The Father of the Returning Servants
The Identity: A Figure of the Restoration
Bazluth (or Bazlith) is not an individual whose personal actions are recorded in the Bible. Instead, he is significant because his descendants were among the groups who faithfully returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, marking a critical moment in Israel’s history known as The Restoration.
Bazluth is identified as the progenitor of a family of the Nethinims, or Temple servants, who were tasked with the upkeep and maintenance of the sanctuary. These individuals were essential for the re-establishment of the Temple services after the long period of exile.
The Census: The Return from Babylon
Bazluth’s name appears twice in the historical record, in the census lists taken by Ezra and Nehemiah of those who journeyed back to Judah with Zerubbabel. His family’s inclusion emphasizes the completeness of the return, encompassing not just priests and nobles, but also those humble servants necessary for the worship system:
In the Book of Ezra, the family is listed as Bazlith:
“The children of Baslith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,” (Ezra 2:52, KJV)
In the Book of Nehemiah, the family is listed as Bazluth:
“The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,” (Nehemiah 7:54, KJV)
While the number of people in Bazluth’s direct family who returned is not specified, their inclusion in the official register confirms that they were dedicated to resuming the sacred duties of their ancestors.
The Legacy: Unsung Service
Bazluth represents the quiet, foundational loyalty of the many thousands of Israelites who made the arduous journey back to a ruined city simply for the sake of God’s covenant and the restoration of Temple worship.
The Nethinims were often descended from non-Israelite groups who had been dedicated to service—people whose primary identity was one of servitude and faithfulness to the requirements of the covenant, regardless of their lineage. Bazluth’s children, by returning, demonstrated:
- Perseverance: They did not lose their identity or purpose during seventy years of exile.
- Obedience: They responded to the decree of King Cyrus to return and rebuild.
- Humility: They were willing to resume the less glamorous, but vital, work of temple servitude.
Bazluth’s legacy, though veiled in a single name, speaks volumes about the faithfulness of the unseen servant and the commitment required to restore the physical and spiritual foundations of the chosen people.