Bible Dictionary
Zabbai
Zabbai was the name of a man who had married a foreign wife in Ezra’s time and of the father of Baruch, who helped repair Jerusalem’s wall. The latter name may also appear as Zaccai.
Definition
Zabbai was the name of a man who had married a foreign wife in Ezra’s time and of the father of Baruch, who repaired part of Jerusalem’s wall. The name is of uncertain meaning, though one entry gives “pure.”
Biblical Usage
One Zabbai appears in Ezra’s list of those who had married foreign wives. Another is identified as the father of Baruch in Nehemiah’s account of the repair of Jerusalem’s wall.
Historical Background
The marginal or Qere form in Nehemiah is Zaccai, the same name found in the lists of those who returned from exile. The source notes this textual variation without deciding that the names represent different persons.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Wanderer; pure. (1.) Ezra 10:28. (2.) The father of Baruch, who “earnestly repaired” part of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:20; marg., “Zaccai”).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(pure).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>zab'-a-i, zab'-i ( zabbay, meaning unknown; Zabou):</p><p>(1) One of those who had married foreign wives (Ezr 10:28) = "Jozabdus" of 1 Esdras 9:29.</p><p>(2) Father of Baruch (Ne 3:20). The Qere has zakkay = "Zaccai"of Ezr 2:9; Ne 7:14.</p>