Who was Mehida in the Bible?

Mehida was an ancestor of a family of temple servants, known as the Nethinim, who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. His descendants are listed among those who came back with Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple (Ezra 2:52; Nehemiah 7:54).

What is the significance of Mehida's family being Nethinim?

The Nethinim were dedicated temple servants responsible for assisting the Levites with maintenance and logistical duties. Mehida's inclusion shows that even supporting roles in God's temple were carefully recorded and valued in Israel's restoration (Ezra 8:20).

What key event is Mehida associated with in the Bible?

Mehida is associated with the key event of the return from exile. His family line is recorded among the exiles who journeyed from Babylon back to Judah to reestablish worship and community in Jerusalem after the decree of Cyrus (Nehemiah 7:6, 54).

Mehida

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleReturned from exile

Mehida was an ancestor of temple servants (Nethinim) who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity (Ezr.2.52; Neh.7.54).

Mehida

Biography

Mehida was the ancestral head of a family of Nethinim, the dedicated temple servants who assisted the Levites in maintaining Israel's worship. His descendants are listed among those who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel's leadership, as recorded in both Ezra 2:52 and Nehemiah 7:54. Though little is known about Mehida personally, his family's inclusion in the official registry of returnees confirms their recognized status within the post-exilic community. The Nethinim occupied a distinct social position, having been set apart for sacred service, likely tracing their institutional origins to the Gibeonites whom Joshua assigned to tabernacle duties. Mehida's family faithfully preserved their identity and calling through the devastating years of captivity in Babylon, returning to resume their ancestral service in the rebuilt temple.

Significance

Mehida's lasting importance lies in what his family represents within God's redemptive plan: the preservation of temple worship through exile and restoration. The Nethinim were essential to Israel's liturgical life, performing the humble but necessary tasks that enabled proper worship. That Mehida's descendants maintained their identity through seventy years of displacement in Babylon testifies to the enduring power of sacred vocation. Their return demonstrates God's faithfulness in restoring not only the prominent leaders but also the unsung servants whose labor sustained communal worship. Mehida reminds readers that faithfulness in obscure service is honored by God, and that every role in the worshiping community matters to the divine economy.

Verse Appearances (2)

Ezra

Ezra 2:52

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 7:54

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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