בֵּצַי
𐤁𐤑𐤉
Betsay
H1209 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Bêtsay is a proper noun designating the name of an Israelite clan leader listed among the returnees from the Babylonian exile. The primary lexical function is as a personal or family name rather than conveying an independent semantic concept. The meaning of the name itself is uncertain due to obscure etymology and the lack of context outside the returnee lists.
Semantic Range
proper noun designating an Israelite clan head or family, name found in genealogical lists, possibly variant spelling of another clan name
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. The name may be linked to the root בצה ('to peel, strip off, lay bare') or alternatively may correlate with the similar form בְּסַי (Besai; see Neh 7:52), but the precise derivation is unclear. Variant spellings in parallel lists (Ezra/Nehemiah) suggest a possible relationship or confusion between families or scribal transmission. Etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name בֵּצַי (Bêtsay) appears in Ezra 2:17 and Nehemiah 7:23 among lists recording Israelite families returning from Babylonian exile, with possible variant spelling as בְּסַי (Besai) in Nehemiah. The individuals or family group referred to were part of the broader Israelite population reconstructing the Jerusalem community in the Persian period. No additional information about the personal or historical identity of 'Bêtsay' is preserved in biblical narrative. English translations sometimes render the name as 'Bezai,' but this representation follows the tradition of transliterating the Hebrew personal name rather than translating any putative meaning. The distinction between 'Bêtsay' and similar names in the lists reflects the challenges of tracking lineage in post-exilic records. No clear theological or cultural significance attaches to the name beyond its genealogical role. Later traditions, including various translations and the KJV, use variants such as 'Bezai' or 'Besai.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps the same as בְּסַי; Betsai, the name of two Israelites; Bezai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1002 | בִּירָה | the citadel |
| H105 | אֲגַרְטָל | bowls of |
| H1081 | בַּלְאֲדָן | Baladan |
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1209-02 |
בֵצָ֔י | vetsay | HNp |
Bezai | Betsay | Betsay | 2 |
H1209-01 |
בֵּצָֽי | betsay | HNp |
Bezai | Betsay | Betsay | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1209-02 |
Ezra 2:17 | בֵצָ֔י | vetsay | HNp |
Bezai | Betsay | Betsay |
H1209-02 |
Nehemiah 7:23 | בֵצָ֔י | vetsay | HNp |
Bezai | Betsay | Betsay |
H1209-01 |
Nehemiah 10:19 | בֵּצָֽי | betsay | HNp |
Bezai | Betsay | Betsay |