Shabbethai

Shabbethai (meaning "born on the Sabbath" or "Sabbath-rest") was a Levite active in Jerusalem in the era of Ezra and Nehemiah. He is mentioned in three contexts: (1) as one who opposed Ezra's policy requiring the dissolution of foreign marriages (Ezra 10:15 — though the text is ambiguous whether he opposed or supported Ezra); (2) as one of the Levites who helped the people understand the law when Ezra read it publicly (Neh. 8:7); and (3) as a Levitical chief who had oversight over the outside work of the house of God in Jerusalem (Neh. 11:16). He represents the Levitical functionaries who administered temple and community affairs in the post-exilic community.