Bebai (Hastings' Dictionary)
- ("33) The eponym of a family of returning exiles (Ezr 2" 8" 10^, Neh 7" 10'», 1 Es 6" 9^). See Genealogy. 2. {B-n^al) An utterly unknown locality mentioned only in Jth 15*. B and Vulg. omit. The text is probably corrupt. J. A. Selbie. BECAUSE was formerly used (and is still used locally) to express the purpose. Thus Burton, Anat. Mel. (1621) ' Anointmg the doors and hinges with oyl, because ( = in order that) they should not creak. There are two examples in AV, Wis 11^ ' And winkest at the sins of men b. they should amend' (RV 'to the end they may repent'); Mt 20" ' And the multitude rebuked them b. (RV 'that') they should hold their peace.' J. Hastings.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Bebai
Bebai be'-ba-i, beb'-a-i (bebhay; Septuagint Bebai, "fatherly"): ⇒See a list of verses on BEBAI in the Bible. (1) Descendants of B: returned with Ezra to Jerusalem (Ezr 8:11 called Babi; 1 Esdras 8:37); one of these is Zechariah, the son of Bebai (Ezr 8:11, Zaeharias; 1 Esdras 8:37). 623 returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem (Ezr 2:11; 1 Esdras 5:13; Ne 7:16 gives the number 628); some of these had married "strange wives" (Ezr 10:28; 1 Esdras 9:29). (2) A chief of the people who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah (Ne 10:15). ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia. (3) An unknown town (Judith 15:4). Omitted in Codex Vaticanus and Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Bebai
(fatherly). “Sons of Bebai,” 623 (Nehe 628) in number, returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel, (Ezra 2:11; Nehemiah 7:16) (B.C. 536), and at a later period twenty-eight more under Zechariah, son of Bebai, returned with Ezra. (Ezra 8:11) Four of this family had taken foreign wives. (Ezra 10:28) The name occurs also among those who sealed the covenant. (Nehemiah 10:15) Father of Zechariah, who was the leader of the twenty-eight men of his tribe mentioned above.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Bebai
Sons of (Ezr 2:11; Ezr 8:11; Ezr 10:28; Neh 7:16; Neh 10:15).
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia