Lexical Summary Bilgah: Bilgah Original Word: בִּלְגַה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bilgah From balag; desistance; Bilgah, the name of two Israelites -- Bilgah. see HEBREW balag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom balag Definition "cheerfulness," two Isr. NASB Translation Bilgah (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּלְגָּה proper name, masculine (cheerfulness) — 1 priest of 15th course (David's time) 1 Chronicles 24:14. 2 priest that went up with Zerubbabel Nehemiah 12:5,18. Topical Lexicon Overview Bilgah is the name of one of the twenty-four priestly courses established in the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 24). As the fifteenth division, the house of Bilgah represents both an individual priestly ancestor and the family line that ministered in the Temple according to an organized annual rotation. Scripture mentions the course three times: 1 Chronicles 24:14, Nehemiah 12:5, and Nehemiah 12:18. Priestly Division in the Time of David When David, together with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, organized the priesthood, “the fifteenth [lot] fell to Bilgah” (1 Chronicles 24:14). By casting lots, the order of service was fixed so that each division ministered for one week, twice yearly, with all courses serving together at the great pilgrimage festivals. This structure ensured orderly worship and highlighted God’s concern for both equity and continuity in priestly duty. Bilgah, like the other courses, would begin and end its service on the Sabbath (2 Kings 11:5; Luke 1:8-9 shows the same pattern still observed in the New Testament era). Duties and Sphere of Service Members of the Bilgah course shared fully in the morning and evening sacrifices, the burning of incense, the blessing of the people (Numbers 6:22-27), and oversight of the sacred vessels. Their week of ministry symbolized intercession on behalf of Israel and prefigured the perfect priesthood of the Messiah, who “always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Because each priestly house had its own chamber within the Temple complex, Bilgah likely possessed a designated cell for vestments and instruments, underscoring the ordered sanctity of worship. Genealogical Continuity after the Exile After the Babylonian captivity, descendants of Bilgah returned with Zerubbabel. Nehemiah records them among the priestly heads who resettled Jerusalem: “Mijamin, Maadiah, and Bilgah” (Nehemiah 12:5). A later listing adds, “of Bilgah, Shammua” (Nehemiah 12:18). Their presence affirms God’s preservation of the priestly line despite national judgment and exile. The same families who once served Solomon’s Temple were entrusted with the rebuilt Second Temple, illustrating the steadfastness of the Lord’s covenant purposes. Liturgical Calendar Placement Calculations based on the post-exilic lunar calendar place Bilgah’s first yearly term in the late spring (around the second half of Iyyar) and its second term six months later in the early autumn (Heshvan). If these weeks overlapped with the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Tabernacles, all twenty-four divisions served concurrently, yet Bilgah retained specific assignments within the larger priestly body. Historical and Rabbinic Notes Rabbinic tradition (Mishnah, Sukkah 5:4) comments that Bilgah’s ring and locker were once sealed as a disciplinary measure—possibly reflecting late Second-Temple tensions. Whatever the historical accuracy of that anecdote, Scripture gives no hint of permanent disgrace; rather, the house of Bilgah is honored equally among the courses. The rabbinic account serves to remind later generations of the high standards God requires of His ministers. Christological Reflections The ordered service of Bilgah foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice fulfilled the sacrificial system (Hebrews 10:11-14). The cyclical nature of Bilgah’s ministry pointed forward to the need for a Priest whose intercession never ceases and whose atonement never needs repetition. Practical Applications for Believers 1. Faithful Routine: Just as Bilgah’s priests served whether their week was prominent or obscure, believers are called to steady faithfulness in ordinary duties (Colossians 3:23-24). Select References Forms and Transliterations בִּלְגָּֽה׃ בלגה׃ לְבִלְגָּ֣ה לְבִלְגָּה֙ לבלגה bil·gāh bilGah bilgāh lə·ḇil·gāh ləḇilgāh levilGahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 24:14 HEB: לְבִלְגָּה֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ר NAS: the fifteenth for Bilgah, the sixteenth KJV: The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth INT: Bilgah fif teen Nehemiah 12:5 Nehemiah 12:18 3 Occurrences |
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