גִּשְׁפָּא (gish.pa)
gish.pa
Gishpa
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Gishpa appears only once in Scripture, recorded in Nehemiah 11:21 as an officer among the Nethinim, or temple servants, who returned to Jerusalem from exile. It serves as a brief historical marker for one of the many individuals involved in rebuilding the community’s religious life after the Babylonian captivity.
Lexical sources suggest the name likely means "caress" or is derived from a root with similar connotations. While its exact etymology remains obscure, this gentle meaning contrasts with the harsh realities of exile and reconstruction, offering a subtle glimpse into the personal identities behind the biblical census lists.
This single occurrence highlights the importance of ordinary servants in the restoration narrative. Gishpa’s mention reminds readers that the return from exile was not led by figures alone but relied on the faithful service of many unnamed or briefly named officials who helped reestablish worship and community structure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read through lists of names in Nehemiah, it is easy to feel disconnected from the story. These are not just characters in a history book; they are real people who faced the hard work of rebuilding their community after exile. Gishpa is listed as an officer over the temple servants, showing that leadership was shared among many faithful individuals.
This name, which may mean 'caress', offers a gentle contrast to the harsh realities of post-exilic life. It reminds us that God values the quiet, steady service of those who keep things running behind the scenes. Your own faithful efforts, even when they seem small or unnoticed, are part of this same story of restoration.
You do not need to be a famous leader to matter in God's eyes. The community was rebuilt by people like Gishpa, who showed up and did their duty with integrity. This gives hope that your daily faithfulness has lasting value, contributing to the broader work of God in the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Gishpa1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/גִשְׁפָּ֖א1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 11:21
But the temple servants lived in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.
This verse identifies Gishpa as a specific leader over the temple servants, highlighting his role in maintaining worship practices during the restoration.