The Servant of the Temple Who Returned from Exile
Besai is a name found exclusively in the lists of those who returned to Judah from the Babylonian captivity. His identity is tied to the group known as the Nethinims, who were essential servants for the Temple work during the restoration period.
The Status of the Nethinims
The Nethinims (Hebrew: NÄ•thînîm, meaning “the given ones” or “the devoted ones”) were not originally Israelites. They were temple servants, likely descendants of the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:27, KJV) or other non-Israelites captured in war and dedicated to assisting the Levites and priests in the laborious tasks of the Tabernacle and Temple—such as carrying water, chopping wood, and performing menial maintenance.
After the destruction of the Temple by Babylon and the seventy-year exile, the Nethinims maintained their dedicated role.
The Single Scriptural Mention
Besai’s name is found in the list of those who came back with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the spiritual and civil leaders of the first return from Babylon:
“The children of Hagar, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Besai,” (Ezra 2:49, KJV)
“The children of Hagar, the children of Acub, the children of Hatita, the children of Besai,” (Nehemiah 7:51, KJV)
His name is listed among the heads of the family groups of Nethinims who made the difficult journey back to Jerusalem to restore the house of the Lord. The text confirms that the “children of Besai” were one of the recognized family lines among the Nethinims.
The Meaning of the Name
The name Besai (Hebrew: BÄ“say) is generally interpreted to mean “conqueror,” “treading down,” or possibly “my foot,” indicating someone who marches or overcomes. This meaning is fitting for a family that endured the hardships of exile and captivity yet possessed the resilience to undertake the long, dangerous journey back to the Promised Land.
A Lesson in Faithful Service
The inclusion of Besai’s family in the sacred record provides a powerful lesson in God’s acceptance of humble, faithful service:
- Essential Support: Besai’s line proves that the restoration of God’s work requires not only priests and governors, but also dedicated support staff—those who perform the necessary, often uncelebrated, physical labor that makes spiritual life possible.
- Voluntary Commitment: As Nethinims, the descendants of Besai were not obligated to return to Jerusalem, but they voluntarily chose to leave a life of security in Babylon to serve the God of Israel. Besai is a timeless testament to the fact that God honors the humble, faithful heart, regardless of one’s national origin or societal status.