Lexical Summary Bilgay: Bilgai Original Word: בִּלְגַּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bilgai From balag; desistant; Bilgai, an Israelite -- Bilgai. see HEBREW balag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom balag Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Bilgai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּלְגַּי proper name, masculine (id.) priest with Nehemiah Nehemiah 10:9. Topical Lexicon Name and Identity Bilgai is listed among the post-exilic priests who affixed their seals to the renewal covenant in Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s leadership. His inclusion places him within the core of spiritual leadership that guided the restored community after the Babylonian captivity. Biblical Occurrence Nehemiah 10:8 records his name: “Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah; these were the priests.” (Berean Standard Bible) Although the text supplies no additional personal details, the single mention is sufficient to associate him with the solemn pledge recorded in Nehemiah 10. Historical Context 1. The covenant ceremony took place shortly after the completion of Jerusalem’s wall (Nehemiah 6) and the corporate reading of the Law (Nehemiah 8). Priestly Lineage and Division The form “Bilgah” appears elsewhere (1 Chronicles 24:14; Nehemiah 12:7). In 1 Chronicles the name designates the twenty-third priestly division organized by King David. Many scholars treat Bilgai as a later representative or descendant of that division, underscoring continuity between pre-exilic and post-exilic priestly service. Ministry Significance • Representative Seal: By sealing the covenant, Bilgai affirmed that the priesthood would model obedience and teach the Law (cf. Malachi 2:5-7). Lessons for Today 1. Spiritual leaders must lead by example, willingly binding themselves to God’s revealed Word. See Also Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 12:7; 1 Chronicles 24:14; Malachi 2:5-7 Forms and Transliterations בִלְגַּ֖י בלגי ḇil·gay ḇilgay vilGaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 10:8 HEB: מַֽעַזְיָ֥ה בִלְגַּ֖י שְׁמַֽעְיָ֑ה אֵ֖לֶּה NAS: Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah. These KJV: Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: INT: Maaziah Bilgai Shemaiah These 1 Occurrence |