Bilshan

Bilshan (meaning: son of the tongue or eloquent) was a man of some note who returned from the Babylonian captivity with Zerubbabel and Jeshua in the first great return of exiles to the land of Israel, recorded in both Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7. He is listed among the leaders of the returning community alongside Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiahm Nahamani, Mordecai, and others who led the initial wave of return.

Beyond this single identification as a leader of the returning exiles, nothing further is known of Bilshan. His name appears in both the Ezra and Nehemiah versions of the return list with minor spelling variations, as is common in the parallel genealogical records of the restoration period. His inclusion among the named leaders of the return indicates that he held a position of responsibility in organizing or leading the journey back to Judah, though the nature of his leadership role is not specified. The eloquence suggested by his name may have qualified him for some administrative or representative function in the community.