Topical Encyclopedia Bebai is a biblical figure and family name mentioned in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history. The name Bebai appears in the genealogical and historical records of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which detail the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple and the city walls.Genealogy and Return from Exile The family of Bebai is first mentioned in the book of Ezra as part of the group of exiles who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel. In Ezra 2:11, it is recorded: "the descendants of Bebai, 623." This enumeration indicates that the family of Bebai was a significant group among the returning exiles, contributing to the restoration of the Jewish community in their ancestral homeland. The book of Nehemiah also references the family of Bebai in a similar context. Nehemiah 7:16 states: "the descendants of Bebai, 628." This slight numerical discrepancy between the accounts in Ezra and Nehemiah is not uncommon in ancient records and may reflect different stages of the return or variations in record-keeping. Covenant Renewal The family of Bebai is further noted for its participation in the covenant renewal ceremony led by Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 10:15, the name Bebai appears among those who sealed the covenant, committing themselves to follow the Law of God as given through Moses. This act of sealing the covenant was a public declaration of faith and dedication to the observance of God's commandments, reflecting the spiritual renewal and reform that characterized this period. Intermarriage and Reform The narrative of Ezra also highlights the issue of intermarriage with foreign women, which was a significant concern for the returning exiles striving to maintain their distinct identity and religious purity. Ezra 10:28 lists "from the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai" among those who had taken foreign wives. This acknowledgment is part of a broader effort led by Ezra to address and rectify the situation, calling the people to repentance and adherence to the Mosaic Law. Significance The family of Bebai, like many others mentioned in the post-exilic records, represents the continuity of the Israelite community and their commitment to reestablishing their religious and cultural identity after the Babylonian exile. Their inclusion in the genealogical and covenantal records underscores the importance of each family in the collective effort to restore the nation and uphold the covenant with God. The accounts of Bebai and other families in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah serve as a testament to the faithfulness and resilience of the Jewish people during a pivotal moment in their history, as they sought to rebuild their lives and their relationship with God in the land of their forefathers. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary BebaiSmith's Bible Dictionary Bebai(fatherly).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEBAIbe'-ba-i, beb'-a-i (bebhay; Septuagint Bebai, "fatherly"): Strong's Hebrew 893. Bebay -- an Israelite... 892, 893. Bebay. 894 . an Israelite. Transliteration: Bebay Phonetic Spelling: (bay-bah'ee) Short Definition: Bebai. ... NASB Word Usage Bebai (6). Bebai. ... /hebrew/893.htm - 5k Thesaurus Bebai (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEBAI. be'-ba-i, beb'-ai (bebhay ... 390-405 AD). Multi-Version Concordance Bebai (3 Occurrences). Ezra 8:11 ... /b/bebai.htm - 8k Be'bai (5 Occurrences) Twenty-eight (13 Occurrences) Athlai (1 Occurrence) Eight (81 Occurrences) Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences) Hananiah (28 Occurrences) Males (51 Occurrences) 628 (1 Occurrence) 623 (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Bebai (3 Occurrences)Ezra 8:11 Ezra 10:28 Nehemiah 10:15 Subtopics Bebai: The Name of Three Jews Whose Descendants Came from the Exile Related Terms |
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