Who was Bakbakkar in the Bible?

Bakbakkar was a Levite who lived in Jerusalem after the Israelites returned from exile. He is mentioned as a descendant of Asaph, part of the group responsible for the service of the temple (1 Chronicles 9:15).

Why is Bakbakkar mentioned in the Bible?

His mention, though brief, highlights the restoration of proper worship and temple service in Jerusalem. It shows God's faithfulness in preserving the Levitical line to lead the community's spiritual life after the return from Babylon.

What was Bakbakkar's role as a Levite?

As a Levite, Bakbakkar would have assisted with the temple duties, which included music, gatekeeping, and other services. His specific role, like many in the genealogical lists, was to ensure the continuity of worship as ordained by God's law.

Bakbakkar

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleLevite

Bakbakkar was a Levite who resided in Jerusalem.

Bakbakkar

Biography

Bakbakkar was a Levite who settled in Jerusalem following the return from Babylonian exile, mentioned in the genealogical and settlement records of 1 Chronicles 9:15. He is listed among the first returnees who repopulated Jerusalem after the exile, a community that the Chronicler regards with special theological significance as the reconstituted people of God. His name, which may be related to a Hebrew root meaning "to search out" or "to investigate," appears only this once in Scripture. As a Levite resident in Jerusalem, Bakbakkar would have been part of the community responsible for maintaining Temple worship, the reading of the Law, and the religious instruction of the restored community.

Significance

Bakbakkar represents the Levites who answered the call to resettle Jerusalem after the exile, a call that required considerable sacrifice, since the city lay partially in ruins and the surrounding territories remained contested. The Chronicler's careful listing of those who first returned to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9) reflects the theological conviction that God was reconstituting his covenant community around the holy city and its Temple. Bakbakkar's presence as a Levite in this community meant he contributed to the restoration of Israel's worship life, which was the spiritual heart of national renewal. His example echoes across the canon as a model of courageous faithfulness in choosing to build up God's community rather than to remain in the comfort of the diaspora.

Verse Appearances (1)

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 9:15

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]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources