Who is…
Zabbai
Meaning: wanderer; pure
This is the name of 2 biblical men, both of whom lived at the time of governor Nehemiah.
Zabbai, son of Bebai
…the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai and Athlai —Ezra 10:28 excerpt
Each of these sons of Bebai are Levite priests who returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon and then wrongfully married foreign wives, as forbidden by God.
Ezra and Nehemiah were horrified at this.
Zabbai, father of Baruch
This man is the father of Baruch, who “earnestly repaired” part of Jerusalem’s ruined wall after the exile in Babylon.
…Baruch the son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the Angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest. —Nehemiah 3:20 excerpt
Nothing more is said about this Zabbai in Scripture.
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Article Version: October 23, 2025