Bigvai is a biblical figure mentioned in the context of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. His name appears in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which detail the efforts to rebuild the temple and restore the community in Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 2:2, 14 · Bigvai is listed among the leaders of the people who returned with Zerubbabel. The passage states: "These came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: ... the descendants of Bigvai, 2,056."

2. Nehemiah 7:7, 19 · In a parallel account to Ezra, Nehemiah also records the returnees, including Bigvai. The text reads: "They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: ... the descendants of Bigvai, 2,067."

3. Ezra 8:14 · Bigvai is mentioned again in the list of those who returned with Ezra. The passage notes: "From the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur, and with them 70 men."

Historical and Theological Context:

Bigvai is recognized as a leader of one of the families or clans that returned from the Babylonian exile. The return from exile was a significant event in Jewish history, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land. The inclusion of Bigvai's descendants in the lists of returnees underscores the importance of family and tribal identity in the post-exilic community.

The numbers associated with Bigvai's descendants in Ezra and Nehemiah (2,056 and 2,067, respectively) suggest a substantial family group, indicating that Bigvai's clan was one of the larger contingents to return. This reflects the commitment and faith of these families to leave the relative stability of Babylon and undertake the challenging journey back to a land that needed rebuilding.

Significance:

The mention of Bigvai and his descendants highlights the collective effort required to restore the Jewish community and religious practices in Jerusalem. Each family and clan played a crucial role in the re-establishment of the temple and the reconstitution of Jewish society. Bigvai's leadership and the willingness of his descendants to return demonstrate a dedication to God's covenant and a desire to participate in the renewal of their national and spiritual identity.

Bigvai's inclusion in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the faithfulness of God's people in responding to His call, even in the face of uncertainty and hardship. The return from exile was not merely a physical relocation but a spiritual renewal, and leaders like Bigvai were instrumental in guiding their people through this transformative period.Bigvai

in my body

Bigvai

(happy).

1. "Children of Bigvai," 2056 (Neh. 2067) in number, returned from the captivity with Zerubbabel, (Ezra 2:14; Nehemiah 7:19) and 72 of them at a later date with Ezra. (Ezra 8:14) (B.C. 536.)
2. Apparently one of the chiefs of Zerubbabel's expedition, (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7) whose family afterwards signed the covenant. (Nehemiah 10:16) (B.C. 410.)

BIGVAI

big'-va-i (bighway; Baogei, Bagoua):

(1) The head of one of the families who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2 Nehemiah 7:7), having a large number of his retainers (2,056, according to Ezra 2:14; 2,067, according to Nehemiah 7:19), besides 72 males later under Ezra (Ezra 8:14).

(2) One of those who subscribed the covenant with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 10:16).

902. Bigvay -- perhaps "happy," an Israelite name
... perhaps "happy," an Israelite name. Transliteration: Bigvay Phonetic Spelling:
(big-vah'ee) Short Definition: Bigvai. ... name NASB Word Usage Bigvai (6). Bigvai. ...
/hebrew/902.htm - 5kBigvai (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BIGVAI. big'-va-i (bighway; Baogei ... 10:16).
Multi-Version Concordance Bigvai (4 Occurrences). Ezra 2:2 ...
/b/bigvai.htm - 8k

Bigva'i (6 Occurrences)
... Bigvai, Bigva'i. Bikat-aven . ... Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah,
Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. ...
/b/bigva'i.htm - 7k

Zerub'babel (23 Occurrences)
... RSV). Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah,
Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The ...
/z/zerub'babel.htm - 13k

Nehemi'ah (8 Occurrences)
... Nehemi'ah (8 Occurrences). Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah,
Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. ...
/n/nehemi'ah.htm - 8k

Uthai (2 Occurrences)
... u'-tha-i (`uthay, meaning uncertain): (1) A descendant of Judah, of the clan of
Perez (1 Chronicles 9:4) = "Athaiah" of Nehemiah 11:4. (2) Son of Bigvai (Ezra 8 ...
/u/uthai.htm - 7k

Mor'decai (51 Occurrences)
... Mor'decai (51 Occurrences). Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah,
Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. ...
/m/mor'decai.htm - 20k

Mordecai (52 Occurrences)
... Mordecai (52 Occurrences). Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah,
Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. ...
/m/mordecai.htm - 28k

Bilshan (2 Occurrences)
... Bilshan (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah,
Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. ...
/b/bilshan.htm - 8k

Ba'anah (9 Occurrences)
... RSV). Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah,
Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The ...
/b/ba'anah.htm - 8k

Baanah (10 Occurrences)
... NIV). Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah,
Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The ...
/b/baanah.htm - 10k

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