1153. Besay

Lexical Summary

Besay: Besai

Original Word: בְּסַר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Bcay
Pronunciation: beh-SAI
Phonetic Spelling: (bes-ah'-ee)
KJV: Besai
NASB: Besai
Word Origin: [from H947 (בּוּס - squirming)]

1. domineering
2. Besai, one of the Nethinim

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Besai

From buwc; domineering; Besai, one of the Nethinim -- Besai.

see HEBREW buwc

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
one of the Nethinim
NASB Translation
Besai (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בֵּסַי proper name, masculine head of a family of Nethinim, בְּנֵיבֵֿסַי Nehemiah 7:52 = בֵֿסָ֑י׳ב Ezra 2:49.

בסר (be too early, Arabic , compare Aramaic בְּסִירָה half-ripe).

Topical Lexicon

Identification and Placement in Scripture

בְּסַר (Strong’s Hebrew 1153, transliterated “Besar”) names a family group recorded twice—in Ezra 2:49 and Nehemiah 7:52—among the נְתִינִים (Nethinim), the temple servants who returned from exile under Zerubbabel. In the Berean Standard Bible Ezra 2:49 reads, “the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah, and the descendants of Besai,” while Nehemiah 7:52 parallels, “the descendants of Besai.” The two texts form a single snapshot of this clan’s re-entry into Judean life after the Babylonian captivity.

Historical Setting

The appearance of Besar’s descendants occurs in the context of the first wave of exiles (circa 538 BC) who left Babylon following Cyrus’s decree (Ezra 1:1–4). Zerubbabel and Jeshua led roughly fifty thousand people back to a devastated Jerusalem to rebuild the altar, re-establish sacrificial worship, and eventually reconstruct the temple. The Nethinim—once appointed by David and the leaders (Ezra 8:20)—were again needed to perform the essential but humble tasks for which the Levites relied on them.

Role among the Returning Exiles

1. Support of Priesthood: The Nethinim handled water, wood, cleaning, security, and other logistical concerns (compare Joshua 9:27; 1 Chronicles 9:2). The Besar family therefore ensured continuity in daily temple operations.
2. Covenant Identity: Listing their name in the register affirmed their legitimacy within the covenant community. Genealogical precision protected Israel from syncretism (Ezra 2:59–63) and preserved tribal inheritance lines.
3. Participation in Temple Reconstruction: Though Scripture does not single out their deeds, their presence implies labor on the Second Temple (Ezra 3:8–10) and later cooperation in Nehemiah’s reforms (Nehemiah 10:28; 11:3). The descendants of Besar thus contributed—quietly but indispensably—to worship renewal.

Theological Significance

• Divine Faithfulness Remembered: Every family named in Ezra and Nehemiah demonstrates God’s commitment to a remnant. Even the smallest clan testifies that “His mercies never fail” (Lamentations 3:22).
• Dignity of Service: The Besar lineage illustrates how Scripture values unseen ministry. By cataloguing these workers, the text places servanthood on par with more visible leadership roles (cf. Matthew 23:11).
• Restoration Hope: Their successful return fulfills prophetic promises of regathering (Isaiah 43:5–6; Jeremiah 29:10–14), foreshadowing the ultimate restoration in Christ of all who trust Him.

Lessons for Contemporary Ministry

1. God notices faithfulness in hidden tasks. Modern believers who sweep floors, prepare communion, or maintain facilities stand in the Besar tradition.
2. Accurate records and accountability in church governance mirror the post-exilic practice of listing those entrusted with sacred duties.
3. Corporate worship thrives when every member, regardless of prominence, shoulders responsibility (1 Corinthians 12:22–25).
4. Post-exilic obedience models perseverance for congregations rebuilding after crisis—be it persecution, displacement, or moral failure.

Summary

Though confined to two verses, בְּסַר sheds light on the indispensable service network that upheld restored worship in Jerusalem. The descendants of Besar embody humble obedience, covenant identity, and the quietly powerful truth that God works through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes.

Forms and Transliterations

בֵסַ֥י בֵסָֽי׃ בסי בסי׃ ḇê·say ḇê·sāy ḇêsay ḇêsāy veSai

Englishman's Concordance

Ezra 2:49
HEB: פָסֵ֖חַ בְּנֵ֥י בֵסָֽי׃
NAS: of Paseah, the sons of Besai,
KJV: of Paseah, the children of Besai,
INT: of Paseah the sons of Besai

Nehemiah 7:52
HEB: בְּנֵי־ בֵסַ֥י בְּנֵי־ מְעוּנִ֖ים
NAS: the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim,
KJV: The children of Besai, the children
INT: the sons of Besai the sons of Meunim

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1153
2 Occurrences

ḇê·sāy — 2 Occ.