שֹׁבָ֑י (sho.vay)
sho.vay
Shobai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shobai appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, in Ezra 2:42 and Nehemiah 7:45. It is not a theological term but a personal name identifying a specific ancestor during the post-exilic period. The sources indicate that Shobai was the progenitor of a family of temple doorkeepers who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel.
Etymologically, the name likely means "glorious" or "splendor." This meaning fits the context of the returning community, which sought to restore the worship and dignity of the temple. Shobai’s lineage is significant because his descendants held a specific custodial role, guarding the entrances to the sacred space.
These two verses serve as genealogical records rather than narrative accounts. They preserve the identity of families who contributed to the rebuilding effort. By listing Shobai alongside other leaders and workers, the text highlights the organized nature of the restoration community and the importance of hereditary roles in temple service.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shobai is a name that appears only twice in Scripture, tucked away in the genealogical lists of Ezra and Nehemiah. It identifies a family line responsible for guarding the temple gates during the rebuilding of Jerusalem. While the text does not record personal stories or speeches from this ancestor, his inclusion highlights how God values every role in His community.
These records remind us that faithfulness is often found in quiet, consistent service rather than public acclaim. The descendants of Shobai were entrusted with protecting the sacred space where people met God. Their work ensured that worship could continue safely and orderly. This shows that ordinary duties, when done for God’s glory, become part of His lasting story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shobai2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֹׁבָ֑י2×
Key Verses
-
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.
This verse lists Shobai’s descendants among the gatekeepers, showing their specific custodial role in the restored temple community.
-
Nehemiah 7:45
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: one hundred thirty-eight.
Here the list is repeated with a slight variation in number, confirming the continuity of Shobai’s family line in post-exilic service.