Lexical Summary Betsay: Gain, profit, unjust gain Original Word: בֵּצַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bezai Perhaps the same as Bcay; Betsai, the name of two Israelites -- Bezai. see HEBREW Bcay NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Isr. name NASB Translation Bezai (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּצָ֑י proper name, masculine Nehemiah 10:19 one of the chiefs of the people; Ezra 2:17; Nehemiah 7:23 ׳בְּנֵי ב i.e. a family. בצל (strip, strip off, Ethiopic Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Ezra 2:17; Nehemiah 7:23; Nehemiah 10:18 Historical Background בֵּצַי (Bezai) enters the record in the era following the Babylonian exile, when the Persian decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1–4) opened the door for Judean exiles to return and rebuild the temple. The genealogical lists in Ezra and Nehemiah catalog the families who responded. These registers were indispensable for confirming both ancestral land rights (Leviticus 25:23–34) and eligibility for temple service (Ezra 2:62). The inclusion of Bezai among the returnees testifies to the family’s preservation through captivity and to its determination to reclaim covenant identity in the land of promise. Genealogical Significance In Ezra 2:17 the figure given is “323”; Nehemiah 7:23 records “324.” The slight variation underscores the mutually independent sources Ezra and Nehemiah employed, while the nearly identical totals confirm the reliability of both lists. Small though the family may have been, its presence illustrates how even lesser-known clans were counted as vital to the covenant community. Scripture’s meticulous recording of their number echoes the divine assurance, “I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob” (Micah 2:12). Role in the Return and Rebuilding As a lay family, the descendants of Bezai likely contributed manual labor, agricultural skills, and financial offerings for the temple project (Ezra 2:68–69). Their resettlement helped repopulate Judah’s towns, restoring both the economy and the daily rhythm of worship centered on Jerusalem. The family’s persistence through hardship models the steady obedience required for long-term kingdom work (Galatians 6:9). Covenant Renewal Nehemiah 10 details the public oath whereby leaders and families pledged to observe Torah, safeguard Sabbath, and support temple ministry. Verse 18 names “Bezai” among the signatories. This indicates that a representative of the clan—very likely its patriarch—joined the covenant assembly. Their signature binds them to “bring the firstfruits of our ground and the first of every fruit tree year by year to the house of the Lord” (Nehemiah 10:35). Thus the family not only returned physically but also recommitted spiritually, aligning personal resources with corporate worship. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. God cherishes obscure faithfulness. Though Bezai never headlines a narrative, the family’s obedience is chronicled for posterity, exemplifying the principle that “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). Lessons for Believers Today • Every believer, regardless of prominence, has a part in God’s redemptive account (1 Corinthians 12:14–26). In Scripture’s economy no name is trivial. Bezai’s brief appearances affirm that God records, remembers, and rewards the steadfast contributions of ordinary families to His extraordinary plan. Forms and Transliterations בֵּצָֽי׃ בֵצָ֔י בצי בצי׃ bê·ṣāy ḇê·ṣāy bêṣāy ḇêṣāy beTzai veTzaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:17 HEB: בְּנֵ֣י בֵצָ֔י שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת NAS: the sons of Bezai, 323; KJV: The children of Bezai, three hundred INT: the children of Bezai three hundred Nehemiah 7:23 Nehemiah 10:18 3 Occurrences |
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I. 2; Arabic 
, apparently denominative)