Lexical Summary Shabbethay: Shabbethai Original Word: שַׁבְּתַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shabbethai From shabbath; restful; Shabbethai, the name of three Israelites -- Shabbethai. see HEBREW shabbath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shabath Definition a Levite NASB Translation Shabbethai (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs שַׁבְּתַי proper name Levite: — Ezra 10:15; Nehemiah 8:7; Nehemiah 11:16; Σαβ(β)αθαι, etc. Topical Lexicon Name and Identity Shabbethai is remembered as a post-exilic Levite who served the restored community in Jerusalem during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. Though mentioned only three times, the contexts knit together a portrait of a man whose ministry touched judicial, instructional, and administrative spheres of Israel’s renewed life. Occurrences in Scripture • Ezra 10:15 Participation in Ezra’s Reform (Ezra 10:15) When Ezra confronted the delicate crisis of mixed marriages, “Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them” (Ezra 10:15). Shabbethai aligned himself with a minority questioning the proposed mass dismissal of foreign wives. His stance underscores that genuine reform in Israel never allowed for blind conformity; rather, the Law was to be applied with discernment, prayer, and compassion. By lending his Levite authority to the deliberations, Shabbethai models principled engagement in community decision-making. Teacher of the Law (Nehemiah 8:7) At the great assembly where Ezra read the Law, Shabbethai stood among the Levites who “explained the Law to the people as they stood in their places” (Nehemiah 8:7). This scene illustrates a hallmark of post-exilic worship: Scripture was not merely recited but carefully interpreted so the hearers could understand and obey. Shabbethai’s participation evidences a deep grasp of Torah and a pastoral concern that every family comprehend God’s covenant requirements. His inclusion in this select company speaks to his reputation for doctrinal soundness and communicative skill. Oversight of Sacred Operations (Nehemiah 11:16) In the repopulation lists, “Shabbethai and Jozabad, from the leaders of the Levites, were over the outside work of the house of God” (Nehemiah 11:16). The “outside work” likely involved supply lines, maintenance of storage chambers, and coordination of temple precincts. Such logistical oversight ensured that worship could proceed unhindered and that offerings were administered with integrity. By accepting a role that was largely behind the scenes, Shabbethai demonstrates that faithful service is not measured by visibility but by stewardship. Integrated Portrait 1. Moral Discernment—He was willing to question prevailing policy when conscience and covenant demanded it. Theological Significance Shabbethai’s threefold ministry affirms the complementary callings within God’s people: prophetic critique, teaching of truth, and practical administration. In him the post-exilic community witnessed how Levites could both guard orthodoxy and address tangible needs, embodying the ideal that worship and daily life are inseparable. Practical Reflections for Today • Reform must be anchored not only in zeal but in thoughtful adherence to Scripture. Related Topics Ezra’s reforms; Levites in the Second Temple period; ministry of exposition in Nehemiah 8; principles of godly administration. Forms and Transliterations וְשַׁבְּתַ֥י וְשַׁבְּתַ֨י ושבתי שַׁבְּתַ֣י ׀ שבתי šab·bə·ṯay šabbəṯay shabbeTai veshabbeTai wə·šab·bə·ṯay wəšabbəṯayLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 10:15 HEB: זֹ֑את וּמְשֻׁלָּ֛ם וְשַׁבְּתַ֥י הַלֵּוִ֖י עֲזָרֻֽם׃ NAS: with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite KJV: about this [matter]: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite INT: with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting Nehemiah 8:7 Nehemiah 11:16 3 Occurrences |
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