Overview:
Bilgah is a name found in the Old Testament, associated with both a priestly division and an individual. The name Bilgah is of Hebrew origin, meaning "cheerfulness" or "rejoicing." It is primarily noted in the context of the priestly courses established by King David.

Priestly Division:
Bilgah is recognized as one of the twenty-four priestly divisions instituted by King David to organize the service of the Temple. This system is detailed in 1 Chronicles 24, where the descendants of Aaron are divided into groups to ensure a structured and continuous service in the house of the Lord. The division of Bilgah is listed as the fifteenth of these courses:

· 1 Chronicles 24:14 : "the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,"

The division of Bilgah, like the others, would serve in the Temple according to a rotating schedule, ensuring that the worship and sacrifices were conducted in an orderly manner. This system allowed for the equitable distribution of duties among the priestly families.

Historical Context:
The establishment of the priestly courses was a significant development in the religious life of Israel, reflecting the centralization of worship in Jerusalem and the importance of maintaining a continuous and organized priestly presence in the Temple. The division of Bilgah, along with the others, played a crucial role in the spiritual life of the nation, facilitating the regular offering of sacrifices and the observance of religious festivals.

Post-Exilic Period:
After the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple, the priestly divisions were reestablished. The division of Bilgah is mentioned in the context of those who returned from exile and resumed their priestly duties:

· Nehemiah 12:5 : "Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,"

This reference in Nehemiah highlights the continuity of the priestly service and the enduring legacy of the division of Bilgah in the post-exilic community.

Individual Reference:
In addition to the priestly division, Bilgah is also the name of an individual mentioned in the genealogical records of the post-exilic period. This reflects the common practice of naming individuals after significant ancestors or family divisions, underscoring the importance of maintaining one's heritage and lineage.

Significance:
The mention of Bilgah in the context of the priestly divisions and the post-exilic community underscores the importance of organized worship and the continuity of religious traditions in Israel. The division of Bilgah, as part of the larger priestly system, contributed to the spiritual and communal life of the nation, ensuring that the worship of Yahweh remained central to the identity and practice of the Jewish people.Bilgah

ancient countenance

Bilgah

(first-born).

1. A priest in the time of David; the head of the fifteenth course for the temple service. (1 Chronicles 24:14) (B.C. 1015.)
2. A priest or priestly family who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. (Nehemiah 12:5,18) (B.C. 536.)

Cheerful.

(1.) The head of the fifteenth sacerdotal course for the temple service (1 Chronicles 24:14).

(2.) A priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:5, 18).

BILGAH; BILGAI

bil'-ga bil'-ga-i (bilgah; bilgay, "cheerfulness"): A priest or priestly family in the time of the Return (Nehemiah 12:5), and (under the form of "Bilgai," Nehemiah 10:8) in the time of Nehemiah. According to 1 Chronicles 24:14, Bilgah is the 15th of the 24 divisions of the priests who officiated in the Temple. In the Septuagint, the names read Belgai, Belga and Balgas. The traditional explanation of the name is "rejuvenation"; modern exegetes explain it as "cheerfulness."

1083. Bilgah -- "cheerfulness," two Israelites
... Bilgah. 1084 . "cheerfulness," two Israelites. Transliteration: Bilgah Phonetic
Spelling: (bil-gaw') Short Definition: Bilgah. ... NASB Word Usage Bilgah (3). Bilgah ...
/hebrew/1083.htm - 6kBilgah (3 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BILGAH; BILGAI. ... According to 1 Chronicles 24:14, Bilgah
is the 15th of the 24 divisions of the priests who officiated in the Temple. ...
/b/bilgah.htm - 8k

Bilgai (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia BILGAH; BILGAI. ... According to 1 Chronicles 24:14, Bilgah
is the 15th of the 24 divisions of the priests who officiated in the Temple. ...
/b/bilgai.htm - 7k

Jehon'athan (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Nehemiah 12:18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; (See
RSV). Jehonathan, Jehon'athan. Jehoram . Reference Bible.
/j/jehon'athan.htm - 7k

Jehonathan (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS NIV). Nehemiah 12:18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah,
Jehonathan; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/j/jehonathan.htm - 8k

Immer (10 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 24:14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Ezra 2 ...
/i/immer.htm - 10k

Fifteenth (18 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 24:14 the fifteenth
to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) ...
/f/fifteenth.htm - 13k

Moadiah (2 Occurrences)
... MOADIAH. mo-a-di'-a. See MAADIAH. Multi-Version Concordance Moadiah (2 Occurrences).
Nehemiah 12:5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, (See NIV). ...
/m/moadiah.htm - 7k

Miamin (2 Occurrences)
... Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. (KJV WBS
YLT). Nehemiah 12:5 Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/m/miamin.htm - 7k

Mi'jamin (3 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Nehemiah 10:7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, (See RSV). Nehemiah 12:5 Mijamin,
Maadiah, Bilgah, (See RSV). Mijamin, Mi'jamin. Mij'amin . Reference
/m/mi'jamin.htm - 6k

Mijamin (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 10:7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV).
Nehemiah 12:5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). ...
/m/mijamin.htm - 8k

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