Overview:
Sallai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the post-exilic period. He is recognized as one of the leaders among the Levites who returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. His role and lineage are significant in understanding the restoration of religious practices and the reestablishment of the Levitical order during this period.

Biblical References:
Sallai is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, which details the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and restore its religious and social structures after the return from Babylonian captivity. The specific references to Sallai are found in Nehemiah 11:8 and Nehemiah 12:20.

1. Nehemiah 11:8 : "And his brothers, men of valor, were 928. Joel son of Zichri was the officer over them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the city."

In this passage, Sallai is listed among the men of valor who resettled in Jerusalem. Although his name is not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the surrounding verses places him among the leaders and influential figures in the community.

2. Nehemiah 12:20 : "Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;"

Here, Sallai is identified as a leader of a Levitical family. The verse is part of a genealogical record that lists the heads of the priestly and Levitical families during the time of Joiakim, the high priest. Sallai's mention in this context underscores his role in the religious leadership of the community.

Historical and Religious Context:
The return from Babylonian exile marked a significant period in Jewish history, characterized by the rebuilding of the Temple and the reestablishment of religious practices. The Levites, including Sallai, played a crucial role in this restoration. They were responsible for various religious duties, including assisting the priests, maintaining the Temple, and leading worship.

Sallai's inclusion in the genealogical records of Nehemiah highlights the importance of maintaining the purity and continuity of the Levitical line. This was essential for the proper functioning of the Temple services and the observance of the Law of Moses.

Significance:
Sallai's role as a leader among the Levites reflects the broader theme of faithfulness and dedication to God's covenant. The Levites were tasked with preserving the spiritual integrity of the nation, and Sallai's leadership contributed to the successful reestablishment of worship in Jerusalem.

The mention of Sallai in the genealogical records also serves as a testament to the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative. It emphasizes the continuity of God's promises to His people and the fulfillment of His plans through successive generations.

Conclusion:
While Sallai may not be a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, his inclusion in the records of Nehemiah underscores the collective effort of the returned exiles to restore their community and religious life. His leadership among the Levites highlights the critical role of the Levitical order in maintaining the spiritual health of the nation during a pivotal time in Israel's history.Sallai

Sallu, an exaltation; a basket

Basket-maker.

(1.) A Benjamite (Nehemiah 11:8).

(2.) A priest in the days of Joshua and Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:20).

SALLAI

sal'-a-i, sal'-i (callay; Salom; Codex Alexandrinus Salo, with variants):

(1) Eponym of a Benjamite family which settled at Jerusalem after the return, descendants of "Sallu" (1 Chronicles 9:7 Nehemiah 11:7, 8); the pedigrees of Sallu differ decidedly in the two passages. Curtis (ICC) suggests that "son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah" (Chronicles) is a corruption or derivation of "Judah the son of Hassenuah" (Nehemiah).

(2) Name of a priestly family (Nehemiah 12:20), called "Sallu" in Nehemiah 12:7.

5543. Calluw -- an Israelite priest
... 5542, 5543. Calluw. 5543a . an Israelite priest. Transliteration: Calluw Phonetic
Spelling: (sal-loo') Short Definition: Sallai. Sallai, Sallu, Salu ...
/hebrew/5543.htm - 5k

5546b. Sallay -- two Israelites
... Sallay. 5547 . two Israelites. Transliteration: Sallay Short Definition: Sallai.
Word Origin from salah Definition two Isr. NASB Word Usage Sallai (2). ...
/hebrew/5546b.htm - 5k

Sallai (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SALLAI. ... Multi-Version Concordance Sallai (2
Occurrences). Nehemiah 11:8 After him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight. ...
/s/sallai.htm - 7k

Kallai (1 Occurrence)
... kal'-ai, kal'-i (qallay, qal, "swift"): A priest among those who returned with
Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:1). He represented the family of Sallai (Nehemiah 12:20 ...
/k/kallai.htm - 7k

Sal'lai (1 Occurrence)
Sal'lai. Sallai, Sal'lai. Salla'i . Multi-Version Concordance Sal'lai (1
Occurrence). Nehemiah 12:20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; (See RSV). ...
/s/sal'lai.htm - 6k

928 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 928 (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 11:8 After him
Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/928.htm - 6k

Kal'lai (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kal'lai (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 12:20 of Sallai, Kallai;
of Amok, Eber; (See RSV). Kallai, Kal'lai. Kamai . Reference Bible.
/k/kal'lai.htm - 6k

Gabba'i (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gabba'i (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 11:8 And after him
Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. (See RSV). ...
/g/gabba'i.htm - 6k

Gabbai (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gabbai (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 11:8 After him Gabbai,
Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/g/gabbai.htm - 6k

Twenty-eight (13 Occurrences)
... twenty-eight. (WEB BBE DBY RSV). Nehemiah 11:8 After him Gabbai, Sallai,
nine hundred twenty-eight. (WEB BBE DBY RSV). Nehemiah 11 ...
/t/twenty-eight.htm - 9k

Amok's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Amok's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah
12:20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; (See NIV). ...
/a/amok's.htm - 6k

Amok (2 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Nehemiah 12:20 of Sallai, Kallai;
of Amok, Eber; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/amok.htm - 7k

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