Lexical Summary Magbish: Magbish Original Word: מַגְבִּישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Magbish From the same as gabiysh; stiffening; Magbish, an Israelite, or a place in Palestine -- Magbish. see HEBREW gabiysh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as gabish Definition an Isr. family NASB Translation Magbish (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַגְבִּישׁ proper name, masculine Ezra 2:30 ׳בְּנֵי מ ᵐ5 Μαγεβως, etc., a family of returning exiles, omit "" Nehemiah 7:33, but ᵐ5 A א Μαγεβως, etc., ᵐ5L Μαγεβεις; compare Sm Listen 15. גִּבְּתוֺן see below נבב. Topical Lexicon Name and General Description Magbish is the name of a post-exilic Judean locality whose inhabitants are listed among the first returnees from Babylon under Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:30). Although mentioned only once in Scripture, the town serves as a witness to God’s covenant faithfulness in restoring His people to the land. Biblical Occurrence and Textual Detail Ezra 2:30 records: “the men of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six”. These 156 men joined the broader company of forty-two thousand plus returnees identified in Ezra 2:64. The absence of Magbish from the parallel census in Nehemiah 7 has led some commentators to suggest that the settlement may have been absorbed into another district by Nehemiah’s time, or that the population had relocated or diminished. Historical Setting 1. Post-Exilic Context: The decree of Cyrus in 538 BC (Ezra 1:1-4) opened the way for Judean exiles to rebuild the Temple. Magbish is numbered among villages that responded promptly, implying a community with a strong commitment to worship at Jerusalem. Geographical Considerations The precise location of Magbish remains uncertain. Most scholars place it in the region of Benjamin or northern Judah, not far from Jerusalem, on the grounds that neighboring towns in Ezra 2 cluster in that vicinity. If correct, Magbish would have been close enough for its residents to participate regularly in Temple service yet far enough to require intentional travel—highlighting their dedication. Covenant Implications God had promised through prophets such as Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10-14) and Isaiah (Isaiah 44:28) that He would restore a remnant. The citizens of Magbish embody that fulfilled word. Their inclusion in Ezra’s list affirms: Ministry Significance and Contemporary Application 1. Faithful Remnant: Magbish reminds modern believers that God notes and numbers even seemingly obscure servants who heed His call (Luke 12:6-7). Related Old Testament Themes • Lists of Returnees: Ezra 2; Nehemiah 7 Conclusion Though Magbish receives only a brief mention, its inhabitants’ decision to return contributes to the unfolding account of redemption, demonstrating that every obedient community—no matter how small—finds a place in God’s recorded history and advances His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations מַגְבִּ֔ישׁ מגביש maḡ·bîš maḡbîš magBishLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:30 HEB: בְּנֵ֣י מַגְבִּ֔ישׁ מֵאָ֖ה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים NAS: the sons of Magbish, 156; KJV: The children of Magbish, an hundred INT: the children of Magbish an hundred fifty 1 Occurrence |
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