Zabdiel

Biblical Record

Zabdiel appears only once, in Nehemiah 11:14. Nehemiah 11 lists those among the people who returned after the Babylonian exile and settled in Jerusalem. The people cast lots so that one in ten would live in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:1).

The priestly section of the list (Nehemiah 11:10–14) names in turn the priests and heads of families who were responsible for the work of the temple. At its close the text lists 128 of their brethren, called "mighty men of valour," and records that their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim. This is all the text reports. His age, the specific nature of his duties, and his later life are not recorded.

The same name also appears in 1 Chronicles 27:2. That Zabdiel, however, was the father of Jashobeam, who commanded the division serving in the first month during the reign of David. He is a different person, separated from the Zabdiel of Nehemiah by several centuries.

Significance within Scripture

The term "overseer" (Hebrew paqid) refers to a person placed in charge of a group. In Nehemiah 11 the title is applied to the leaders of several groups. Joel the son of Zichri, who was over the descendants of Benjamin (11:9), and Uzzi, who was over the Levites (11:22), are also called overseers. Zabdiel may therefore be understood as a practical administrator who led one group within the priestly body while the returned community was repopulating and organizing Jerusalem. First Chronicles 9 contains a similar list of Jerusalem's residents, but Zabdiel's name does not appear in it. The New Testament does not mention him.

Interpretations and Debates

• The meaning of "Haggedolim": The Hebrew ben haggedolim can also be read as "son of the great ones." The Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok) and many modern translations render it as the personal name Haggedolim. Other translations, such as the King James Version, render it "the son of one of the great men," meaning that he came from a prominent family.
• The meaning of "mighty men of valour": The phrase may refer to military valor. Other interpreters take it to mean capable men fit to carry out the work of the temple.
• The meaning of the name: "Zabdiel" is interpreted to mean "God has given" or "gift of God."

Beyond these points, the text offers no basis for accounts of his character or life.

In the Korean Church

Zabdiel is rarely treated on his own in sermons or Sunday school lessons. Readers usually encounter him while reading through the Bible, when they come to the list of returnees in Nehemiah.