—leads twenty-eight additional men back to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:11). His placement in Ezra’s carefully organized procession indicates recognized leadership credentials and suggests that the clan maintained distinct identity and spiritual vitality through successive generations of exile. Confrontation and Repentance Regarding Foreign Marriages Ezra 10:28 records four men of Bebai who had taken foreign wives. Rather than concealing the failure, Scripture lists the offenders by name. This public acknowledgment, coupled with their inclusion in the covenantal remedy, demonstrates both the gravity of covenant violation and the possibility of restoration when sin is confessed and addressed according to the Law (Ezra 10:3). Covenant Renewal with Nehemiah Nehemiah 10:15 shows Bebai among the signatories of the renewed covenant. By aligning themselves with Nehemiah’s reforms—Sabbath observance, temple support, and separation from pagan practices—the clan illustrates generational growth: they move from census figures to active covenant partners responsible for nurturing the reconstituted community of faith. Historical and Ministry Significance Family Continuity The recurrent naming of Bebai across decades exemplifies God’s preservation of covenant families. Genealogies become more than lists; they certify lineage for temple service, land allotment, and messianic hope. They also motivate modern ministry to safeguard spiritual legacy within households. Model of Spiritual Leadership Zechariah’s leadership in Ezra 8 positions the Bebai family as proactive supporters of the Torah revival. They supply manpower for temple personnel and demonstrate willingness to risk a second exodus across treacherous terrain. Ministry leaders today can glean courage to mobilize people and resources for God-centered initiatives despite uncertainty. Call to Corporate Repentance The naming of offenders in Ezra 10:28 teaches that holiness is communal. Restoration required public agreement with divine standards, a principle echoed in church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17) and corporate confession (1 John 1:9). The clan’s willingness to correct sin affirms genuine covenant fidelity. Participation in Covenant Renewal Signing Nehemiah’s covenant speaks to intentional, documented commitment to God’s Word. The Bebai clan bound themselves with an oath, pledging financial support for temple worship and adherence to Mosaic law. Local congregations can emulate this by covenant membership, accountable stewardship, and explicit affirmation of biblical authority. Theological Insights 1. Remnant Fidelity – Bebai’s account contributes to the prophetic theme that a faithful remnant will return (Isaiah 10:21-22). Practical Applications • Encourage families to trace and treasure spiritual heritage. Bebai, though a minor name by numerical count, thus embodies major themes of restoration, repentance, and covenant faithfulness, offering enduring lessons for God’s people in every generation. Forms and Transliterations בֵּבָ֑י בֵּבָֽי׃ בֵבַ֔י בֵבָ֔י בבי בבי׃ bê·ḇāy ḇê·ḇay ḇê·ḇāy bêḇāy ḇêḇay ḇêḇāy beVai veVaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:11 HEB: בְּנֵ֣י בֵבָ֔י שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת NAS: the sons of Bebai, 623; KJV: The children of Bebai, six hundred INT: the children of Bebai six hundred Ezra 8:11 Ezra 8:11 Ezra 10:28 Nehemiah 7:16 Nehemiah 10:15 6 Occurrences |
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