Who was Hattil in the Bible?

Hattil was an ancestor of a family group known as 'the sons of Solomon's servants' who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. He is listed among those who came back with Zerubbabel to rebuild the community (Ezra 2:57; Nehemiah 7:59).

Why is Hattil mentioned in the Bible?

Hattil's mention highlights God's faithfulness in preserving and restoring His people. His family's return from exile represents the fulfillment of prophecy and the continuity of the community dedicated to serving God's purposes (Jeremiah 29:10).

What was Hattil's role or significance?

As an ancestor of temple servants, Hattil represents the many faithful but unnamed individuals who supported Israel's worship. His lineage's return was crucial for reestablishing temple service and the religious life of the restored community in Jerusalem.

Hattil

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleReturned from exile

Hattil was an ancestor of Solomon's servants who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile. (Ezr.2.57; Neh.7.59)

Hattil

Biography

Hattil is listed in the post-exilic census of Ezra 2:57 and Nehemiah 7:59 as the ancestor of a family descended from Solomon's servants who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile. The 'servants of Solomon' formed a distinct group within post-exilic Israelite society, likely descendants of the non-Israelite laborers conscripted for Solomon's massive building projects (1 Kings 5:13-18; 9:20-21). Despite their mixed or servile origins, these families are included in the sacred registers of the returning community, placed alongside the Nethinim as participants in the restoration of Jerusalem. Hattil's descendants numbered among those who chose to leave Babylon and contribute to the rebuilding of God's city.

Significance

Hattil's lineage illustrates a remarkable dimension of God's inclusive covenant community. Though his descendants traced their ancestry to servants of a royal building program rather than to Levitical or priestly lines, they are formally recognized in the restoration assembly. This inclusion foreshadows the New Testament vision of a community where all who belong to God have a place in his household (Ephesians 2:19). The willingness of these families to return and participate in the rebuilding of Jerusalem affirms that devotion to God's purposes is not limited to those of prestigious lineage.

Verse Appearances (2)

Ezra

Ezra 2:57

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 7:59

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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