Lexical Summary Bilshan: Bilshan Original Word: בִּלְשָׁן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bilshan Of uncertain derivation; Bilshan, an Israelite -- Bilshan. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition perhaps "inquirer," an Isr. NASB Translation Bilshan (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּלְשָׁן proper name, masculine (= inquirer? Late Hebrew & Aramaic בלשׁ; compare below בן) an Israelite who returned with Zerubbabel Ezra 2:2 = Nehemiah 7:7. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrences Bilshan is named twice in the Old Testament: Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7. Both verses record him among the leaders who accompanied Zerubbabel and Jeshua when the exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem after the decree of Cyrus. Ezra 2:2 lists him: “…Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah…,” while Nehemiah 7:7 repeats his inclusion within the leadership roster. Historical Context The first return from exile (circa 538 B.C.) marked a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. Judah had spent seventy years in Babylonian captivity, yet the prophetic promise of restoration (Jeremiah 29:10) was fulfilled when Cyrus issued his edict (Ezra 1:1–4). Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Jeshua the high priest led approximately fifty thousand people back to Judah to rebuild the temple (Ezra 2:64–65). Bilshan appears in the lists of twelve prominent men who supervised this migration. His placement alongside figures such as Nehemiah, Mordecai, and Bigvai identifies him as part of the ruling or administrative cadre responsible for organizing the journey and the initial resettlement. Role Among the Returnees Although Scripture gives no further personal narrative, Bilshan’s presence in both Ezra and Nehemiah emphasizes continuity between the first wave of returnees and later generations. The lists function as legal documents that authenticated land claims and priestly lineage (Ezra 2:59–63). Bilshan’s inclusion therefore signals that his family line restored its inheritance in Judah and likely contributed manpower, resources, and organizational skill to temple reconstruction and city restoration. His name’s repetition also underscores the unity of purpose among leaders who spanned several decades of rebuilding work. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Faithfulness: Bilshan stands as a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness in bringing His people home. Each name in the return lists witnesses to the reliability of divine promises (Isaiah 44:28). Lessons for Today • Faithful service is remembered by God even when Scripture records only a name. Associated Passages Ezra 1:5–6 – Spiritual stirring for the journey Haggai 2:4–9 – Encouragement to the returnees Zechariah 4:6–10 – The temple completed “not by might nor by power” Hebrews 6:10 – God’s remembrance of ministering saints Forms and Transliterations בִּלְשָׁ֛ן בלשן bil·šān bilšān bilShanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:2 HEB: רְֽעֵלָיָ֜ה מָרְדֳּכַ֥י בִּלְשָׁ֛ן מִסְפָּ֥ר בִּגְוַ֖י NAS: Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, KJV: Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, INT: Reelaiah Mordecai Bilshan Mispar Bigvai Nehemiah 7:7 2 Occurrences |
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