Who was Paseah in the Bible?

Paseah was an ancestor whose descendants, known as temple servants (Nethinim), returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. He is listed among the families who helped rebuild and serve in the restored temple (Ezra 2:49; Nehemiah 7:51).

What is the significance of Paseah's descendants?

Paseah's descendants were part of the Nethinim, a group dedicated to assisting the Levites with the menial tasks of the temple. Their return from exile was crucial for re-establishing proper worship and temple service in Jerusalem after the captivity.

What does the name Paseah mean?

The name Paseah (Hebrew: פַּסֵחַ) means 'limping' or 'lame.' While the meaning of his personal name is known, the biblical text highlights his legacy through his family's faithful service rather than any specific event in his own life.

Paseah

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleReturned from exile

Paseah, whose descendants were among the temple servants that returned from Babylonian exile.

Paseah

Biography

Paseah was the ancestor of a family of Nethinim, the temple servants who performed essential support tasks in Israel's worship. His descendants were among the returning exiles who journeyed from Babylon back to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel's leadership (Ezra 2:49; Nehemiah 7:51). The Nethinim, whose name means "given ones," were dedicated workers assigned to assist the Levites in maintaining the temple and its services. Their duties included tasks such as carrying water, chopping wood, and performing other necessary labors that enabled the sacrificial system to function. The family of Paseah, by returning from exile, demonstrated their commitment to resuming these humble yet vital roles in the restored temple community. Their willingness to leave Babylon for the difficult work of rebuilding worship in Jerusalem reflects genuine devotion to God's house.

Significance

Paseah's family represents the indispensable contribution of those who serve in supportive roles within God's worshiping community. The Nethinim rarely receive scholarly attention, yet without their labor the elaborate temple worship system could not have functioned. Paseah's descendants' return from exile to resume these humble duties illustrates the biblical principle that every form of service to God carries dignity and importance. Their story challenges hierarchical assumptions about spiritual significance, demonstrating that chopping wood for the altar was as essential to Israel's worship as the priestly offerings themselves. The faithful return of the Nethinim families like Paseah's ensured the completeness of the restored worshiping community and the proper functioning of the Second Temple.

Verse Appearances (2)

Ezra

Ezra 2:49

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 7:51

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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