Lexical Summary Sotay: "One who goes astray" or "deviant." Original Word: סוֹטַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sotai From suwt; roving; Sotai, one of the Nethinim -- Sotai. see HEBREW suwt NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Sotai (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs סוֺטַי, סֹטַיַ proper name, masculine; בְּנֵיסֹֿטַי among returned captives Ezra 2:55 = בְּנֵי סוֺטַי Nehemiah 7:57 ᵐ5 Σατει, Σουτει, ᵐ5L Σωται. Topical Lexicon Name and Identification Sotai designates a family group counted among the Nethinim—the hereditary temple servants attached to the Levitical ministry. Though their precise ancestry is not supplied, their inclusion within the register of returnees ties them to the covenant people and to the restoration of worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Biblical Occurrences Ezra 2:55 – “The descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, and the descendants of Peruda.” Nehemiah 7:57 repeats their listing when Nehemiah updates the enrollment of the same returnees. Historical Context The two references arise in parallel census lists of exiles who returned with Zerubbabel (circa 538–516 BC). These lists function as an official record of those legitimately connected to temple service. Their preservation enables Nehemiah, nearly a century later, to confirm continuity of personnel and to re-establish orderly worship. Role Among the Nethinim 1. Temple Support: The Nethinim performed necessary but often humble tasks—water-drawing, wood-cutting, maintenance, and other logistical duties—freeing Levites to focus on sacrificial and instructional responsibilities (compare 1 Chronicles 9:2; Ezra 8:20). Spiritual Themes and Theological Significance • Preservation of Servants: The survival of even minor families like Sotai testifies to the divine commitment to remember every laborer in His house (Malachi 3:16-17). Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Visibility is secondary to faithfulness. Sotai’s work was largely unrecorded, yet their names endure because their service mattered to God. Related Scriptures Joshua 9 (origin of temple servants), 1 Chronicles 9:2, Ezra 7:7, Ezra 8:20, Nehemiah 10:28-29, Matthew 20:26-28, Colossians 3:23-24. Forms and Transliterations סֹטַ֥י סוֹטַ֥י סוטי סטי sō·ṭay sō·w·ṭay soTai sōṭay sōwṭayLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:55 HEB: שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה בְּנֵי־ סֹטַ֥י בְּנֵי־ הַסֹּפֶ֖רֶת NAS: the sons of Sotai, the sons KJV: the children of Sotai, the children INT: of Solomon's the sons of Sotai the sons of Hassophereth Nehemiah 7:57 2 Occurrences |
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