Zabbai

ZABBAI (zăb'ā-ī, Heb. zabbay, meaning unknown) One of the sons of Bebai who put away his foreign wife at the request of Ezra (Ezra.10.28).The father of Baruch (Neh.3.20). ZABBAI zăb’ ī (זַבַּ֥י; LXX Ζαβάδ, Ζαβοὐ, possibly derived from “bestow” as a hypocoristic name, or an abbreviation of zābadya, Yahweh bestowed). 1. A descendant of Bebai who married a foreign wife in Nehemiah’s time and was forced to put her away (Ezra 10:28; 1 Esd 9:29; LXX ̓Ιωζάβδος). 2. Father of Baruch who worked on the wall of Jerusalem (Neh 3:20). The Qeré reads Zakkai (זַכַּ֖י) with several MSS, Vul., and Syr. The name occurs in Ezra 2:9; Nehemiah 7:14, and is the basis of Zacchaeus (NT). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915) zab’-a-i, zab’-i ( zabbay, meaning unknown; Zabou): (1) One of those who had married foreign wives (Ezr 10:28) = "Jozabdus" of 1 Esdras 9:29. (2) Father of Baruch (Ne 3:20). The Qere has zakkay = "Zaccai"of Ezr 2:9; Ne 7:14.