Lebana
## Biblical Appearance of Lebana The name Lebana appears exclusively in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is listed among the families of the Nethinim (temple servants) who returned from Babylon to Judah under the decree of Cyrus the Great (Ezra 2:45; Nehemiah 7:48). The parallel account in 1 Esdras 5:29 also records the name. These lists function as a census, documenting the faithful remnant that God restored to the land.
## Historical and Social Context The Lebana family was part of the Nethinim, a class of temple servants whose duties likely included maintenance and support work for the priesthood. Their return was crucial for re-establishing temple worship in Jerusalem. The meticulous recording of these families, including Lebana, underscores the importance of lineage and continuity in Israel's religious life, ensuring that the restored community was properly constituted for worship.
## Significance in the Restoration Narrative The inclusion of the Lebana clan, though a minor detail, is theologically significant. It represents the fulfillment of God's promises through prophets like Jeremiah that a remnant would return (Jeremiah 29:10-14). Every family, even those with seemingly minor roles, was part of God's sovereign plan to rebuild a worshiping community. Their return was an act of collective obedience and hope, contributing to the physical and spiritual restoration of Judah.
Biblical Context
The name Lebana appears in two nearly identical lists in the Hebrew Bible: Ezra 2:45 and Nehemiah 7:48. It identifies a family within the larger group of the Nethinim (temple servants) who returned from the Babylonian exile. These lists are part of the administrative records documenting the restoration community in Jerusalem in the 5th century BC.
Theological Significance
Lebana's mention teaches that God values and remembers every individual and family within His covenant people. Their return exemplifies God's faithfulness to His promises of restoration. It highlights the theme that rebuilding God's kingdom involves the collective, often unnamed, service of many faithful people, each playing a part in re-establishing right worship and community.
Historical Background
Extra-biblical sources provide no specific information about the Lebana family. However, the broader historical context is the Persian Empire's policy of allowing deported peoples to return to their homelands. The lists in Ezra and Nehemiah reflect authentic administrative documents from the Persian period, emphasizing the importance of genealogical records for establishing social and religious roles in the restored Jewish community.