6380. Pokereth Hatstsebayim
Lexical Summary
Pokereth Hatstsebayim: Pokereth of the Gazelles

Original Word: פֹכֶרֶת צְבָיִים
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Pokereth Tsbayiym
Pronunciation: poh-keh-reth hats-tseh-bah-yeem
Phonetic Spelling: (po-keh'-reth tseb-aw-yeem')
KJV: Pochereth of Zebaim
NASB: Pochereth-hazzebaim
Word Origin: [from the active participle (of the same form as the first word) feminine of an unused root (meaning to entrap) and plural of H6643 (צְּבִי - Beauty)]

1. trap of gazelles
2. Pokereth-Tsebajim, one of the "servants of Solomon"

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Pokereth-Tsebajim, one of the servants of Solomon

From the active participle (of the same form as the first word) feminine of an unused root (meaning to entrap) and plural of tsbiy; trap of gazelles; Pokereth-Tsebajim, one of the "servants of Solomon" -- Pochereth of Zebaim.

see HEBREW tsbiy

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word and tsebi
Definition
"bindress of the gazelles," head of a postexilic family
NASB Translation
Pochereth-hazzebaim (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מֹּכֶ֫רֶת הַצְבָיִם proper name, masculine (bindress [Aramaic; perhaps binder (feminine of office)] of the gazelles); — head of post-exilic family, ׳ה ׳בְּנֵי פ Ezra 2:57 = Nehemiah 7:59 (הַצְּבָיִים, υιὁὶ Φασραθ υιὁὶ Ασεβωειν(Φακαραθ, Σαβαειμ, etc.).

פלא (√ of following; separate from the ordinary, distinguish according to Thes Gerber212, compare פלה).

Topical Lexicon
Occurrences in Scripture

Ezra 2:57 and Nehemiah 7:59 each list “the descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim” among those who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. In the Berean Standard Bible, Ezra records: “descendants of Shephatiah, descendants of Hattil, descendants of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and descendants of Amon” (Ezra 2:57). Nehemiah’s nearly identical register underscores the reliability of the records preserved across decades.

Historical Context

These two verses occur inside extensive census lists compiled shortly after the exile. Ezra’s list (circa 538 BC) documents families who came back to Judea in the first wave of returnees, while Nehemiah (circa 445 BC) rehearses the same roster as part of his effort to repopulate Jerusalem and restore covenant faithfulness. Such duplication shows that the restoration community considered accurate lineage essential for re-establishing temple service and civic order.

Identity within the Community of Temple Servants

Pochereth-hazzebaim is grouped with “the servants of Solomon” (Ezra 2:55–58; Nehemiah 7:57–60), a class closely related to the Nethinim. These were non-priestly assistants responsible for menial but necessary labor connected to the temple. Their tasks likely included maintenance, water hauling, wood cutting, and other logistical support that freed Levites and priests for consecrated duties (compare Joshua 9:27; 1 Chronicles 9:2).

Genealogical Significance

By preserving the lineage of even minor service families, Scripture highlights that every covenant participant—even those outside the priestly or royal lines—possessed a traceable place in God’s redemptive plan. Though the name appears only twice, the careful inclusion shields the community from unauthorized persons (Ezra 2:59–63) and foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on orderly worship and discernment of gifts (1 Corinthians 14:40; Romans 12:4–8).

Theological Insights

1. Covenant Inclusivity: The return lists combine prominent leaders (Ezra 2:2) with humble servants, embodying the principle that the Lord’s work requires varied gifts and backgrounds (Nehemiah 3; 1 Corinthians 12:12–26).
2. Faithful Remembrance: Chronicles of obscure families remind readers that God “is not unjust; He will not forget your work” (Hebrews 6:10).
3. Restoration Pattern: Rebuilding after discipline involved not only walls and altars but the reconstitution of a sanctified workforce. The obedience of these servants counters the prior generations’ neglect that led to exile.

Ministry Lessons

• Administrative Stewardship: Modern ministry likewise depends on reliable records and accountability, whether for financial stewardship, child protection policies, or mission partnerships.
• Valuing Hidden Service: Congregations should honor unseen labor—custodial teams, nursery volunteers, technical crews—whose faithfulness mirrors Pochereth-hazzebaim.
• Intergenerational Continuity: Recording names cultivates an awareness of heritage, encouraging local churches to preserve testimonies and histories for future believers.

Connections to the Broader Narrative

The presence of Solomon’s former servants in the restoration era illustrates divine mercy that outlasts judgment. Solomon’s dynasty fractured, yet those once aligned with his court still found a place in the renewed temple. This anticipates the Messiah who gathers both prominent and lowly into one household (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Christological and Eschatological Considerations

Lists such as Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 foreshadow the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27), where names matter eternally. Redemption is personal and particular; the gospel reaches individuals with distinct stories, affirming that no servant is overlooked by the Lord who “calls His sheep by name” (John 10:3).

Application for Today

Recognizing families like Pochereth-hazzebaim encourages believers to:
• Embrace humble tasks with zeal, knowing they further kingdom purposes.
• Maintain accurate records and transparent structures in church governance.
• Celebrate God’s faithfulness to generations, inspiring perseverance amid cultural exile.

Related References

Ezra 2:43-63; Nehemiah 7:46-65; Joshua 9:23-27; 1 Chronicles 9:2; 1 Corinthians 12:18-26; Hebrews 6:10; Revelation 21:27

Forms and Transliterations
הַצְּבָיִ֖ים הצביים haṣ·ṣə·ḇā·yîm haṣṣəḇāyîm hatztzevaYim
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ezra 2:57
HEB: בְּנֵ֛י פֹּכֶ֥רֶת הַצְּבָיִ֖ים בְּנֵ֥י אָמִֽי׃
NAS: the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons
KJV: the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children
INT: of Hattil the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim the sons of Ami

Nehemiah 7:59
HEB: בְּנֵ֛י פֹּכֶ֥רֶת הַצְּבָיִ֖ים בְּנֵ֥י אָמֽוֹן׃
NAS: the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons
KJV: the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children
INT: of Hattil the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim the sons of Amon

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6380
2 Occurrences


haṣ·ṣə·ḇā·yîm — 2 Occ.

6379
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