Lexical Summary Shobay: Shobai Original Word: שׁבַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shobai For Shobiy; Shobai, an Israelite -- Shobai. see HEBREW Shobiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shabah Definition head of a family of gatekeepers NASB Translation Shobai (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֹׁבָ֑י proper name, masculine in post-exilic Israel Ezra 2:42= Nehemiah 7:45, ᵐ5B Αβαου (Ezra), Σαβει, A (Ezra), ᵐ5L σωβαι. Topical Lexicon Biblical settingShobai is mentioned only twice, both times in post-exilic lists that record those who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2) and those registered under Nehemiah nearly a century later (Nehemiah 7). In both records he appears among the gatekeepers: “The descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, 139.” “the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, 138.” The slight numerical variation is typical of parallel census lists that were copied at different stages of the restoration. The line of Shobai therefore belongs to the officially recognized corps of gatekeepers (also called porters or doorkeepers) who served in the second temple. Historical context 1. Exile and return The Babylonian deportations (606–586 BC) dismantled Judah’s institutions, but God preserved a faithful remnant. In 538 BC Cyrus permitted that remnant to return. Ezra records about fifty thousand who seized the opportunity. The presence of Shobai’s household among the gatekeepers underscores that the returning community sought not merely civic restoration but full liturgical order as prescribed by the Law of Moses. 2. Continuity across generations Between the first return (Ezra 2) and Nehemiah’s reform (Nehemiah 7) lie roughly ninety years. Shobai’s descendants are still on duty, confirming that temple service survived the hardships of incomplete walls, local opposition, and economic scarcity. The covenant community retained its identity because families like Shobai’s passed on their calling. Role and duties of the gatekeepers Gatekeepers were Levites charged with guarding the entrances to the sanctuary precincts (1 Chronicles 9:17-27). Their tasks included: • controlling access so that the impure or unauthorized could not enter (2 Chronicles 23:19) For the second-temple period these responsibilities were doubly significant. With no king on the throne, the community’s identity centered on the rebuilt temple. Faithful gatekeepers like the descendants of Shobai ensured that worship remained ordered, reverent, and in accord with the Torah. Theological significance 1. A testimony to covenant faithfulness The reappearance of Shobai’s line in both lists testifies that God “does not forget the work and the love” shown by His servants (Hebrews 6:10). Even seemingly minor functions are recorded in Scripture to demonstrate that every role, when offered in obedience, matters in the unfolding of redemptive history. 2. Evidence for scriptural reliability The precise family counts, together with minor numerical differences, exhibit the authenticity of archival material. Far from undermining trust in the text, such differences reflect independent records that converge on the same historical facts: the presence of six gatekeeper families, including Shobai’s, in Jerusalem after the exile. 3. Foreshadowing of the Church’s stewardship As Shobai kept physical gates, so believers today are called to guard the “good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14). The New Testament likens church leaders to “stewards” (Titus 1:7) responsible for doctrinal purity and pastoral care. Shobai’s faithfulness therefore functions as an Old Testament paradigm for New Testament ministry. Spiritual applications • Perseverance in humble service. Shobai is not associated with spectacular feats, yet his steady loyalty was indispensable. Modern servants who labor unseen in administrative, maintenance, or security roles can see their work dignified by this biblical precedent. • Intergenerational discipleship. The fact that descendants rather than isolated individuals are listed invites families to cultivate a heritage of ministry. Parents who involve children in worship, instruction, and church service help ensure a living legacy. • Watchfulness over worship. In an age of distraction, congregations must appoint spiritual “gatekeepers” who maintain reverence, safeguard doctrine, and foster holiness. Summary Shobai represents one of the six gatekeeper clans that returned from exile, resumed temple duties under Zerubbabel, and were still active in Nehemiah’s day. Though mentioned only twice, his house embodies covenant continuity, the dignity of unheralded service, and the necessity of vigilant stewardship in the worship of God. Forms and Transliterations שֹׁבָ֑י שבי shoVai šō·ḇāy šōḇāyLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:42 HEB: חֲטִיטָ֖א בְּנֵ֣י שֹׁבָ֑י הַכֹּ֕ל מֵאָ֖ה NAS: the sons of Shobai, in all KJV: the children of Shobai, [in] all an hundred INT: of Hatita the children of Shobai all an hundred Nehemiah 7:45 2 Occurrences |
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