Lexical Summary Pachath Moab: Pit of Moab Original Word: פַחַת מוֹאָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pahath-moab From pachath and Mow'ab; pit of Moab; Pachath-Moab, an Israelite -- Pahath-moab. see HEBREW pachath see HEBREW Mow'ab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pachath and Moab Definition a postexilic name NASB Translation Pahath-moab (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַּ֫חַת מוֺאָב proper name, masculine post-exile name; — ׳מ ׳בֶּןפֿ Nehemiah 3:11 (Φααβ[θ]μωαβ, ᵐ5L Ερωμαθ), ׳בְּנֵיפֿ ׳מ Ezra 2:6 = Nehemiah 7:11; Ezra 8:4 (all Φααθμωαβ, etc.), Ezra 10:30; ׳מ ׳פ Nehemiah 10:15 (both Φααδ[θ]μωαβ, etc.). Topical Lexicon Overview Pahath-moab designates a family group within post-exilic Judah whose ancestor had been appointed as a provincial leader in the territory of Moab during the monarchic period. The clan’s history is preserved only in the restoration books, yet its repeated appearance signals a household that valued covenant faithfulness, public service, and sacrificial participation in God’s redemptive program after the Babylonian captivity. Occurrences in Scripture • Ezra 2:6; Nehemiah 7:11 – Listed among the first wave of returnees accompanying Zerubbabel, “the descendants of Pahath-moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab), 2,812” (Ezra 2:6) and later numbered at 2,818 in Nehemiah’s parallel census. Contributions to the Return from Exile The sizeable numbers in both census lists underscore the family’s resolve to abandon settled life in Babylon and re-embrace their inheritance in the Land. Such willingness entailed danger, financial sacrifice, and an uncertain future, yet it advanced prophetic fulfillment (Jeremiah 29:10-14) and affirmed the continuity of Israel’s tribal structure. Reformation and Purification Under Ezra During Ezra’s reform the clan again features prominently. Two hundred more volunteers bolster the priest-scribe’s entourage, indicating that Pahath-moab possessed leadership stature and spiritual sensitivity. When confronted with the sin of unlawful marriages (Ezra 10:30), clan members quickly confess and take corrective action. Their repentance illustrates the principle that true covenant identity is preserved not by ancestry alone but by obedience to revealed truth (Deuteronomy 7:3-6). Building the Wall Under Nehemiah In Nehemiah 3:11 a son of Pahath-moab takes his place on the wall. The family’s participation blends priestly, Levitical, and lay elements, showing that every stratum of society is summoned to rebuild what sin and exile have broken. The Tower of the Ovens, a strategic point in the western section of the wall, testifies to their courage to work where military vulnerability was high. Renewal of the Covenant Nehemiah 10 lists the heads of houses who affixed their seals to the new covenant. The inclusion of Pahath-moab signifies corporate ownership of the pledges to honor Scripture, guard Sabbath holiness, and support temple worship. Their signature highlights the unity of God’s people around shared commitments rather than ethnic or geographic origin. Theological Observations 1. Restoration Hope: The journey from exile to land mirrored the exodus pattern; Pahath-moab became an emblem of God’s ability to preserve a remnant. Practical Ministry Implications • Spiritual heritage should inspire, not replace, personal obedience. Pahath-moab, though a minor name in Scripture, exemplifies how a single family’s fidelity can echo across generations, furthering the purposes of God in history and edifying His people in every age. Forms and Transliterations מוֹאָ֑ב מוֹאָ֔ב מוֹאָ֖ב מוֹאָ֛ב מואב mō·w·’āḇ moAv mōw’āḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:6 HEB: בְּנֵֽי־ פַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב לִבְנֵ֥י יֵשׁ֖וּעַ NAS: the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons KJV: The children of Pahathmoab, of the children INT: the children of Pahathmoab of the children of Jeshua Ezra 8:4 Ezra 10:30 Nehemiah 3:11 Nehemiah 7:11 Nehemiah 10:14 6 Occurrences |
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