Zebina
Who was Zebina in the Bible?
A descendant of Nebo who lived during the Post-Exilic Period and was identified among those who had married foreign women after the return from Babylon.
Zebina is a minor biblical figure mentioned exclusively in the book of Ezra. He lived during the late 5th century BC, a critical era of reconstruction and religious reform for the Jewish people following their return from the Babylonian Captivity. His identity is preserved in the genealogical records of those who returned to Jerusalem and were later confronted by the priest Ezra regarding their domestic alliances.
Historically, Zebina is categorized as one of the descendants of Nebo. While the biblical text provides no details regarding his personal life, occupation, or specific actions, his inclusion in the sacred registry serves as a testament to the meticulous record-keeping of the post-exilic community. He represents the broader challenge faced by the returning exiles as they sought to maintain their distinct cultural and religious identity in a multi-ethnic Judea.
Background and Family
Zebina is identified in the Masoretic Text as a descendant of Nebo (Ezra 10:43). The name "Nebo" in this context likely refers to a town in Judah rather than a specific patriarch, as many of the lists in Ezra and Nehemiah organize individuals by their ancestral village. The name Zebina itself is derived from the Aramaic root zeban, meaning "bought" or "purchased." This etymological root was common in the Semitic world of the mid-to-late first millennium BC.
Zebina appears within a list of seven men associated with the lineage of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. Beyond this familial and geographic association, the Bible provides no specific information regarding his parents, his tribe, or his immediate household.
Major Life Events
The sole mention of Zebina occurs during the administrative and spiritual reforms of Ezra the Scribe around 458 BC. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Ezra was informed that many of the returnees—including leaders and laypeople—had intermarried with the surrounding pagan populations (Ezra 9:1-2). This was viewed as a direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which forbade such unions to prevent the infiltration of idolatrous practices.
Zebina is listed in Ezra 10 as one of the men who had taken a foreign wife. Following Ezra’s public prayer and the subsequent communal assembly, a commission was established to investigate these marriages. Zebina was among those who were required to separate from their foreign wives and children as an act of repentance and purification for the nation. The text does not record his personal reaction to this decree, only his presence in the official ledger of those involved.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Zebina’s relationships are defined primarily by his contemporaries in the list of Nebo’s descendants. He is grouped with Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. While they are listed together, the text does not specify if they were brothers or cousins; they are simply "descendants" (bene) of the same ancestral line. His life is defined by the leadership of Ezra, whose strict adherence to the Torah forced Zebina and his peers to make difficult domestic decisions to preserve the sanctity of the covenant community.
Spiritual Significance
In biblical scholarship, figures like Zebina represent the tension of the Post-Exilic Period: the struggle between cultural assimilation and religious holiness. His name is preserved not for a heroic deed or a prophetic word, but as a record of a man who participated in the national restoration and subsequently underwent a painful process of purification. To the original readers of Ezra, his inclusion served as a sobering reminder of the requirements of the covenant and the necessity of maintaining the distinctiveness of the people of Israel amid the pressures of the surrounding nations.
The theological importance of Zebina lies in his inclusion in the list of those who sought to rectify their standing before God during Ezra's reforms. His presence in the biblical canon underscores the reality that the restoration of Israel was not merely about rebuilding walls or the Temple, but about the individual and collective obedience of the people to the Law of Moses. By listing even minor figures, the text emphasizes that every household was accountable for the spiritual health of the nation.
Zebina serves as a historical marker for the challenges of the return from exile. His story reflects the difficult social cost of spiritual renewal, as individuals were called to prioritize their covenantal obligations over their familial ties. In the broader narrative of Ezra, Zebina is a representative of the 'holy seed' that had become mingled, but was subsequently purified through confession and separation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Zebina in the Bible?
Zebina was a descendant of Nebo who lived during the time of Ezra. He is mentioned in a list of men who had married foreign women after returning from the Babylonian Exile.
What does the name Zebina mean?
The name Zebina is likely of Aramaic origin, meaning 'bought' or 'purchased.'
In which book of the Bible is Zebina mentioned?
Zebina is mentioned only once in the Bible, in the book of Ezra, chapter 10, verse 43.
What happened to Zebina's family?
According to the reforms led by Ezra, Zebina and the others listed in Ezra 10 agreed to put away their foreign wives and their children to remain faithful to the Law of Moses.
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Scripture References
All 1 indexed verse, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Ezra · 1
- Ezra 10:43
And from the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.