Zaccur, descendant of Bigvai
Who was Zaccur in the Bible?
A member of the clan of Bigvai who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra during the second wave of the Jewish restoration.
This is one of 8 people named Zaccur in the Bible. See all 8 →
Zaccur, a descendant of Bigvai, was a Jewish exile who participated in the historic return to Jerusalem under the leadership of the priest and scribe Ezra. His inclusion in the biblical record is found exclusively in the register of those who departed from Babylon to restore the community of Judah around 458 BC.
As part of the house of Bigvai, Zaccur represented a large and significant family group that had maintained its identity during the decades of the Babylonian captivity. His return signifies the ongoing commitment of the Jewish diaspora to resettle the Promised Land and re-establish the religious life of Israel centered on the Second Temple.
Background and Family
Zaccur is identified in the biblical text as a descendant of Bigvai (Ezra 8:14). The name Bigvai is associated with one of the most prominent families among the returning exiles. According to the earlier census in Ezra 2:14, the family of Bigvai numbered 2,056 individuals during the first return under Zerubbabel. By the time of Ezra’s mission in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes I, Zaccur and his kinsman Uthai were chosen to lead a smaller contingent of seventy men from the same ancestral line.
While his specific tribal affiliation is not explicitly stated in the text, the clan of Bigvai is consistently grouped with the lay people of Israel rather than the priests or Levites. This suggests Zaccur was a leader within a significant secular family that played a vital role in the demographic and economic restoration of the province of Yehud.
Major Life Events
The primary event recorded for Zaccur is his journey from the banks of the Ahava Canal to Jerusalem. In Ezra 8, Zaccur is listed among the heads of father’s houses who gathered at the staging area for the trek. This journey was marked by its lack of a military escort; Ezra famously refused a royal guard from the Persian king, choosing instead to rely on divine protection through fasting and prayer. Zaccur, along with Uthai and seventy others from their clan, would have participated in this expression of faith, carrying the gold, silver, and sacred vessels donated by the king and the Babylonian Jews.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Zaccur’s name appears alongside Uthai, another descendant of Bigvai. The text indicates they shared leadership over the seventy men mentioned in Ezra 8:14. As one of the 'heads of the fathers’ houses,' Zaccur operated under the direct authority of Ezra. His presence among the returning group implies a close working relationship with the other family heads mentioned in the list, such as the descendants of Phinehas, Ithamar, and David, all of whom collaborated to ensure the safe passage of the company and the delivery of the temple treasures.
Spiritual Significance
Zaccur represents the 'second wave' of restoration. While the initial return under Zerubbabel in 538 BC laid the foundation of the Temple, Zaccur’s generation, roughly eighty years later, focused on the spiritual and social reform of the community. By leaving a settled life in Babylon to join Ezra, Zaccur demonstrated a commitment to the Law of Moses and the revitalization of Jerusalem. His inclusion in the genealogical registers serves as a testament to the preservation of Israelite identity through the Exile and the fulfillment of the prophetic promises regarding the remnant of Israel.
Zaccur’s significance lies in his role as a representative of the faithful remnant that returned to Zion. Though his individual deeds are not detailed beyond his name and participation in the journey, his presence in the genealogy of Ezra 8 underscores the biblical theme of God preserving specific families through judgment and displacement to ensure the continuation of his covenant people.
Furthermore, Zaccur is a key figure in the logistical success of Ezra’s mission. The return of 1,500 men (plus women and children) required organized leadership among the tribal and familial heads. As a leader of the Bigvai clan, Zaccur was part of the foundational structure that allowed the post-exilic community to transition from a scattered people to a functioning society in Judah.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which book of the Bible is this Zaccur mentioned?
This specific Zaccur is mentioned only in the Book of Ezra, specifically in Ezra 8:14.
What family did Zaccur belong to?
He was a descendant of Bigvai, a prominent family that returned from the Babylonian Exile.
How many men accompanied Zaccur and Uthai?
According to Ezra 8:14, they were accompanied by 70 men from the descendants of Bigvai.
When did Zaccur return to Jerusalem?
Zaccur returned during the second wave of exiles led by Ezra, which occurred around 458 BC during the reign of King Artaxerxes I.
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Scripture References
All 1 indexed verse, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Ezra · 1
- Ezra 8:14
and from the descendants of Bigvai, both Uthai and Zaccur, and with them 70 men.
Others Named Zaccur
Compare all 8 bearers →Zaccur, Father of ShammuaNumbers 13:4
A man of the tribe of Reuben whose son, Shammua, was selected as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan.
Zaccur, Father of HananNehemiah 13:13
The son of Mattaniah and father of Hanan, Zaccur was a man whose lineage provided assistants for the administration of the temple storerooms.
Zaccur, son of ImriNehemiah 3:2
A Jewish returnee from the Babylonian exile who participated in the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah.
Zaccur, Levite Musician of the United Monarchy1 Chronicles 25:2
A prominent Levite musician and son of Asaph who served in the third musical division under King David during the United Monarchy period.
Zaccur, Signatory of the CovenantNehemiah 10:12
A Jewish leader during the time of Nehemiah who signed the solemn covenant to observe God's law after the return from Babylonian exile.
Zaccur, son of Jaaziah1 Chronicles 24:27
A Levite of the clan of Merari who served during the United Monarchy as a listed descendant of Jaaziah.
Zaccur, son of Hammuel1 Chronicles 4:26
A descendant of the tribe of Simeon whose lineage is preserved in the genealogical records of the Divided Monarchy period.