אָטֵר (a.ter)
a.ter
Ater
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew name אָטֵר (Ater) appears in four verses within Ezra and Nehemiah, identifying distinct individuals during the period of the Exile and Return. The sources suggest a meaning related to "binder," though this etymology is presented as a possibility rather than a certainty. These men are not central narrative figures but serve as markers of community structure and identity in the restored Jewish society.
One Ater is listed among the heads of families returning from Babylon (Ezra 2:16), while another appears as a Levite porter in the same census list (Ezra 2:42). A third individual, also named Ater, is recorded as a chief who sealed Nehemiah’s covenant (Nehemiah 10:17). In each instance, the name functions to anchor these men within the specific historical context of post-exilic leadership and temple service.
The recurrence of this relatively uncommon name across different roles—family head, Levite servant, and covenant signatory—highlights how ordinary names carried weight in rebuilding a community. The sources do not provide extensive theological commentary on the word itself, focusing instead on its use as a proper noun to identify key participants in the restoration efforts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ater appears in the lists of those who returned from exile, marking ordinary men who played vital roles in rebuilding their community. Whether listed as a family head or a gatekeeper for the temple, these individuals show how God values faithful service in everyday life. Their names are not just historical footnotes but reminders that every person contributes to the restoration of God’s people.
When we read these records, we see that faithfulness is often found in quiet, consistent duties. The gatekeepers protected what was holy, while the family heads maintained lineage and identity. This word reminds us that our own small acts of obedience matter deeply to God, anchoring us in His larger story of renewal and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ater4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָטֵר֙2×
- אָטֵ֥ר2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:16
The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
This verse identifies Ater as a family head returning from Babylon, showing how lineage was preserved to maintain community identity after exile.
-
Ezra 2:42
The children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.
Here Ater is listed among the gatekeepers, highlighting the specific role of protecting and maintaining the temple grounds in the restored society.