Who was Giddel in the Bible?

Giddel was an ancestor of a family group listed among 'Solomon's servants' who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. His descendants are mentioned in the census of returning exiles recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 2:47, Nehemiah 7:49).

Why is Giddel mentioned in the Bible?

Giddel is mentioned to document the faithful remnant of Israel who returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem. His inclusion shows God's faithfulness in preserving specific family lines and the social structure of His people, even those who had served in the royal household.

What does the name 'Giddel' mean?

The name 'Giddel' likely comes from a Hebrew root meaning 'to make great' or 'to magnify.' While the Bible does not explain the meaning of his name, its inclusion in the list of returning exiles highlights how God magnified His promise to restore His people.

Giddel

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleReturned from exile

Giddel was an ancestor of a group of Solomon's servants who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile.

Giddel

Biography

This Giddel is listed in Ezra 2:56 and Nehemiah 7:58 as the progenitor of a family among the descendants of Solomon's servants who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, approximately 538 BC. Solomon's servants were a distinct group of temple functionaries, believed to have originated from non-Israelite peoples conscripted or donated for service in Solomon's building projects and temple operations. By the time of the return, their descendants were fully integrated into the post-exilic community and counted among those with documented lineage. Their return alongside the Nethinim demonstrated the breadth of the restoration, all categories of temple servants were needed to reconstitute worshipping life in Jerusalem.

Significance

The return of Giddel's descendants among Solomon's servants illustrates the comprehensive scope of God's restoration of Israel after exile. The inclusion of this distinct servant class, of partially foreign origin, within the covenant assembly reflects the widening reach of God's redemptive purposes. Their faithful presence in Jerusalem after decades of exile demonstrates that commitment to the covenant and its worship transcended ethnic boundaries and social hierarchies. Theologically, their return foreshadows the prophetic vision of a day when all peoples would serve God at his holy mountain (Isaiah 56:6–7). Even families of uncertain origin found their place in the restored community through devotion to God's house.

Verse Appearances (2)

Ezra

Ezra 2:56

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 7:58

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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